Do Snow Chains Damage Tires?

[VanCorey]

Snow chains do cause damage to tires because the force is mutual. While increasing tire traction, the adhesion coefficient between the tire and the snow chain also rises, naturally leading to tire wear. Additionally, the noise generated during driving becomes more noticeable. Snow chains are made of steel or rubber chains and serve an anti-slip function. They can be structurally categorized into two types: 1. Pre-connected cover-type snow chains; 2. Cross-installed individual snow chains. Car tires are one of the essential components of a vehicle, directly contacting the road surface and working with the car suspension to mitigate impacts during driving, ensuring good ride comfort and smooth driving.

[DiMackenzie]

Every winter when I drive on mountain roads, I have to use snow chains. After using them for five or six years, I've noticed they do wear down the tires. Rubber snow chains are the gentlest, but metal chains really damage the tire sidewalls, especially when driving fast or on thin ice. The tightness during installation is crucial—too tight accelerates wear, while too loose risks the chains coming off. In deep snow, the chains wrap around completely, reducing the force on the tires. But if there's a lot of icy debris on the road, the metal chains clatter loudly and chew up the tires badly. Once, after driving 200 kilometers, I got out and saw small grooves worn into the sidewalls of my newly replaced tires. Still, compared to the risk of skidding and accidents, this wear and tear is worth it.

[DiEli]

The wear and tear of snow chains on tires depends on how they're used. I'm in the habit of fitting my car with them on snowy mornings—those mesh rubber chains cause the least damage, but for thick ice, metal chains are still necessary. I remember once driving across a frozen lake when the metal buckles of the chains left a row of small dents on the tires. At speeds over 40 km/h, the friction between the metal parts and the tires is like sandpaper, and the tire rubber can soften when temperatures rise. However, on steep slopes with compacted snow, not using chains is even more dangerous. After each use, I carefully inspect the tire treads and clean out any stones stuck in the chain links. The rubber chains are then soaked in clean water for storage, which can extend their lifespan to two or three years.

[VanLondyn]

Installing snow chains can indeed damage tires, but it depends on the situation. In my hometown in Northeast China, we use chains daily during snow season. Soft chains made of vulcanized rubber cause less tire wear, but they can't grip well in deep snow. Metal chains are more reliable, but during sharp turns, the chains stretch too tight and leave marks on the tire sidewalls. I've found that maintaining a speed around 30 km/h causes minimal wear - once you exceed 50 km/h, the tire noise suddenly increases, which means the metal plates are chewing the rubber. Before installing chains, remove stones stuck in the tire treads to prevent extra abrasion. When removing chains, remember to rinse off sand and mud from the connection points to extend tire life.