Snow Chains in Ireland?

Nash Bridges

Similar to the studded tyres thread, has anyone ever used snow chains in Ireland? Can buy a cheap set on ebay for ~€40 delivered. These may be a easy solution to the occasional bad weather we get. Should be easier to change than a full set of tyres, however I wonder if these would be any good on icy roads, rather than snow. Anyone have any experience?

Pdfile

thats overkill, its not that bad.


learn to drive a little slower and you'll be grand.

Paulw

I don't think I've ever seen roads in Ireland bad enough for snow chains.

You'll ruin your tyres, ruin the road, never mind the fact it won't improve your driving.

Just learn to drive properly in the conditions. Slow down.

cnocbui

Paulw wrote: »

I don't think I've ever seen roads in Ireland bad enough for snow chains.

You'll ruin your tyres, ruin the road, never mind the fact it won't improve your driving.

Just learn to drive properly in the conditions. Slow down.

So tell me, with a steepish hill covered in ice, how do you get up it in a FWD or rwd car without an LSD or winter tyres fitted to it?

Interested to know what sort of driver skills can improve the friction twixt tyre and ice.

Paulw

cnocbui wrote: »

So tell me, with a steepish hill covered in ice, how do you get up it in a FWD or rwd car without an LSD or winter tyres fitted to it?

Interested to know what sort of driver skills can improve the friction twixt tyre and ice.

You go around?? If you can't go through/over something, there's bound to be a route to go around.

While tyre chains may work in that one instance, the rest of your driving on the road would be a problem.

Are tyre chains even legal to use in Ireland?

cnocbui

Paulw wrote: »

You go around?? If you can't go through/over something, there's bound to be a route to go around.

While tyre chains may work in that one instance, the rest of your driving on the road would be a problem.

Are tyre chains even legal to use in Ireland?

You need to get out and about more if you think there is always a way around.

Why would the rest of someones driving be a problem when they improve traction?

Why would snow chains not be legal if they are so safety critical in snow and iced conditions that they are mandatory in countries like Switzerland?

What weird bent logic is going on that people think there is something wrong with snow chains when they are used extensively in countries with more severe winter conditions than Ireland usually experiences?

ironclaw

cnocbui wrote: »

You need to get out and about more if you think there is always a way around.

Why would the rest of someones driving be a problem when they improve traction?

Why would snow chains not be legal if they are so safety critical in snow and iced conditions that they are mandatory in countries like Switzerland?

What weird bent logic is going on that people think there is something wrong with snow chains when they are used extensively in countries with more severe winter conditions than Ireland usually experiences?

I think the problem is in Ireland as opposed to in Switzerland, France etc you could have 40 miles of road where snow chains are required. In Ireland, you might need 2 miles tops. Then you need to take them off. Driving with them on, on a road, probably is illegal as you'll destroy your tyres and the road. I've never seen conditions where snow chains were even remotely required and I live fairly high in the mountains.

To be honest, if a hill is so steep that you need snow chains, I think you'd be best off staying at home or if its that critical walk / call 112.

And I have to disagree on that one, I think 9 times out of 10 there would be a way around. There are no critical dead end roads that I'm aware of.

bazzachazza

cnocbui wrote: »

You need to get out and about more if you think there is always a way around.

Why would the rest of someones driving be a problem when they improve traction?

Why would snow chains not be legal if they are so safety critical in snow and iced conditions that they are mandatory in countries like Switzerland?

What weird bent logic is going on that people think there is something wrong with snow chains when they are used extensively in countries with more severe winter conditions than Ireland usually experiences?

You summed it up in your last post MORE severe. What we are getting compared to those countries is laughable its merely a frost and a bit of ice. My relatives live in Montreal they can get temps of -30c and 6 FEET of snow overnight over there its common sense to put on winter tyres they don't put on chains.

To the OP and any one else supporting there use in Ireland buy the chains and tell us what its like to try put them on and drive on them under normal road conditions for most of your journey and what its like for the little bit of the trip on ice. Have a look in your car manual max speed for cars with chains is between 30-50km/h or they fail and imagine the damage a loose chain will do.

