30% more traction sounds ... Really bad.
Aren't real snow chains more like 300% more traction in the right conditions, since regular tyres offer basically no traction?
Automatic snow tires throw chains at your wheels [video]
21–30 of 135 posts
Re: Automatic snow tires throw chains at your wheels [video]
#22Earlier quoted context omitted.
Doesn't seem rougher than normal chains
Maybe slightly as the chain is slung under the tire so it's travelling faster than it would otherwise just being mounted onto the tire?
The chain gets compressed between the tire and the ground. It can’t really have a much different speed than the tire itself.
Re: Automatic snow tires throw chains at your wheels [video]
#23These have been common in North America for large trucks operating in snowy places for decades - school buses, dump trucks, etc. Handy because you don't have to stop/get out/interrupt service - just flip a switch and you've got improved traction!
I've seen them mostly on local (Boston area) fire trucks.
Re: Automatic snow tires throw chains at your wheels [video]
#24These have been common in North America for large trucks operating in snowy places for decades - school buses, dump trucks, etc. Handy because you don't have to stop/get out/interrupt service - just flip a switch and you've got improved traction!
It seems like one of those things that's probably more common than you think, given that you'd have to pay very close attention and know what you're looking for to see them in use.
Re: Automatic snow tires throw chains at your wheels [video]
#25Granted a passenger car is not a heavy truck or bus, but living in the upper Midwest, I've learned that snow tires make a huge difference for winter driving. I'd heard the folklore that snow tires are more important than all wheel drive for handling on both snow and ice, and having used them for a few years now, I'm a believer. So called "all season" tires are not snow tires.
You can get a complete set of snow tires, mounted and balanced on rims, delivered to your door by Tire Rack (no relationship, just a happy customer). If you don't want to change the tires yourself, there are shops that will change them out and store them for you.
Re: Automatic snow tires throw chains at your wheels [video]
#26They look like they would improve traction while moving, but when braking I could see the chains slipping out from under the tires letting the vehicle slide. Not fun on icy roads. Seems like a great solution for light snow/mild ice but I would not want to trust my life to these in harsh conditions.
That's a fair question, though I would guess that, unless the wheel is locked, it is no more likely to slip out under braking traction than driving traction. That figure may well be higher than for fitted chains or studded tires.
AWD has the characteristic of improving driving traction while doing very little for braking or steering, as demonstrated by the guy who passed us and then rear-ended the mail delivery van.
Re: Automatic snow tires throw chains at your wheels [video]
#27Granted a passenger car is not a heavy truck or bus, but living in the upper Midwest, I've learned that snow tires make a huge difference for winter driving. I'd heard the folklore that snow tires are more important than all wheel drive for handling on both snow and ice, and having used them for a few years now, I'm a believer. So called "all season" tires are not snow tires. You can get a complete set of snow tires,…
Snow tires are great but they really don't help with ice. The only reliable ice traction in my experience are tire chains or studs.
Re: Automatic snow tires throw chains at your wheels [video]
#28Granted a passenger car is not a heavy truck or bus, but living in the upper Midwest, I've learned that snow tires make a huge difference for winter driving. I'd heard the folklore that snow tires are more important than all wheel drive for handling on both snow and ice, and having used them for a few years now, I'm a believer. So called "all season" tires are not snow tires. You can get a complete set of snow tires,…
Snow tires are great but they really don't help with ice. The only reliable ice traction in my experience are tire chains or studs.
They do help even on ice compared to all seasons or summer tires: https://youtu.be/GlYEMH10Z4s?t=39. Studs definitely are better on ice, but cause issues on dry pavement and may be illegal to use depending on the state and time of year.
Re: Automatic snow tires throw chains at your wheels [video]
#29Granted a passenger car is not a heavy truck or bus, but living in the upper Midwest, I've learned that snow tires make a huge difference for winter driving. I'd heard the folklore that snow tires are more important than all wheel drive for handling on both snow and ice, and having used them for a few years now, I'm a believer. So called "all season" tires are not snow tires. You can get a complete set of snow tires,…
Snow tires are great but they really don't help with ice. The only reliable ice traction in my experience are tire chains or studs.
This is such a common statement from people who don't own winter tires.
Re: Automatic snow tires throw chains at your wheels [video]
#30Earlier quoted context omitted.
Snow tires are great but they really don't help with ice. The only reliable ice traction in my experience are tire chains or studs.
They do help even on ice compared to all seasons or summer tires: https://youtu.be/GlYEMH10Z4s?t=39 . Studs definitely are better on ice, but cause issues on dry pavement and may be illegal to use depending on the state and time of year.
I've used all kinds of traction tires in real world conditions over the years and say otherwise. Yes, brand new snow tires are far better than all seasons on ice. But after a few months the soft rubber on them will deteriorate and they're just the same as all season, but now with the added 'benefit' that you have no idea this has happened until you try to brake on ice and it doesnt grip as well anymore. I honestly think snow tires on ice do more harm by making people without winter driving experience overconfident in their abilities (same problem with AWD).
That said snow tires are still spectacular and necessary in snow. I buy and use snow tires every winter season. They are invaluable. I just am saying don't drive with them on ice and expect to have any better traction.
In real ice events/situations the tire chains come out or you just stay off the road, it's that simple. No amount of perceived driver skill, AWD techno buzzwords, etc. will save you on ice--you need hardened steel cutting into the ice.