QOTD: Have winter tires made chains obsolete?

"No, I don't thank you for the fish at all" (notindetroit) 01/11/2014 at 12:12 • Filed to: QOTD, winter tires

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Winter tires are a wonderful thing. They give you enhanced stopping power, traction, and safety margin on slick roads and when the temperature dips. Though many winter tires still use some form of stud technology, many (if not most) winter tires achieve their magical properties through a combination of specialized rubber formula and siping pattern. This means that, in a pinch, you can run them when weather gets warm and dry and even throughout the spring and summer if needed - which in turn means you don't have to haul a set of summer tires to the shop, or change your own tires when good weather shows up for a few days.

Chains, not so much. Once the only true form of winter driving technology, they're heavy, awkward, and damage dry roads. Though still necessary for certain driving conditions (namely if you drive a semi through I-70 over the Rocky Mountains and Sierra-Nevadas) I think the average automotive consumer can get away with bypassing these altogether for a good set of winter rubber.

So what does Oppo think? Agree or disagree?

anonsagainstanonymous > No, I don't thank you for the fish at all 01/11/2014 at 12:23

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You should definitely have snow tires when you drive on snow, but you should also have chains with you. They don't cost a fortune. Just keep them in the trunk for bad situations along with a shovel.

davedave1111 > No, I don't thank you for the fish at all 01/11/2014 at 12:27

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Unless you live somewhere you can put actual snow tyres on your car, then no, snow chains aren't obsolete. Winter tyres are not the same thing as snow tyres, although obviously they handle snow much better than summer tyres or all-seasons. Until you're looking at the most extreme snow tyres, chains will still offer more grip than even good snow tyres - although that's not something most people are likely to need.

In general, it still makes sense to carry a set of chains - which aren't expensive and last forever - for the rare extremes, so you can use a tyre less compromised towards the extreme conditions and more all-round usable.

bikesandcars > No, I don't thank you for the fish at all 01/11/2014 at 12:28

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Agree.

On a related note my parents are from Los Angeles and the only winter driving they've ever done is in the local mountains where chains are MANDATORY once it snows (good luck trying to convince the CHP your snow tires are enough). When I lived in the south they did everything short of purchase me chains for the winter thinking that was the ONLY way to drive in the snow. They still don't believe me when I tell them barely anyone uses chains in the rest of the country.

NinetyQ > No, I don't thank you for the fish at all 01/11/2014 at 12:34

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With unlimited funds, I'd run a winter or snow tire throughout the winter mounted on their own wheels and with chains in the trunk (though I don't think I'd ever actually need them). Then I'd switch to summer compound tires on the stock wheels.

But my funds don't allow for it. All-seasons on both of my cars get me through winter acceptably well.

I live in lake-effect-snow-prone northern Indiana for reference.

banjo cat ghost of oppo past > No, I don't thank you for the fish at all 01/11/2014 at 12:48

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Pfft fuck no they haven't.

I've invested in snows on every one of my fwd, awd, car coupe or SUV I've ever owned much to the detriment of my wallet.

However in rural parts of North Dakota where half my family is from (and no one bitches about -30F weather) not everyone can buy snow's but they all have chain's and battery/coolant heaters...much to the detriment of road quality.

One of those blizzard drives you mention down I70 with hard pack snow, 9 inches of fresh snow outside the tracks and still falling I wished to god I had chains on my Audi Coupe.

That counted double for all the amazing assholes in SUVs still trying to go the speed limit and visibly sliding sideways while pushing me to 50-55 when 40-45 still had people going off the road

Modern snow chains are easier than ever to put on and trust me its a shitty idea to spend longer than you absolutely have to on your snow tires. If only for the fact they will wear out to near uselessness in about 2 years or less if kept on all season.

Bonhomme7h > No, I don't thank you for the fish at all 01/11/2014 at 12:49

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I live in Quebec and I only know one (1) person who still use chains, on a 2WD panel van that have to climb a steep mountain road to get to is chalet. I know that they were more common in the last century before winter tires where popularized but they have virtually disappeared now. Yes, obsolete is the right term.

desertdog5051 > No, I don't thank you for the fish at all 01/11/2014 at 13:06

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In the mountain states, chains are necessary in some areas. Even required in some cases.

My hovercraft is full of eels > desertdog5051 01/11/2014 at 13:23

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Same in hilly countries here in Europe. They won't even let you into Austria without chains (OK, in theory, since there are no border checkpoints).

And they know a little about harsh winters and high mountains...

HammerheadFistpunch > desertdog5051 01/11/2014 at 16:01

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Most places in Utah that restrict are "4x4 or snow chains required" and they will check for winter appropriate rubber on really bad days. No mountain snowflake symbol? go home.

911e46z06 > No, I don't thank you for the fish at all 01/11/2014 at 17:41

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Nope.

Giles007 > No, I don't thank you for the fish at all 01/12/2014 at 01:41

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I live in Canada and have never seen or heard of anyone putting chains on their tires (I did see them on a tractor once). Maybe it's because I'm from the prairies. Are these used solely in mountainous regions?

kanadanmajava1 > No, I don't thank you for the fish at all 01/12/2014 at 08:16

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The chains aren't used much here in Finland. Our company's forklift has them during icy season but not many road going things. Some military trucks seem to have them with them for really bad situations (or at least they had during my service time).

But we have these things. They outclass any M+S tire in icy conditions. The shown model is probably the best studded tire available.