Chains & Snow Tires Vs. 4-Wheel Drive
Winter driving is always precarious, but there are options available to assist drivers when roads become treacherous. Choosing between trusting four-wheel drive, snow tires or chains can be daunting if you don't know about their features or about your state's regulations. According to Rubicon-Trial.com, there are four areas that must be considered when choosing winter driving safety: stability, acceleration, steering and braking.
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4-Wheel Drive
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The 4-wheel drive vehicles get twice the traction of a 2-wheel drive vehicle. Although 4-wheel drive vehicles can get drivers through treacherous and off-road conditions, they are not sufficient for safely driving in winter conditions. Twice the traction of 2-wheel drive works well, except when those two wheels have no initial traction. The 4-wheel drive vehicles can be combined with other options to improve traction and control, however.
Snow Tires
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Studded snow tires have metal studs that stick out of the tire and are very harmful to the roads on which they are used, unless the road is covered with snow and ice. Metal studded snow tires are not legal in some states. Snow tires without studs have also been designed to eliminate the wear on the road and are a composite of a special rubber that will not harden and freeze during winter temperatures. The tread on snow tires is made to get through the snow without snow building up in the tread. Although snow tires can improve traction and safety in town and on the highway, they do not provide enough traction to get through mountain passes. However, once you change your tires in the winter, you do not have to deal with them again until spring.
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Chains
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Tire chains are cumbersome. They must be put on when traction is needed and removed as soon as the driver has traction again. Chains are often difficult to put on because the driver is out in the weather on the road, with his life in danger from other vehicles. Chains require that the driver not exceed 30 mph, and they have to be the right size for the vehicle, or they will not work. They are inexpensive and provide traction for icy, snowy and slushy roads, where snow tires and 4-wheel drive vehicles can fail.
Chain Options
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Combining snow tires, 4-wheel drive and chains can provide a driver with added security and traction. Snow chains on all four of the 4-wheel drive vehicle's tires provide optimal conditions for winter driving, improving traction, stability and providing acceleration and braking capabilities. Chains on 2-wheel drive vehicles assist with only acceleration, steering and breaking. Combining two or more of the previous winter-driving options may provide a much safer trip in winter weather.
Winter Driving Tips
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Snow tires are best for people who live in an area that has long, harsh winters, where roads are consistently treacherous. If snowy, icy roads are only encountered a few times throughout the year, chains will suffice. Other winter driving tips include keeping the defroster running to avoid unnecessary buildup; drive, turn and break slowly; be sure the chains fit the vehicle, and practice putting them on before they are needed; put sand in the trunk for additional weight; carry a winter emergency kit with gloves, blankets and flashlight. Practice driving in winter conditions. Finally, know your vehicle, and understand your state's regulations about winter driving.
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References
- Photo Credit snowy road image by samantha grandy from Fotolia.com
