Composite 'Snow Chains' by Michelin

Here are some photos to illustrate the key points. First the A3's original-equipment 'summer'



versus winter tyre for the same Audi A3



The obvious difference is that the winters have more and deeper grooves and 'sipes'. Not only do they grip snow better (actually, by trapping snow in the grooves and getting snow-on-snow traction) but also disperse water better. Not so obvious is the significantly more 'grippy' compound used which starts to make a difference below 7ºC - which is useful even in a non-snowy British winter.

And here is the inside of the front wheelarch, showing the suspension and brakes alongside the inner side of the winter wheels/tyres. It's the passenger-side wheel, viewed facing the rear of the car.



Most conventional chains have a substantial, rotating element on the inner side of the wheel/tyre: Here, roughly where you see the 'Michelin' text. These are the winter wheels and tyres, which are 10mm narrower than the summer ones, and given the chains need 25mm, still leave enough space for the chain assembly to rotate as the suspension moves.

For the Peugeot 206, I'm fortunate that the narrower wheels leave plenty of space to fit chains, whether they're carrying summer or winter tyres.

Hi again skiers from far away. I really enjoy reading this forum as it provides a totally different point of view on subjects as i would expect to get form home.

As I prepare for my 5th trip from the prairies of Western Canada into the Rockies since the beginning of December(I only live 100knm away, so it's not really that big a deal), I recall reading all the technical information posted on this forum explaining the merits of chains and winter tyres.

My trip usually starts on snow and ice covered roads, transition to bare highways and then back to covered roads once I get to the foothills, then anything goes once you hit the Rockies. My first trip started in -25c temps and the last one was +5. So I tend to get a mixture of everything.

It has occurred to me the discussion here is solving the wrong problem. The question asked is what is the best technology for my wheels in the winter. It should really be: how do I drive in winter conditions to be as safe as possible. Two different questions.

There is a saying here, Having a 4X4 just gets you twice as stuck. Here, they are usually taking about a truck, not an AWD passenger car.

So I'll put it out there. Your ability to drive in winter conditions, which comes from experience and common sense far outweighs the best tyres and gadgets used to make them grip better in winter conditions. All I have to do is watch "new Canadians" try to navigate our winters to convince me of that.

Conditions suck so far this season, but it still beats working!!!

Have fun!!

CanadianSkier wrote:It has occurred to me the discussion here is solving the wrong problem. The question asked is what is the best technology for my wheels in the winter. It should really be: how do I drive in winter conditions to be as safe as possible. Two different questions.

I see where you're coming from (Canada - you lucky, lucky person), but...

Perhaps if you're a driving God then the technology becomes less important, but most of us aren't... 8)

You're certainly right to highlight the skills to drive in winter, but those are not easily acquired in places like the UK (particularly the South) where we might only see snow on our roads 1 winter in 3. The big fat tyres so vital for doing the school run in your X5 in British Summertime will be taking you straight to the scene of a big accident on a snowy mountain switchback...

There are two different questions ("how do I drive" and "what do I take"), but your best chance of staying safe will be knowing good answers to both.

Part of the answer to "how do I drive in winter conditions to be as safe as possible", necessarily includes knowing how best to equip your car... and chains, tyres and "composite snow chains" are all something we should be familiar with (and understand when they're appropriate / required) if we're going to be driving to the mountains.

This morning, as predicted in other forum conversations and perfectly usual and understandable, we're hearing that the Gendarmes in the Tarentaise are enforcing "Chainage Obligatoire" from the valley... if your vehicle is not properly equipped you won't (shouldn't) be going anywhere... 8)

Canadian Skier, in many European countries, winter tyres are mandatory, it is illegal to drive without them between October 31st and March 31st.
Also, in certain conditions, the police may turn you back, should you not have chains.