With the arrival of the winter season, it becomes dangerous to drive on snow-covered roads due to the consistent drop in the temperature. So you will have to take some special steps to prepare your vehicle for safer driving. One common method to prepare for snow and ice is to either use winter tyres or snow chains.

You cannot drive on ice or snow-covered roads if your tyres have no or very low traction, regardless of the potentials of your vehicle. You will have to increase the traction of your tyres to a reliable level before driving on dangerously polished roads during winters, especially on black ice. For this reason, some people prefer to use winter tyres whereas some use snow chains to increase traction and grip to help drive safer in the winter season. Though the purpose of both of these options is to provide you better traction still they are quite different from each other.

Why do you need winter tyres or snow chains

You can expect icy or snow-covered roads across Europe when you go there on a skiing trip during winter. It can be very challenging to drive on these roads unless you have made some special arrangement. You will have to use either winter tyres or snow chains to ensure your safety on snow-covered or icy roads. But in some states, it is mandatory and in some optional. You will have to go through local rules in this regard.

While fitting winter tyres, you should check its condition, depth of its tread and pressure before proceeding to your journey. The minimum tread of though the winter tyres should not be less than 3 mm. it may also differ in different states. In the states where using winter tyres is not necessary the tread of your normal tyres should not be less than 3mm though legally 1.6 mm is valid.

Local rules for using snow chains and winter tyres can be different for visitors and residents so ensure you check with before traveling. If your hiring a car then speak to the hiring company for advice. Rules will differ between countries and vehicles types. For example in Finland a country exposed to extreme winter weather it is mandatory for vehicles weighing less than 3,500 kg to have winter tyres during the winter season of November to April whereas in the UK this is not the case.

To understand the difference between winter tyres and snow chains we will discuss them in more detail below.

Winter tyres

Tyres that are specially designed to be used in cold weather are known as winter tyres. They provide an effective grip on road even at less than 7 degrees C temperature because they are made from a rubber compound that is softer than the compound used in making regular or summer tyres. These tyres can be used not only on snowy surfaces but also in all types of cold weather conditions. Normally two types of winter tyres are used during the cold season; studded and non-studded.

Let us go through the pros and cons of both types of winter tyres to know them more closely.

Pros – Studded Winter Tyres

During winter season studded winter tyres offer excellent quality traction on the road. These tyres have metal studs that provide better grip on the ice or snow than non-studded winter tyres. They are very dependable while driving on deceitful roads during winter as they provide better handling and traction. On compacted snow the ice studs on the surface of these tyres provide additional points to contact the road.

Cons – Studded Winter Tyres

These tyres can be damaging for the dry surfaces. So they should be used only while driving on slippery roads. In some countries and states, it is illegal to use these tyres during certain months of a year. They are a costly option than non-studded tyres. You have to bear the cost of installing and uninstalling them professionally.

Pros – Non-Studded Winter Tyres

Just like studded tyres, non-studded tyres also provide superb traction to perform wonderfully on ice and snow-covered roads. They are multi-purpose tyres as along with ice and snow-covered roads they can also be used effectively on dry roads without damaging them.

Cons – Non-Studded Winter Tyres

Though their price is less than studded tyres still they are costly when compared to regular tyres. You will have to bear the cost of installing and uninstalling them before and after the winter season. Their grip on deep snow is not very effective.On dry surfaces, they can wear out faster

Snow chains

In the winter season you may have come across chains wrapped around the normal tyres of the car, these chains are called snow chains and they help to improve the traction of a vehicle on ice or snow-covered roads. These chains are designed particularly for driving in dangerous road conditions. With the clearance of snow or ice, you will have to remove these chains.

Pros – Snow Chains

People usually like to use snow chains to drive during the winter season because of their considerably less price than winter tyres of any type. They provide a great amount of traction on all types of snow including packed snow, ice or deep snow, etc. They can be installed and uninstalled easily without hiring a professional service

So, if you do not need a typical type of traction or driving during winter momentarily then snow chains can be the best option for you.

Cons – Snow Chains

It is not advisable to drive on dry surfaces with snow chains on your tyres as it will damage the dry surface and inside the vehicle, you may experience a bumpy ride and with the ride making you feel like your bones are rattling. While using snow chains you will have to drive at speed but it can be damaging for your vehicle if your drive with snow chains at a faster speed. Snow chains should be used only when it is entirely necessary.

Price of winter tyres

The prices of winter tyres vary between approximately £60 and £250 depending upon the brand of the manufacturer and the type of vehicle for which you are buying them.

Price of snow chains

The prices of snow chains can vary between approximately £10 per piece and £70 for 2 pieces depending upon the type of chain and their manufacturers.

Summary

Whether you use snow chains or winter tyres, studded or non-studded, you should consider their pros and cons before choosing one as they may not be suitable for the lifestyle of everyone. Even after using winter tyres or snow chains you should drive carefully and safely on snow-covered or icy roads as your life is more precious than any other thing.