Paulw

cnocbui wrote: »

Why would the rest of someones driving be a problem when they improve traction?

Because they only improve traction on ice, thick ice. We don't get enough ice for that, usually. On a normal road, you will destroy the road and your tyres very quickly.

cnocbui wrote: »

Why would snow chains not be legal if they are so safety critical in snow and iced conditions that they are mandatory in countries like Switzerland?

Maybe because countries like Switzerland get a lot of snow/ice which we don't. They can only use tyre chains under specific conditions, when the road conditions are bad enough for their need.

In Ireland, I believe that tyre chains are illegal, because of the damage they do to the roads.

cnocbui wrote: »

What weird bent logic is going on that people think there is something wrong with snow chains when they are used extensively in countries with more severe winter conditions than Ireland usually experiences?

You nailed it there - used extensively in countries with more severe winter conditions. Our winter conditions are not nearly severe enough to warrant use of tyre chains.

Abelloid

cnocbui wrote: »

So tell me, with a steepish hill covered in ice, how do you get up it in a FWD or rwd car without an LSD or winter tyres fitted to it?

Interested to know what sort of driver skills can improve the friction twixt tyre and ice.

I live at the end of a cul-de-sac at the top of a steep hill, to access it I have to drive down a longer steep hill. Cars have been abandoned here regularly over the last week due to ice.
Coming down hill in first or second gear without touching the pedals at all, and up in second works for me in a Golf Tdi, our Focus needs a light brake pedal coming down and light throttle on the way up.

ChocOneill

Halfords reccomends a visit to their store to get advice on the correct size of chain suitable to your vehicle - if i could get to their store - or even manage to get up my hill in a 4X4 or fwd vehicle I wouldnt need the chains in the first place!

recedite

Snow chains are brilliant, I got them 10 years ago; the best 20 quid I ever spent. I use them to go up the mountains in search of snow. It does take a few minutes to attach and remove them at the start of the snowline; a cold and dirty job. They are not suitable for normal driving where you might only encounter the odd patch of ice. On snow however, any old banger with them can outperform most of the 4x4s. Equally good on ice or snow(or usually hard packed snow) but not good on tarmac.

Pkiernan

As mentioned by many above, there are few situations here where tyre chains would be needed or even useful.

They are a pain to fit (you will be kneeling down in the dirt to get them on and off), and once on, you can't really drive over 20mph.
If you dont fit them correctly, the damage they can do to your cars bodywork is pretty horrendous (have seen it myself in the States).

You would be better off with a set of cheap wheels with good winter tyres on them.

ChocOneill

i wouldnt use a chain on the road - but i'd like to be able to get to the road...or even turn in the yard without taking out a wall..

peasant

This



http://www.rud.com/en/produkte/schneeketten/pkw/softspike.html

might make more sense for temporary use in our conditions.


(unfortunately they don't do them in my size or I would have been able to give you a test report)

windfan

Paulw, check photos below from today, taken in the west (county Sligo). You will see that snowchains are necessary at times in ireland, although not often. At the moment we have packed snow and ice on the the road which is not treated/gritted etc. I can easily understand how this seems alien, I was in Dublin yesterday myself and you would have no inkling of the conditions down the country. I got my snowchains in Halfords in Sligo, but they had very few of them.

recedite

Nice pics Windfan; makes me want to head Into the West.
As I said, snowchains give any old piece of crap outstanding performance under these conditions.

cormie

peasant wrote: »

This



http://www.rud.com/en/produkte/schneeketten/pkw/softspike.html

might make more sense for temporary use in our conditions.


(unfortunately they don't do them in my size or I would have been able to give you a test report)

They look pretty handy! Where did you see sizes/prices? Would probably get them myself if they aren't crazy money! have you read any honest reviews on them?

peasant

cormie wrote: »

They look pretty handy! Where did you see sizes/prices? Would probably get them myself if they aren't crazy money! have you read any honest reviews on them?

