Automatic Tyre Chains are a new technology that is becoming more and more popular in the world of tyres. These chains are designed to help drivers keep their tires from spinning when they lose traction on the road.
A snow chain is a device for attaching to the tyres of a vehicle to provide better traction in snow or ice. Snow chains are usually made from metal and rubber. They are often used in mountainous regions where heavy snowfall makes driving difficult. Historically they have always had to be put on manually and it can be a frustrating experience. The driver needs to stop and put the chains on (which can be time consuming) and in the meantime, the weather could worsen further.
Automatic tyre chains are about making driving easier, simpler and safer. Automatic tyre chains could make putting on snow chains manually a thing of the past. It should make it much easier to drive in challenging weather conditions.
This article will explore the different ways that automatic tyre chains can be used, so that drivers can have a better understanding of how they work and what they do.
With technology always advancing, it is no wonder that automatic tyre chains have made their way into the tyre chain market. These tyre chains take away the pain of attaching tire chains in wintry or wet conditions, and can save drivers a lot of time.
Automatic tyre chains can be used on cars, pickup trucks, camper vans, caravans, lorries and buses, and they offer the traction of a single set of conventional snow chains at the touch of the button, which means an end to stopping and getting out of the vehicle to install chains.
To install automatic tyre chains, drivers mount an electric switch to their dashboard, which provides 12 volts to an air solenoid mounted on the vehicle’s frame rail. Compressed air is then supplied from either the vehicle’s onboard air system or via a 12-volt compressor kit. When the dashboard switch is activated, the solenoid opens, thus allowing compressed air to enter the air cylinder and lower the chain wheel so that it contacts the inside of the tyre. The friction between the tyre and the rubber-covered chain wheel then causes the chain wheel to rotate, which creates enough centrifugal force to wave the chains out in front of the tyre. The chain is spaced at 60-degree intervals in sixth lengths on the chain wheel. This guarantees that there are always two chains between the tyre and the road surface, regardless of whether the driver is accelerating or decelerating. The traction is obtained both in forward and reverse modes. When the dashboard switch is turned off, the solenoid exhausts the air, and the chain wheels are brought back to their resting position.
Automatic tyre chains are a great new technology for anyone who wants tyre chains — but does not want the inconvenience or time wasting of getting out of their car and installing the chains in adverse weather conditions. It’s a good idea to have a look at winter readiness during the summer months so you are prepared – you might even be able to bag a bargain out of season!
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