Most of the ski centers in the center and south of the country are already open and to access them, for safety, it is important that vehicles are equipped to avoid snowy and icy roads. But what types of strings are there and how do you use them? Here we tell you.
It is said that it will be a good season for the ski resorts and with them hundreds of people will take advantage of it to practice winter sports in the mountains. But before being able to access it, it must be taken into account that, generally, the roads that lead to the various national centers are complex and covered with ice or snow and in this case the use of snow chains is mandatory. Especially after the bad weather front experienced in recent days in various parts of the country.
“Snow chains are very important (compulsory in some cases) for the safety and optimal operation of the vehicle, they will help us to have better grip, better control and better stability of the car. Knowing the attributes and the ways to use them is essential for the proper maintenance of our tires as well as peace of mind when driving on snowy or icy roads”, explains Jorge Gaona, professor at the DUOC UC Maipú School of Engineering and Natural Resources, who adds that “it must be taken into account that any type of chain to be used in our automobile must be manufactured in the climatic conditions for which they were manufactured, that is: snow or ice. Any other surface such as asphalt will significantly alter the condition of the tires and risk losing control, so always install them when on these surfaces.”
But before you get started, you have to know which tires you should mount them on. For example, in a front-wheel-drive vehicle, the driving wheels are those located on the front axle; in rear-wheel-drive vehicles, they are on the rear axle; In the case of all-wheel drive or 4×4 vehicles, the ideal is to do it on all four wheels, but if you only have a pair, we advise you to install them on the front axle.
The ideal time to put this accessory on the tires is just when the snow appears, neither before nor after. If you drive them when the road is clear of snow and ice, you could damage the tires and rims.
The other thing to keep in mind is that the chains have specific measurements for each type of tire, and although they are suitable, to acquire them you must consider that they have different sizes, depending on the measurements of the tires and for this you must pay attention to three elements: diameters, width and profile of the tire.
However, a very common problem when you have never worn this accessory or have little experience is that with the cold and the snow, it costs a little more to do it. The recommendation is to try to rehearse dryly so as not to get involved in a complex situation.
As we have already told you, the first thing you need to know in which powertrain to put them. Then you need to keep in mind, mainly, five points.
The first is to check that the chain does not tangle at any point by closing the hitch and then spreading the chain open on the ground and passing it behind the tire; then, the third point, consists of surrounding the tire with the chain and closing the hook inside to then extend the chain and wind the wheel outwards, while placing it evenly; Finally, you must close the chain and adjust it with the tensioner that will remain outside the rim, fixing the chain from one end of the circumference to the other.
Chains in place, it is recommended to adapt the driving to the road conditions and it is recommended to drive at a speed below 50 km/h and in the highest gear. Obviously, it is essential not to make sudden maneuvers.
For this reason, here we tell you what type of chains there are, their advantages and how to use those that are on the market today, since not all of them adapt equally well to our needs. There are mainly three: metallic, fabric and mesh. However, depending on the type of design and closure, you can find other less common ones, such as semi-automatic, TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) and those called “liquid chains” or spray.
Types of strings
Although the most classic are the metallic ones, today there are more options.
THE metal chains , have links that unite to be installed on the tread and a tensioner (manual or automatic) in the profile or section height of the tire. They’re durable and inexpensive, found where they’re usually rented or specialized, but they’re the noisiest and least comfortable to drive and don’t allow proper use of stability control or ESP.
The prices of these chains will always depend on the dimensions of the tire and their quality. Prices, for example, at Vitepal, a store specializing in car accessories, start at $95,990 (VAT included), although on market sites they can be found from $53,990. Obviously, the price difference will always depend on the brand and quality of the accessories.
THE fabric or textile warps They are appreciated for their lightness and ease of assembly. They are kinder to tires, but they are also less durable than metal links. They are ideal for those who occasionally go in the snow. When driving, they are the softest, ABS and ESP systems work very well with them.
There is a wide range of prices for these channels, starting from $79,000 (VAT included) at Vitelpal or Homecenter they can be found starting at $154,990. Again, this will depend on the size and quality chosen.
Third are the network or composite chains , an intermediate option between metal and fabric. They combine metal cables intertwined and covered with a textile material that promotes grip in delicate conditions. Its assembly is simple and quick, but it requires more strength for its assembly and they are recommended for those who will use them frequently. Like the fabric ones, they are compatible with the use of stability control.
The fourth type of chains are spider or semi-automatic They are made up of two parts: a fixed one which is always installed on the rim and a removable one, this is what we will put on when it is compulsory to put on the chains (they take up a lot of space). Its assembly is fast, they are very effective when there is a lot of snow or ice and their durability is very high. Recommended for very frequent use and for high end vehicles with low profile tires.
Finally there are the liquid chains , as it is called, but it is actually a spray that is applied to the tread of the tire to increase its grip at a specific time. In any case, they are not strongly recommended for use on mountain roads and it is very likely that the road authorities will not allow them to be mounted if the road is covered with a lot of snow, because although they provide better grip, they will not be enough to improve traction on complex roads.
These last three are more complex to find on the national market and can be ordered on foreign sites.
Source: Latercera
I am David Jack and I have been working in the news industry for over 10 years. As an experienced journalist, I specialize in covering sports news with a focus on golf. My articles have been published by some of the most respected publications in the world including The New York Times and Sports Illustrated.
