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- From: dhepner@cup.hp.com (Dan Hepner)
- Subject: Re: Tires, Snow, PSI, and Questions
- Sender: news@cupnews0.cup.hp.com
- Message-ID: <BxxwM8.L9B@cup.hp.com>
- Date: Thu, 19 Nov 1992 01:39:44 GMT
- References: <1eecphINNh62@early-bird.think.com>
- Organization: Hewlett-Packard
- X-Newsreader: Tin 1.1scd1 PL4
- Lines: 58
-
- From: shaig@Think.COM (Shai Guday)
-
- >I have a Escort GT with a set of Michelin HGT 195/60 in the front
- >and Cooper 1000 195/60 in the back. Although both sets have a relatively
- >heavy tread pattern and are rated all season, I was thinking of getting
- >a tire chains, until I read the owners manual that said that chains
- >should not be used on 195/60.
- >
- >1. No reason was given, does anyone know why?
-
- Probably because they would scrape on other parts of the car, e.g.
- steering parts. You may have to user narrower tires if you
- need chains. The use of thin cable-style "chains" will mitigate
- this effect. In general, chains serve two purposes: getting
- you over mountain passes, and getting you unstuck when you end
- up in deep snow. Plowed mountain passes aren't usually much
- of a challenge if you have the road to yourself, but in stop-and-go
- driving, without chains the situation quickly turns into a mess,
- and thus they are commonly required by law. Cable chains don't
- last very long, but make a good choice for mountain passes when the
- odds are in your favor (probably no snow). Real chains make a
- much better choice for extended usage, and offer superior effect
- when getting unstuck. Further, real chains are easily repairable.
- Use a special "chain tool", a weird pliers affair with clips
- to open and close the cross link connections so that they
- can be replaced. These tools are also handy if a crosslink
- breaks. Loss of a single crosslink is a minor problem, but
- having two ends of a broken crosslink batting against parts
- of your car is a major problem!
-
- At the very least, carry some mild steel wire and a pair of
- pliers when using chains. I've survived not only broken crosslinks,
- but successfully used chains which were grossly too large and too
- small, by wiring them the way which was needed and going slow.
- Going lower down the "find some way" scale, duct tape can also be
- used for some problems, and one can hook the rubber tightener
- into loose ends.
-
- Bizarre thing seen more commonly than you might guess: people
- putting chains on the rear wheels of a front drive car. Put
- 'em where the power goes!
-
- >2. What tire pressure is best for driving in snow?
- > When driving on sand I usually bleed tire pressure so as to increase
- > the surface area, does the opposite hold true for snow?
-
- You want to maintain sideways stability. The worst thing for
- low traction driving is a car which sways back and forth. Each
- sway attempts to put you into a skid. Do not reduce the pressure
- below normal, or even to the low side of normal.
-
- >3. What is the correct tire pressure for this car? Both tires
- > recommend a max of 35 psi and the manual refers me to the door
- > post sticker (non-existent when I bought the car).
-
- The tires themselves carry the definitive range.
-
- Dan Hepner, living but not from where it never snows.
-