Tire in chain
In some places in Poland, the use of snow chains is mandatory to improve road safety.
Every driver knows that winter tires need to be changed. In some places in Poland, for greater safety, there is a sign requiring the use of anti-skid chains.
Winter tires are designed for specific seasonal conditions, so they are best suited for roads covered in snow, slush, or even ice. Contrary to popular belief, the determining moment for changing summer tires to winter tires is not snowfall, but air temperature.
- The rubber compound of summer tires at temperatures below +7 degrees Celsius becomes less elastic, does not adhere well to the surface, and therefore sticks to the ground less. With a further decrease in temperature, the grip properties of summer tires deteriorate even more, says Marcin Sielski from Tire Service.
All four
Remember that all four tires must be replaced. Fitting winter tires to the drive axle alone will not ensure safety or good performance.
“A car with two winter tires loses traction faster, and therefore more likely to skid, than a car equipped with a set of winter tires,” recalls Selski.
The good driving performance provided by winter tires mainly depends on the operating conditions, but usually decreases significantly after 3-4 years of operation. To increase the life of the tires, they should be regularly changed from one axle to another after a run of about 10-12 kilometers, maintaining the direction of rotation.
Chains in the trunk
It is worth paying attention to the new road sign C-18 “requirement to use snow chains”. The driver must use chains on at least two drive wheels. Such signs may surprise us along the way. Without chains on wheels, we will not be allowed into the designated area.
“Snow chains should not only be worn when the sign requires it,” says Sielsky, “but always when driving in difficult conditions, for example, when driving in the mountains or even on low-lying roads. When the roads are slippery and covered in snow, winter tires alone won't help.
“You have to remember that chains can only be used on snowy and icy surfaces and not, for example, on pavement,” adds Sielski. – Do not exceed “50” while driving. Also, be careful not to run into potholes or high, sharp curbs. After use, the chain should be rinsed with warm water and dried before being placed in the box. Damaged chains must not be used as they may damage the vehicle.
From 110 to 180 PLN
There are no problems with buying chains. The car accessories market offers a variety of domestic and imported products.
The most popular and cheapest are the so-called ladder pattern, i.e. wrap the tire in ten places. In difficult terrain, fly chains are much more effective, forming a so-called diamond pattern that wraps the circle tightly.
A set of two drive wheels with standard chains costs about PLN 110, and a front sight costs about PLN 180. The price of the kit depends on the size of the wheel. Therefore, it is important to know all tire sizes when buying chains.