I just googled the product name and happened on an online store that had them.
They're not cheap and their durability is also still a bit questionable ...but chains don't last long either once you drive them on tarmac or very thin ice/snow (and they do quite some damage if they split)

congo_90

Snow chains in ireland?
f*ck me I've only seen one case of driving to justify their use and only for 0.6km up a steep hill in heavy snow a long time ago in a fwd. Honestly, Just the hassle of buying, fitting and removing the chains and travelling around 40-60km/h max it seems a waste.

put that 40euro towards some decent tires op.

SpannerMonkey

i wouldnt bother buying them for how infrequently it happens however i can see the use for them i had to drive 23 miles to work at 15 mph and had absolutely NO TRACTION car was all over the road , no type of driving style can compensate for the weather around here last week hence all the deaths on the roads over the since it started , granted there are some complete morons out there:mad: and i personally witnessed 2 crashes this week one quiet bad , , but i have seen numerous small dings because cars cant stop and they were driving very slowly, me personally i was coming down my driveway at about 2 miles an hour and i couldnt stop went straight out onto the road luckily no cars coming but anyone that says they arent justified is living somewhere probably in a city:rolleyes: where roads are busy and they are gritted dozens of times a day, so ice cant build up, a lot of rural ireland is in Chaos roads completly impassible , even dangerous to walk on with 2 inches of solid ice in many quieter roads , i have a friend who hasnt been able to leave home since it started and he is 7 miles from nearest town hows he going to walk ????

ei9go

http://www.autow.co.uk

95 Pounds for a pair!

cnocbui

windfan wrote: »

Paulw, check photos below from today, taken in the west (county Sligo). You will see that snowchains are necessary at times in ireland, although not often. At the moment we have packed snow and ice on the the road which is not treated/gritted etc. I can easily understand how this seems alien, I was in Dublin yesterday myself and you would have no inkling of the conditions down the country. I got my snowchains in Halfords in Sligo, but they had very few of them.

Excellent photos.

I wonder what the city slickers smart answers are going to be? Oh thats right, we already had that, I think it was walk. :rolleyes:

oldyouth

I live at the top of a fairly steep hiil. One day, back in the late '80s, we had terrible snow and I could not get up to my house. I ended up walking the mile and a half in foot deep snow. Suddenly, a car came up past me at a steady rate with snow chains on. Following on from that, I invested in a set for myself for future winters. Every year since I've hoped for snow so I could use them but no joy. Bleedin' sunny Southeast

Dan Jaman

If you're stuck and, like me, carry some cable in the boot, you can improvise some temporary chains from flat twin and earth by simply feeding some cable in through the wheel rim holes and out over the tyre tread, twisting it together to finish a loop. Do this four times on a wheel and repeat. It'll get you out of trouble and cost next to nothing

vw4life

wife seen a car yesterday with snowchains,she thought he was clamped until he drove off:eek:

Silvera

I used snow chains in New Zealand (around Wanaka) in 2004. It's compulsory to carry them in certain parts of NZ. They are brilliant in snow, but obviously have to be taken off when the snow is very thin..or they will damage the car and tyres.

Saw a Citroen van using them around Gorey the other day....they made a bit of a racket as the snow was a bit on the thin side at that stage:D

GreeBo

windfan wrote: »

Paulw, check photos below from today, taken in the west (county Sligo). You will see that snowchains are necessary at times in ireland, although not often. At the moment we have packed snow and ice on the the road which is not treated/gritted etc. I can easily understand how this seems alien, I was in Dublin yesterday myself and you would have no inkling of the conditions down the country. I got my snowchains in Halfords in Sligo, but they had very few of them.

Lucky your car has front fogs, looks like visibility was down to 12 miles at one stage there...:rolleyes:

ShadowHearth

cnocbui wrote: »

You need to get out and about more if you think there is always a way around.

Why would the rest of someones driving be a problem when they improve traction?

Why would snow chains not be legal if they are so safety critical in snow and iced conditions that they are mandatory in countries like Switzerland?

What weird bent logic is going on that people think there is something wrong with snow chains when they are used extensively in countries with more severe winter conditions than Ireland usually experiences?

dude, are you seriuos?! chains in ireland?! i came from lithuania where we have -25 to -30 in winter, and i havent seen even one person with chains!!!

you got small bit of ice and snow here and you think of chains?! you will destroy roads with those things, and you wounr be able to move more then 10km/h with them on road!


they must be illegal aswell...

