Snow Chains: Buy Now & Stay Safe!

Since we will be driving through Austria by car once in the winter (on the highway), I am considering buying snow chains. According to my research, the legal situation in Austria is that these are considered part of the mandatory winter equipment.

Currently, I'm considering the RUD Centrax N 891 because they are very easy and quick to install and remove, and they can be fitted with all tires approved for the Sharan 7N.

However, I'm not sure if the performance of tire chain snow chains is sufficient in a real emergency. Has anyone already gained experience with this type of chain?

vag-driver wrote:

... According to my research, the legal situation in Austria is such that these items are considered part of the mandatory winter equipment.

I think no.
hg
Herbert.

https://www.oeamtc.at/thema/vorschriften-strafen/winterausruestungspflicht-welche-bestimmungen-gelten-16186948

Here it is written differently: https://www.pirelli.com/tyres/de-de/pkw/why-pirelli/news/schneekettenpflicht-osterreich

Extreme conditions, extreme tires.
Under extreme driving conditions, it is common in Austria for a situational snow chain requirement to be issued. In this case, every road user must equip their vehicle with snow chains.

https://skinachrichten.de/das-passiert-wenn-man-die-schneeketten-nicht-richtig-anlegt/

From when does the requirement for snow chains apply?
First, it's important to mention that there is a general and a situational snow chain requirement. The general requirement applies to all drivers in Austria, even those who are driving with summer tires in the winter, and it obligates them to put on snow chains when driving in winter conditions. The situational requirement can be issued due to extreme weather and snow conditions on the roads and forces all drivers, regardless of whether they have winter tires or not, to use snow chains.

Hello,

So, I've been living in the Swiss Alps, near the Austrian border, for over 11 years.

Every day, I was on the road, facing all kinds of weather. I had never experienced a situation where I needed snow chains.

As long as you don't have to drive up remote mountain roads just to pass through, I think it's completely unnecessary.

Main roads are usually very well cleared, and no one forces you to use obscure mountain roads. Just stay on the highway and use good winter tires.

Best regards, Rainer.

Basically, you're right.

I needed them twice in Austria. Once, I didn't have any with me. The other time, my arm was in a cast, and I couldn't open the ones I had .

Despite this, the situational requirement for snow chains makes me skeptical.