"Paul Rooney" > wrote in message
...
> On Sun, 26 Sep 2004 09:51:44 -0700, "Generic" >
> wrote:
>
> >
> >"Paul Rooney" > wrote in message
> .. .
> >> On Sat, 25 Sep 2004 23:36:29 GMT, Lon > wrote:
> >> > Snow tires tend to be of two varieties. The mud and snow will
> >> > typically have rather large tread voids in order to deal with
> >> > deep packed or loose snow. Deep as in several inches. A more
> >> > typical "snow" tire is really an ice tire...with tread compound
> >> > that stays soft at very low temperature, tends to be hydrophilic,
> >> > and will typically have a lot of small cuts or sipes to give more
> >> > gripping edges on ice. The best of these may be almost as good
> >> > as studded tires.
> >> >
> >> > Chains are for severe conditions. Even the cable style will cause
> >> > a lot of vibration. Should be used at very low speeds only.
> >
> >> Thanks.
> >> Can you keep snow tyres on all winter and drive on snow-free roads OK,
> >> or do you have to keep changing them over when you get onto clear
> >> roads?
> >
> >Tires are generally safe on clear roads but the wear, noise and handling
can
> >be worse than a regular street tire. The mud & snow type can be
incredibly
> >loud vs. a street tire. It depends on the particular tire.

> Thanks. What kind of conditions would chains be able to cope with, do
> you know?

The major use for tire chains is on 2wd vehicles in ice and not too deep
snow on paved roads. They give a 2wd the ability to move when it would
otherwise spin its wheels or slide off the road. They'd probably help
somewhat off road, in mud for example, but in practice the people who go far
off road get a specialized 4wd vehicle.]

[Tire chains are thoroughly miserable to use. Traditionally you must lay
them out then drive on top, and attach clips from behind dirty and wet
wheels. In the middle of bad weather on the side of a road. Then you have
to drive a few feet and tighten them or they'll fall off. Then you must go
25mph or less to avoid tire damage, and they can scratch wheels or slap
against the bodywork. When you finish the wet and dirty chains must be
stored somewhere. Some systems have improved on this routine a bit, but
professional chain installation is big business during ski season in places
like Lake Tahoe.]

-John