Dan Jaman

This isn't Lithuania - this is culchie territory and begod it gets up to your ankles in some places.
Anyway, chains aren't illegal - whatever gave you that idea? What is illegal is damaging the road surface but that's a matter of common sense and easily addressed by taking them off.

Donnelly117

tyre chains are for snow, they dont help on ice AFAIK. (and will ruin you tyres)

ShadowHearth

Dan Jaman wrote: »

This isn't Lithuania - this is culchie territory and begod it gets up to your ankles in some places.
Anyway, chains aren't illegal - whatever gave you that idea? What is illegal is damaging the road surface but that's a matter of common sense and easily addressed by taking them off.

sorry, but its rate funny. chains... in ireland...

Dan Jaman

ShadowHearth wrote: »

sorry, but its rate funny. chains... in ireland...

Really, you should get out more and see some of the places that are snowed in. You'd be surprised and if you were stuck there you'd be wishing you had some chains on your tyres.

ShadowHearth

Dan Jaman wrote: »

Really, you should get out more and see some of the places that are snowed in. You'd be surprised and if you were stuck there you'd be wishing you had some chains on your tyres.

hmmm dont whgant to repeat myself, but i drove in -25/-30 and did not used any chains. ice covered in snow etc...

and snow is not the worst thing you can encounter, ice is your enemy, chains are usless in ice...

BeardyGit

ShadowHearth wrote: »

hmmm dont whgant to repeat myself, but i drove in -25/-30 and did not used any chains. ice covered in snow etc...

and snow is not the worst thing you can encounter, ice is your enemy, chains are usless in ice...

Let me be really clear here so I won't HAVE to repeat myself. You're showing your ignorance here, and a good measure of arrogance too. In many, many parts of this country at the moment there are folks stuck up country lanes and backroads who are unable to get anywhere near an urban centre for food shopping, medicines etc., many simply for want of a set of snowchains. Ice doesn't even come into it for a lot of them - It's all about the tyres on the car and the packed snow on the road. Without winter tyres or chains, they're going nowhere, and neither would you in the same place with the same car/tyres....

Lithuanian winter driving experience or not, your experience right now counts for nothing. Lithuanian laws require that from November 1st through April 1st you use either Winter or All-Season rated tyres, which is NOT the case here in Ireland. Many cars here come with Summer tyres, usually more than adequate for the road conditions we experience, but not enough to 'bite' on a snow covered incline....

So, anything else to add other than yet another sneering and impotent jibe there boyo? And before you start to type, I've spent a great deal of time driving through Finland and Norway in the middle of winter, so I know all about -25 and -30C, driving on packed snow and ice, studded and friction tyres etc etc etc.

beolight

snow socks might be easier option

the swedish approach to managing driving conditions in snow is interesting

you have to fit winter tires by dec 1 latest and earlier if condition dictate it, if you have trailer sames tyres on them. foreign tourists dont have to comply

because of this last point some steep hills are actually heated as there were too many foreign trucks/cars driving without correct tyres for the conditions getting stuck/crashing etc


the road authorities also send out road maps outlining which roads get ploughed, how often it happens and at what depth of snow it starts. they also show which roads get salted and at what frquency

oh they also warn that roads wont be salted if temp goes below -6

no need to convene a special emergency commitee just happens when conditions dictate it

Jesus Christ

I love the people here complaining about the damage the chains will create. Do any of ye leave the house or the city? The rural roads are destroyed already, snow chains won't make a damned bit of difference at this stage.

Bill G

bazzachazza wrote: »

You summed it up in your last post MORE severe. What we are getting compared to those countries is laughable its merely a frost and a bit of ice. My relatives live in Montreal they can get temps of -30c and 6 FEET of snow overnight over there its common sense to put on winter tyres they don't put on chains.

To the OP and any one else supporting there use in Ireland buy the chains and tell us what its like to try put them on and drive on them under normal road conditions for most of your journey and what its like for the little bit of the trip on ice. Have a look in your car manual max speed for cars with chains is between 30-50km/h or they fail and imagine the damage a loose chain will do.

