Do tire chains help with black ice or just snow?

Question

Im new to driving in snow and apparently i suck at it. i can not control my car from slidding. Do chains help with ice as well as snow. I feel dumb driving with them since i have never seen anyone using them where i live but im gonna end up crashing!! Help!!

Answer 1

You need to look into buying not snow tires or all season but winter tires rather than chains.

Answer 2

yes, chains will help in any kind of cold weather, black ice included. they are not, however, as effective in black ice as they are in snow.

Answer 3

just snow, nothing will grip to black ice.

Answer 4

Tyler S  is correct, but he failed to mention that on ice they will help you get moving, but will not necessarily help you stop. When you get on ice, try to keep it in one piece until you get to a safe place to park it.

Answer 5

There is an interesting website for you to go to when selecting tires that will work on black ice: tirerack.com.

Open up any brand of tire. Under the picture you will see the word: Survey. Open survey and the tire has a long roe of tests, one is ice.

I've researched all of them and the Yokohama TRZ has one of the very best ice traction scores. That's how I made the decision to mount these tires on two of our cars.

The very best solution is to mount carbide studded snow tires on all four wheels, you'll feel like the car can climb a wall. I was a tire tester when Corning Inc. was attempting to make ceramic tire studs. The testing was fun especially during Up State NY Winters going back and fourth to work.

Tire chains positively do work. The drawback is you should not exceed 35-40 mph. Me extremely careful which ones you choose. SAE series "S" chains will clear your fenders and struts.The best ones have hardened short U shaped bars welded to the chains that  go across the tread of the tire. Bare pavement wear the chains quickly. They come in many sizes so keep this in mind when comparing to your tire size.

If you can afford studded snow tires go to: Nokian Tires. They are made in Sweden and they have a huge selection. I had these tires on a car once upon a time on a car which my wife drove back and forth to work. She positively loved the security these tires gave her.

Good luck to ya!

Answer 6

yes both,,however should you use them on dry stretch of road they could heat up and melt into tires

Answer 7

They make smaller chains for light snow and ice. This is a good source. http://www.tirechain.com/

Answer 8

yes, both

Answer 9

Tire chains are more helpful, reducing stopping distance by about 30% to 50%.