ADVICE ON SNOW CHAINS
Making the best of snow chains
Put winter in chains. if you want to climb mountains in your car, it's best to have your snow chains in the boot. Putting the chains on is child's play with a bit of practice, and modern fixed frame chains can usually be fitted in only a few minutes. Nevertheless, you should try it out at home first, so that snow does not leave you out in the cold!
Useful tips:
- Watch your hands: always put a pair of gloves in the boot to avoid hands becoming numb.
- Be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions.
- Fit the chains on as level a surface as possible.
- Wear a hi-viz jacket so that other drivers can see you from a distance.
- A waterproof mat makes fitting the chains much easier.
- Do not drive faster than 50 km/h when the chains are fitted.
Things to note when buying...
- Chains and vehicle must be compatible if winter fun is not to turn into winter problems. For example, special chains are needed for wide-base tyres and wheels.
- Chains with so-called "spike bands" are not allowed everywhere.
- Whether a chain is truly safe or not is only revealed on the road. False economy is always a mistake and can put your safety at risk.
- When travelling to Austria, your snow chains must fulfil the so-called "Ö-Norm", or Austrian standard.