Ha ha, 6 FEET of snow overnight, yeah right! The 24 hour record in Montreal is 43 cms, that's 1.5 feet. Why don't you make up some more porkies. You are worse than the dublin radio stations, who were reporting 8 inches of snow in Tallaght on Wednesday (that's 20 cms!!!). Met Eireann reported 0.5 cm
at Casement on Wednesday....

sponsi

Hi guys,

as I've driven a lot in conditions far worse than current, I should be able to give some advice.
First of all, what is good for snow not always is good for ice and vice versa. For deep, compacted or not, snow chains are the best solution (unless u drive a tank). With ice, there's no better grip than with spikes.
Second, winter tyres are good for fresh snow, wet mud we had today and temperatures below +7 C (not as I've heard from an "expert" below zero only). They are not good for ice at all.
This is my first winter I don't drive on winter tyres (last year's "one day" doesn't count ), and I'm not really suprised that the grip on ice is slightly better with a bit worn tyres than with new ones.

A bit of advice: drive slower, think what you're doing and think of other drivers. But if these conditions lasts longer than a month... Let's go to Bahamas or somewhere

And if you're planning a trip to eastern europe this year, buy a set of winter tyres as a souvenir

strontium

short answer is i don't know and i qualified as a solicitor (not-practising), nobody knows what is and isnt legal in this country except for the exclusive legal profession and the judges. they will give you an answer if there's money in it for them, preferably a tribunal. and i am surprised that the woman garda did not arrest or summons the snow-chainer, this is ireland after all.

but enough legal drivel, to be helpful, i have used snow chains on the Contintent (the EU), Alps and Pyrenees, brilliant kit, with them on packed snow any ordinary car outperforms a 4x4, not suitable on on dry road, chains break and maybe do damage road. but easy to take on or off, pop them in your boot. 2 chains needed for drive wheels only. snowchains were used in ireland 30 years ago, i think there was a lot more sanity in the country back then, oddly enough.

ronken505

snowchains are the business to get you out of a tight spot. i got stuck half way up a hill yesterday trying to come home. i was able to slip on a chain (on 1 wheel only) and it got me up the remaining 50 meters. The things rescued me!! I would have had to abandon the car otherwise.

for anyone who has a long driveway that can leave them stranded in snowy conditions id definately recommend chains. you may end up buying them and never needing them, but you could hold off on the purchase till next summer (assuming the bad weather has left your part of the country!!). maybe you could get some cheap on ebay.

CCCP^

Yeah I'd love to see Alice in Chains play in Ireland, when are they coming?

wljcay

Yes, they're a lifesaver in snow and also give traction on icy roads, though are not designed for use on ice and should be removed as soon as the vehicle has negotiated the icy section or hill. When never used before, the user should practice mounting and dismounting the chains in warm, dry bright conditions. Practice makes perfect and you will be sufficiently familiar with mounting and dismounting so this can be done quickly and safely when needed. Make sure to buy the correct size for tyres on your vehicle. They can be bought online or from the alloy wheele dealer near Frank Keane BMW on the Naas Road in Dublin (near Kylemore LUAS stop on the Red Line.

Nash Bridges wrote: »

Similar to the studded tyres thread, has anyone ever used snow chains in Ireland? Can buy a cheap set on ebay for ~€40 delivered. These may be a easy solution to the occasional bad weather we get. Should be easier to change than a full set of tyres, however I wonder if these would be any good on icy roads, rather than snow. Anyone have any experience?

alyuciao

I've driven in snow and ice for years (in Japan) and BEFORE I ever had snow tyres I always used chains. They are easy to put on (if prepared before hand) and just as fast to remove.

They are a life saver especially when driving on ice ( compacted snow that has melted on the surface and then frozen over again ), you will be wishing for a bit of bite from your tyres.

Yes they can damage your tyres........ but that is a small price to pay for not killing yourself..... or a pedestrian.

Anyone driving on summer tyres during severe conditions should have their lisence taken away from them..... better to be safe and stay at home.

Just my opinion..... no need to bite

MarkoC

Chains and in Ireland ? You guys must be really nuts or intimidated.

