The first snowfalls of the season promise to create havoc on our road network, and as always, the Car and Driver recommend that you check traffic information and follow all DGT instructions before venturing out. Snow is one of the most dangerous weather occurrences for driving, as well as one of the most difficult to combat. There are numerous tools at our disposal to cope with it. Winter tires, with and without studs, are the most effective against snow, intended to operate safely on the coldest roads while preserving all of the vehicle's grip and maneuverability. Then there are the aids that arrive to help with the loss of grip in these situations. We must mention the standard snow chains, coverings, and the ally we will be focusing on today: the so-called liquid chains.
A mist against the snow
The liquid chain is a spray that is designed to be sprayed on the tire tread and might be the appropriate emergency remedy when our car loses grip due to snow. They are helpful things that take up little room in our vehicle's trunk, are exceedingly simple to use, and are impervious to the passage of time, so their contents do not decay or expire. In summary, having one in your car at all times will not cost you anything. Simply spraying the surface of the wheel of the vehicle that is causing mobility issues will offer us a little additional grip for a few minutes. In general, and if we maneuver carefully, those minutes will be just and necessary to get us out of trouble.
Of course, you must understand that we are discussing a device developed precisely to solve these specific blockages, not to roll carelessly for several kilometers on every road with snow or ice. If this is the case, metal link chains, textile coverings, and, most importantly, standard automobile chains remain the finest choice for driving in snow. The only thing more efficient than these chains is the previously stated winter tires.
Remedy for an emergency
As a result, liquid chain sprays, as they are commonly called, are just a specialized emergency remedy that may be utilized to get you out of difficulties in most instances, because the improvement in grip after using them is genuine and visible. However, because their impact lasts just a few minutes, they are not a viable substitute for chains for covering long distances. Of course, because they are inexpensive and simple to use, we recommend that you have one of these liquid chains in your automobile. And it is because you never know when you will find yourself with a locked wheel on any road and a thermometer reading less than zero. If this happens to you, remember to use the emergency triangles and, if feasible, the V16 light sign to signal that your vehicle is stopped on the road. Then spray this on your wheels, which is unquestionably the easiest and most convenient remedy at your disposal.