Discussion
At risk of sounding extremely girly and useless, anyone got any tips for a first time snow chain user?
I've the damn things for years (living in the arse end of Cumbria and Northumbria, it just seemed right to have them in the boot) and have always ensured that they fit the current car and I can fit them, but I've never actually driven with them on. However, tomorrow I need to get to a fairly remote place in Northumberland and suspect I'll be using them for the first time.
Is is just a case of take it slow etc? Or is there an amazing driving skill which I need/can master?
Cheers - the girly and useless one!
Edit - I can't spell either.
I've the damn things for years (living in the arse end of Cumbria and Northumbria, it just seemed right to have them in the boot) and have always ensured that they fit the current car and I can fit them, but I've never actually driven with them on. However, tomorrow I need to get to a fairly remote place in Northumberland and suspect I'll be using them for the first time.
Is is just a case of take it slow etc? Or is there an amazing driving skill which I need/can master?
Cheers - the girly and useless one!
Edit - I can't spell either.
Edited by geordieracer on Sunday 28th November 17:03
It's dead easy really. Take it steady, no F1 launches and keep your speed down (if a snowchain lets go when you're doing 60 you'll know about it 
), and take them off as soon as the snow is thin / you can justify it or you'll be ruining the tarmac beneath it and risk destroying your chains too, so get them off when you think it's safe to do so.
One of the huge plus points with the Snow-sock type things are they're soft so you can't really damage anything like you can with chains!
I've not really seen much snow in the North East that warrants the use of chains though, keep your momentum up and drive smooth and most of the main roads are fine - certainly not chain worthy, I've been out playing in it all day
), and take them off as soon as the snow is thin / you can justify it or you'll be ruining the tarmac beneath it and risk destroying your chains too, so get them off when you think it's safe to do so.One of the huge plus points with the Snow-sock type things are they're soft so you can't really damage anything like you can with chains!
I've not really seen much snow in the North East that warrants the use of chains though, keep your momentum up and drive smooth and most of the main roads are fine - certainly not chain worthy, I've been out playing in it all day
Thanks for the sound advice folks, believe me, I'm well aware that I'll never be invincible in my shed - a 15 year old diesel ZX - but its ok in the snow - how I miss the disco!
Unfortunately I really am going to the arse end of no-where tomorrow and can't postpone; then up to Alston in the Pennines, so I'm anticipating the worst, and hoping for the best, or at least that the roads aren't too hellish - though am getting reports of the A1 being a nightmare again today. I'm also expecting to walk the final part of my journey to work, as a tiny B-road will have seen no attention at all.
Unfortunately I really am going to the arse end of no-where tomorrow and can't postpone; then up to Alston in the Pennines, so I'm anticipating the worst, and hoping for the best, or at least that the roads aren't too hellish - though am getting reports of the A1 being a nightmare again today. I'm also expecting to walk the final part of my journey to work, as a tiny B-road will have seen no attention at all.
Just be slow and smooth. Pack latex gloves and a jacket you don't mind getting dirty for when you are fitting them and a bin bag for putting them in after you take them off. After you've used them give them a wash and let they dry before you pack them away. Pack a head torch if it's going to be dark when you fit or remove them. They're easy to tangle and hard to untangle when you can't see what you're doing. Ask me how I know this. 
Edited for spelling init.
Edited for spelling init.
Edited by gingerpaul on Sunday 28th November 17:50
I drove to Hampshire from Wiltshire last year during the downpour with chains on my 156, the po had them for a trip to Switzerland.
They are fine in deep snow, drive slowly and don't wheels spin if you can help it, especially on thin snow. Mine snapped doing this going over a metal drain I didn't see. Cue lots of noise from rattling chain ends.
Work wonders where a normal tyre would be useless like up hills but as said aren't the be all...
They are fine in deep snow, drive slowly and don't wheels spin if you can help it, especially on thin snow. Mine snapped doing this going over a metal drain I didn't see. Cue lots of noise from rattling chain ends.
Work wonders where a normal tyre would be useless like up hills but as said aren't the be all...
Some tips;
> check that they're not tangled before you set off.
> when you take each chain out of the box make sure there are no tangles.
> Leave the engine running and side and centre vents running at full power and as hot as possible.
> try pull over and put them on early - it will be easier to find a place which will be drying and probably safer.
> pull them on as tight as you can.
> If your hands start to get cold, stop and get in the car and warm your hands up on the vents - the final tensioning stage is tricky at the best of times let alone with cold fingers and catching the hook through
your finger is really not pleasant.
> drive 500m and then pull over and pull them even tighter.
> drive with your window a little open listening to the chains - if you hear them start to rattle or make an odd noise they're either loose (so pull over and retighten) or your driving too fast.
> keep your speed down - 50kmh tops.
> losely hold with wheel, it will vibrate like hell but don't try and stop it.
remember they are not a "cure all"... chains on when you don't need them is also a nightmare(such as on moist tarmac where they're like driving on marbles)
> when you remove them throw them onto the floor several times to get all of the snow off.
make sure you put them away untangled, I'll try and explain the technique here;
> loop the cable round so it forms 2 circles about 6" in diameter and connect the ends of the cable.
> Let all of the chains hang down.
Position all chains over the centre of the case and then rotate the cables so that the chains rest in the middle of the box.
> This should make sure that the chains don't get tangled.
> check that they're not tangled before you set off.
> when you take each chain out of the box make sure there are no tangles.
> Leave the engine running and side and centre vents running at full power and as hot as possible.
> try pull over and put them on early - it will be easier to find a place which will be drying and probably safer.
> pull them on as tight as you can.
> If your hands start to get cold, stop and get in the car and warm your hands up on the vents - the final tensioning stage is tricky at the best of times let alone with cold fingers and catching the hook through
your finger is really not pleasant.
> drive 500m and then pull over and pull them even tighter.
> drive with your window a little open listening to the chains - if you hear them start to rattle or make an odd noise they're either loose (so pull over and retighten) or your driving too fast.
> keep your speed down - 50kmh tops.
> losely hold with wheel, it will vibrate like hell but don't try and stop it.
remember they are not a "cure all"... chains on when you don't need them is also a nightmare(such as on moist tarmac where they're like driving on marbles)
> when you remove them throw them onto the floor several times to get all of the snow off.
make sure you put them away untangled, I'll try and explain the technique here;
> loop the cable round so it forms 2 circles about 6" in diameter and connect the ends of the cable.
> Let all of the chains hang down.
Position all chains over the centre of the case and then rotate the cables so that the chains rest in the middle of the box.
> This should make sure that the chains don't get tangled.
Edited to try and make it more readable
Edited by Marcellus on Sunday 28th November 17:53
Practise in comfort first. They can be tricky to fit even on a nice warm sunny day. It can be terrifying trying and struggling to fit them at the side of the road with with very cold numb fingers and cars slipping and sliding all around. I'd also take a snow shovel because its no fun clearing snow from around the tyres with your hands. Your are supposed to stop after a short distance and recheck them.
I have spikes spiders snow chains and these are self centering and fit in an instant by attaching to a mounting plate that is fitted at the start of the winter. I hate fitting standard snow chains and it makes sense for me as I live in the Alps.
I have spikes spiders snow chains and these are self centering and fit in an instant by attaching to a mounting plate that is fitted at the start of the winter. I hate fitting standard snow chains and it makes sense for me as I live in the Alps.
Gassing Station | General Gassing [Archive] | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff