Where do you put snow tire chains if you have only one pair?
Snow chains on front or rear axle - what is best?
Sure, you should have 2 pair - but what if you have only one set?
Allow me a word about traction first:
A car needs traction for 4 things: lateral stability, acceleration, steering and braking.
4WD gets you 100% more traction than 2WD. Good!
We all know, rubber tires on snow and ice have very little traction.
So, in 4WD you get 100% more of very little. That isn't much!
It might be enough to get you over the snowy pass. Definitely it is not enough to be really safe. Only aggressive steel tire chains put between the tire and the surface of the road increase traction to a truly safe level.
Only tire chains increase traction of rubber tires on snow and ice significantly!
Back to the question, what happens when you mount tire chains on either front or rear?:
On 4WD vehicles:
- Snow chains mounted on all 4X with 4WD/AWD - ideal lateral stability, perfect acceleration, crisp steering, super braking. However, part time systems will show some understeer (turns are wider than intended). Full time 4WD systems are best. This is what everyone should have for snow and ice. Be careful anyway.
- Snow chains mounted on front axle with 4WD/AWD - good acceleration, good steering, good braking. However, since the rear wheels have no lateral guidance, the rear end might come around - fast. Not good. Feather your brakes. Go slow.
- Snow chains mounted on rear axle with 4WD/AWD - good acceleration, lousy steering (no lateral guidance), marginal braking (remember, 80% of brake force is created at front wheels and without chains that ain't happening). No fishtailing. Best compromise for 4WD with only one pair of chains. Go slow.
Attention: Since some of the automatic AWD systems are marketed as 4WD or AWD, placement of snow chains has to follow different rules - check with your owners manual for correct procedure.
Here is what happens when you mount tire chains on either front or rear:
On 2WD vehicles:
(front wheel drive)
- Chains mounted on front axle - good acceleration, good steering, good braking. However, since the rear wheels have no lateral guidance, the rear end will come around. Not good. Feather your brakes. Go slow.
- Chains mounted on rear axle - almost no acceleration, bad steering, so so braking. No fishtailing. Not useful.
(rear wheel drive)
- Chains mounted on front axle - almost no acceleration, good steering, good braking. However, since the rear wheels have no lateral guidance, the rear end will come around. Not good. Not useful.
- Chains mounted on rear axle - good acceleration, bad steering, so so braking. No fishtailing. Not useful.
Reposted From:
rubicon-trail.com
Reference Links:
Why you should have 2 pairs of snow tire chains
4WD and AWD systems explained
Tire chains vs snow tires comparison
Google search
Find Your Tire Size for snow chains - How to read your sidewall
Find snow chains for your vehicle on Amazon.com
Warning: Driving in the snow or ice or off-road conditions is potentially dangerous regardless of the devices or equipment installed on a vehicle. The information listed in this web site does not hold its author or representatives liable for any damage or injuries sustained.
SEE ALSO:
Preparing Your Vehicle for an Emergency