Theres absolutely NO REASON for chains in Ireland, proper winter tires will do theyr job perfectly. In Northern and eastern europe theres only few countries where the chains are allowed like Norway and Sweden. That means theres constant snow, NOT ICE !
The damage you causing with the chains to your cars, tires and roads ... aro NOT worth that in Ireland.

Why people want to go so extreme when theres absolutely NO needs for that.

Again, chains are NOT for thin ICE, therefor they sell winter tyres with studs !

bazzboy

I have written to BMW and told them of my idea for an anti theft device. It involves placing an ice cube under the rear wheels- now you are guranteed that it will either not move or just go around in circles.
Seroiusly, any ideas to keep BMW cars from spinning around in circles on any bit of ice/ snow ? I live in Dublin and the main roads are ok so far but its getting to them is the problem and dont even think of a slight incline or hill.

sarsfield06

Here's something to consider regarding chains and winter tyres

Having the best tyres on the front driven wheels will give best traction to propel the car forward, however lack of forward propulsion is not what causes you to crash. Crashes are caused by losing traction cornering or braking. If the rear tyres have less grip they will break out first causing oversteer, or even the rear overtaking the front. This is much harder to control than the progressive understeer where the fronts lose grip and much more likely to cause a crash. This effect is also to be expected when using chains on the front only, one of the reasons to only drive very slowly with chains on.

recedite

MarkoC wrote: »

Chains and in Ireland ? You guys must be really nuts or intimidated....Again, chains are NOT for thin ICE, therefor they sell winter tyres with studs !

The clue is in the name; snow chains

sarsfield06 wrote: »

Here's something to consider regarding chains and winter tyres

Having the best tyres on the front driven wheels will give best traction to propel the car forward, however lack of forward propulsion is not what causes you to crash. Crashes are caused by losing traction cornering or braking. If the rear tyres have less grip they will break out first causing oversteer, or even the rear overtaking the front. This is much harder to control than the progressive understeer where the fronts lose grip and much more likely to cause a crash. This effect is also to be expected when using chains on the front only, one of the reasons to only drive very slowly with chains on.

I doubt either of these posters has actually tried snow chains. Understeer, oversteer WTF! Yes the back of the car can slide around, fishtailing, but it always follows the front. Put yer foot on the accelerator if your rear is trying to overtake you
That is completely different to sliding helplessly along sideways, in slow motion, towards that stone wall or expensive merc 20 metres downhill of you. Yes, we have all been there :mad:

rev2.0

bazzboy wrote: »

, any ideas to keep BMW cars from spinning around in circles on any bit of ice/ snow ? I live in Dublin and the main roads are ok so far but its getting to them is the problem and dont even think of a slight incline or hill.

Take it handy?

Have driven a 116 & a 520d in the snow without any hassle?

Matt Simis

bazzboy wrote: »

I have written to BMW and told them of my idea for an anti theft device. It involves placing an ice cube under the rear wheels- now you are guranteed that it will either not move or just go around in circles.
Seroiusly, any ideas to keep BMW cars from spinning around in circles on any bit of ice/ snow ? I live in Dublin and the main roads are ok so far but its getting to them is the problem and dont even think of a slight incline or hill.

50-100kg Weight in the boot, slightly deflate tyres (though some here debated this idea, its a common "thing" to do) and failing that Winters on the rear or Snow Socks (which I dont like for a variety of reasons).

Start in 2nd gear, drive one gear higher than normal. I drove an 850CSi and 530i (Auto) on Summers in the Winter last year. 850 was a handful, though only spun out once when I disabled ASC and the 530i Auto was really well behaved. This year I sold the 530i and bought an Audi S8 and have Winters on the rear of 850CSi but ASC is not working at the moment and too dangerous and pointless to try without it. I sold the 530i with Mitchelin Alpines (Winters) on the Rear, wonder how the new owner is getting on. His otherhalf didnt trust BMWs since her 1series spun out last year.

I live in the midlands btw, no grit, no street lights and rubbish roads, since you are in Dublin you really should have it a lot better off!

bryaner

Never mind the chains, I think I'll need a new handbrake cable come the end of this weather love it..:D