Should you use snow chains in the UK?
Snow chains can make all the difference on wintry roads, but are they a worthwhile investment?
While the UK isn’t renowned for its fabulous weather, we do usually manage to avoid regular snow dumps in most of the country. However, we do face the threat of blizzards from time to time, and drivers living in northern England or Scotland, and on higher ground more generally, are certainly more likely to encounter heavy snowfalls.
If you’re in one of those areas, and especially if you live off the beaten track, where gritters rarely venture, it may be that buying snow chains is a useful option.
They’re quite a rarity here, but snow chains are used widely elsewhere in Europe. In fact, you need them by law in certain countries, including Austria, France and Germany where taking to the road without them could lead to a hefty fine. So if you drive on skiing holidays, or travel for other reasons, buying a set of snow chains might actually be essential.
For those staying at home in the UK, the case for snow chains is typically more limited, and for most people a set of winter tyres would be more appropriate for the conditions they’re likely to meet.
Snow chains: how do you fit them?
If you decide that snow chains are essential, you must know how to fit and remove them easily, and when; you can only use them in deeper snow and not on exposed tarmac, which in some scenarios could mean you have to fit and remove them multiple times in one journey.
First of all, of course, it’s important to make sure your vehicle is compatible with snow chains. If you have wide, low-profile tyres, then snow chains may not fit over the rubber, and if you have a low-riding vehicle then chains could interfere with and damage the bodywork or even brake or suspension parts. Seek expert advice about your particular vehicle.
If you fit snow chains to your car, you must take them off immediately when you reach a road that’s been gritted or otherwise cleared. Doing this repeatedly can be a nuisance, but it’s important to avoid the risk of damage.
Driving with snow chains on
Fitting snow chains to your car doesn’t mean that you can drive like you normally would in the summer. They won’t stop you from getting into difficult situations if you drive too quickly, for example. Ideally, you shouldn’t go above 30mph, and you must make sure you take bends slowly. Always be gentle with acceleration and braking.
One of the best things to do when fitting and using snow chains is to refer to your owner’s manual for the most effective way to use them in the winter.
Snow chains: alternatives
Snow socks are a cheaper, less bulky alternative to snow chains, but they are used in the same conditions. They are textile liners fitted over the wheel and tyre to give improved grip on ice and snow.
Snow socks are easier to fit and remove than snow chains and offer improved grip over a standard summer tyre. As with snow chains, though, socks must be removed from the car when you come to a clear piece of tarmac.
It must also be noted that snow socks are not an approved alternative to snow chains in parts of Europe where signs dictate the use of snow chains in adverse weather conditions.
Verdict on snow chains: do you need them?
Snow chains are generally used less in the UK than elsewhere in Europe due to our general lack of snow, and the policy of gritting and clearing major roadways. It’s the quieter, more remote roads where snow chains could come in handy, because they must only be fitted where the road surface is covered by a layer of compacted snow or ice.
The scope for using snow chains in the UK is therefore limited to more rural areas, often at higher altitudes, where thick blankets of snow cause big problems for people trying to get around.
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