shauns@vice.UUCP (Shaun Simpkins) (12/23/83)
Just a comment on the proper placement of chains on front wheel drive cars:
If you're climbing a hill, the chains should go on the front wheels for
traction.
However, if you have to stop suddenly while descending, it is possible that
you could wind up rear end first. The reason is simple: the front tires will
hold longer than the rears - and since most of the car's weight is behind the
fulcrum so formed, the car will spin around if there is sufficient lateral
acceleration.
Rear wheel drive doesn't have this problem since the car effectively hangs from
the rear wheels going down hill.
The best solution is chains on all fours, or none at all. That way, adhesion
is the same front and back.
--
Shaun Simpkins
uucp: {ucbvax,decvax,chico,pur-ee,cbosg,ihnss}!teklabs!tekcad!vice!shauns
CSnet: shauns@tek
ARPAnet:shauns.tek@rand-relaygrw@inmet.UUCP (02/18/84)
#R:vice:-128200:inmet:2700053:000:547 inmet!grw Feb 17 11:49:00 1984 I have found that this principle applies to the use of snow tires on front wheel drive cars. Forward traction and stability on flat roads (like the Mass Pike around here) are improved with front snows. However braking and navigating turns are sometimes more dangerous than without snows. Next year I'm getting two more snows for the rear as I am unwilling to give up the advantages of snows altogether. California Ho! -- Gary Wasserman ...harpo!inmet!grw ...hplabs!sri-unix!cca!ima!inmet!grw ...yale-comix!ima!inmet!grw