Tyre Chains: When You Need Them & How to Fit Them

We’re going to start this particular blog with a disclaimer: if you drive in the UK, the chances are that you will never have a genuine need for tyre chains. This add-on feature is typically required by those who drive in areas of particularly heavy snow and ice, boosting traction and safety as well as minimising the risk of getting stuck.

In this blog, we’re talking you through not just the design and benefits of tyre chains, but also how to fit them and where you might need them. UK drivers should pay particular attention to the international travel and driving regulations in other countries, to ensure they are equipped with what they need when driving overseas.

First though, what exactly are tyre chains and how do they work?

What Are Tyre Chains?

Tyre chains are an add-on feature that enhances the tyre’s ability to grip a particularly snowy or icy road surface. They are fitted to the outside of the tyre and optimise both braking and acceleration, while also minimising the risk of skidding and getting stuck.

In essence, tyre chains replace the tyre tread with regards to friction and traction. They take on the role of establishing contact between the vehicle and the terrain it’s driving on and offer a much more industrial level of grip that digs into the ice or snow.

Tyre chains are recommended in areas of high snowfall and with heavy ice and are an essential requirement for those navigating mountain passes in challenging conditions.

Suffice to say, tyre chains take on much of the heavy lifting when it comes to facilitating reliable traction between tyres and the most challenging terrains and road surfaces. But where do they stand in comparison with standard winter tyres?

How Do Tyre Chains Differ From Standard Winter Tyres?

Winter tyres are much more accessible and are a much more normal option for drivers, especially in temperate climates like the UK where weather extremes are minimal.

Winter tyres are designed to offer stability and superior traction in cold weather and on snowy and icy ground, and do not require any additional installation or add-on feature. Rather, the tread and structure of the tyre is, itself, designed for cold weather.

Tyre chains, by comparison, are more complex and require additional installation time – but the grip they provide is much firmer and more reliable, and their design makes them a more economical option for occasional bad weather.

While we’re on the topic of pros and cons, it’s also worth noting here that while winter tyres are a more flexible solution for cold weather regardless of the presence of snow and ice, tyre chains do not perform well on dry roads. This means that drivers may need to more regularly install and then remove their tyre chains, depending on the weather conditions.

How Are Tyre Chains Fitted?

The process of installing and fitting tyre chains requires several steps, starting with ensuring that you source chains in the right size for your tyres.

Once you’ve got your chains, you need to know the driving configuration of your vehicle – that is, whether it’s a front wheel drive, rear wheel drive, or four wheel drive. Front wheel drive vehicles require chains only on the front tyres, while rear wheel drive vehicles need the rear two tyres fitted with chains, and four wheel drive vehicles require chains on all four tyres.

Finally, chains need to be fitted and then tightened to hold them in place – testing the rigidity with a short test drive. The links of the chains should create small pressure points between the tyre and the ground below, which optimises the friction and level of traction between the two. You will feel this as soon as you try to pull away in the vehicle.

Where and When Are Tyre Chains Required?

There are certain regions and certain seasons when tyre chains are a mandatory requirement, and then there are cases where it’s at the discretion of the driver.

Countries like Norway, Finland, Austria and Andorra cite a mandatory requirement for tyre chains to be fitted during the coldest winter seasons – not just to optimise safety for drivers but to prevent hold-ups on the roads too. Other countries do not have the same mandatory requirement but do require drivers to switch to winter tyres during the colder months and carry tyre chains around in their vehicle for certain circumstances.

In the UK however, tyre chains are not allowed on the roads unless you are driving in an area of particularly thick ice or snow. This tends to occur only in the most northern and remote parts of the UK.

Should I Choose Winter Tyres or Tyre Chains for Adverse Conditions?

The need for tyre chains may vary from one location to another, but the benefits when navigating tricky winter terrain remain consistent. Not only are tyre chains ideal for enhancing the safety attributes of a vehicle by ensuring a good level of grip, but they help facilitate clear handling, braking and acceleration in winter conditions.

Of course, they come with their own limitations. Tyre chains can be clunky to fit, and while versatile in the way they can be fitted then removed, they do not perform well in all winter conditions – rather, they require a very specific blanket of ice and snow to be truly effective.

If you drive in the UK, winter tyres are the best option for you. However, an awareness of tyre chains and their application is necessary for overseas travel across Europe and beyond – so be sure to save and share this blog with friends and family!