Tyre Selection

LOW PROFILE TYRES
This type of tyre is only suitable for chains if there is enough clearance around the wheel arch for the wheel to operate freely with chains fitted. Many low profile tyres are extra wide in their construction, which can cause wear on the inside of the wheel arch when doing tight turns. If this has been occurring then tyre chains will not be suitable for the vehicle.

Low profile tyres are not designed for alpine use and are not a very safe or practical tyre in this environment. They are designed for their style and street performance and get the best results on a sealed road surface. Low profile tyres are often fitted to oversized mag wheels, which means there is usually very little clearance under the mudguard. Driving on low profile tyres with mags over gravel roads or up a ski field access road will do more damage to both the tyre and the mag than a set of Snowsweat Chains will. Low profile tyres have very little sidewall, however in most instances chains can be fitted.

EXTRA WIDE TYRES
If extra wide tyres have been put on the vehicle there will be less clearance between the mudguard and the tyre unless the vehicle has been modified. If an extra wide low profile tyre is put on an oversized rim (which is frequently the case), then it is important that there is enough clearance around the wheel that a tyre chain can be fitted to the tyre and operate safely. To check if there is enough room to fit chains safely on a customised car, run your hands over the tyre tread and behind the wheel to verify there is enough clearance for chains to operate freely. If you think there is sufficient clearance to fit a set of chains to the vehicle, try them on the tyre, check around the chains (look for any possible obstructions eg: when turning the wheel hard lock) and then make your decision.

OVERSIZED RIMS
If oversized rims or bigger mags have been put on the vehicle, there is going to be less clearance for the wheel to operate underneath the wheel arch. If oversized rims have been fitted there may not be enough clearance under the wheel arch to fit a set of chains to the tyre. Many car manufacturers (Holden, BMW, VW, Porsche) do not recommend chains be used on vehicles if oversized rims have been fitted. Check in your vehicle manual for advice on tyre chain suitability for your means of transport.

RECOMMENDATIONS
Passenger Vehicles
For cars with aftermarket mags or tyres fitted, any of the three Snowsweat Chain models can be considered. If there is minimal clearance around the tyre to fit a set of chains, then try the Quick Grip chains first - the Quick Grips are constructed to fit on cars with minimal clearance.

4WD Vehicles
The Diamond 4x4 chains are recommended for 4WD vehicles with low profile tyres or aftermarket mags. The Diamond 4x4 chains use plastic tubing in their construction. The design of this tyre chain ensures that the plastic tubes sit against the sidewall of the tyre to reduce wear when fitted correctly. The Compact 4x4 and Snowsweat 4x4 both use spring spacers instead of plastic tubing, making them unsuitable for this application.

STANDARD PROFILE TYRES
All the tyre sizes listed in the Snowsweat Chains brochure are suitable for road tyres, including Four-wheel drives. The “Standard profile” tyre is the most common tyre used on public roads and all of the models in the Snowsweat Chains product range have been designed to fit on road tyres. Snowsweat Chains are recommended for use on all “Standard” road tyres.

ALL TERRAIN TYRES
A multi purpose 4WD tyre that has been designed for use both on and off-road. The “All terrain” tread pattern is more aggressive than a standard road tyre, giving it more traction off-road. It is not a specialized mud tyre, so while the tyre can go off-road, it will have limited traction in severe conditions. The tread pattern on an “All terrain” tyre is different to that on a road tyre, so it pays to check the chains on the tyre to confirm that you have the correct size tyre chains before you use them. The tyre sizes listed in the Snowsweat Chains brochure were designed around road tyres. With careful attention to sizing, Snowsweat Chains can be used on most “All terrain” tyres.

MUD TYRES
Mud tyres are designed for use in mud! They have been constructed to “clear” the tread of mud as they rotate, allowing for traction on very slippery, muddy or boggy conditions. Mud tyres have been specifically developed for these conditions and they are the most suitable traction device for this application. Snowsweat Chains have been designed to fit on road tyres. They can also be used on all terrain tyres, but they are not suitable for use on mud tyres.

SNOW TYRES
Snow tyres are specifically designed to get traction in snow! Snow tyres and snow chains are different types of traction devices that can be used to help get more grip in the snow. Both products offer different benefits and a decision needs to be made on what option best suits your requirements. Snowsweat chains can be fitted onto snow tyres for extra traction in extreme conditions. They will help provide better traction in deeper snow.