In Andorra, from November 1st to May 15th, vehicles with special equipment are required.
We are a country of snow , and as is proper, we have to make sure that we drive on our roads as safely as possible . In addition, there are also fines from the police, which can range from €180 to €500.
But what happens when we drive without winter tires on snow or ice?
Surely, the first thing that will happen is that we will lose control of the vehicle and we will have no response from the brakes, therefore, we will suffer a car accident in the snow . This can have very negative consequences, since we can do a lot of harm to a third party . And we also have to think about our vehicle insurance , since, even if we present a statement to the insurance company , they can tell us that we do not have coverage , since we do not comply with the legal obligation in Andorra , which is to be equipped with winter tires , and they would apply the risk exclusion to us, and then, we would have to assume 100% of the expenses ourselves .
There is a way, for those who like strong emotions and trying different things, which is to take a snow driving course . Trying it in Andorra is very easy, since you can find this activity in our ski resorts , throughout the winter. In addition to trying the sensation, it is interesting to do so, since the advice can be useful in the future .
The obligation to carry winter equipment means that we find different types on the market: mixed tyres, winter tyres or metal or fabric chains.
We will have to choose them taking into account our type of vehicle , whether we drive daily or sporadically , and above all our budget. We are aware of the costs of winter tires, but in our situation, they are a good investment, especially when it comes to safety .
Another thing we should know is that 4×4 cars also need equipment in the snow . Obviously they will have greater traction control but they need this extra prevention.
Snow equipment systems :
- Fabric chains :
It is one of the easiest systems to install that currently exists on the market . In forty seconds you have it mounted on the drive wheels and its fabric provides a very good grip on the road . It can be an option for tourists who travel sporadically in the country, or for residents who do not often take the car . The price can be around 80-100 € (Note! They cannot roll on asphalt , so it is not recommended on mixed asphalt-snow terrain . They break easily on asphalt.
- Metal chains :
This is the most commonly used system and the one you always find in all service areas . It is also the one that takes the longest to put on if you don’t know how to do it, it can be a difficult task, and if you have already done it before, it can take up to 20 minutes per wheel . For those who are used to snow , it is the most advisable . But you always have to be sure that you have put it on correctly, because otherwise the result can be even worse. The price can be around 30-50€
- Mixed tires :
These tyres aim to guarantee the same safety all year round as winter tyres , but if it is true that they are cheaper , in the long run, if we use our car both in winter and summer , we will not have the same safety or grip as with winter tyres. As they are multi-purpose, they are no longer specifically good. That is, they have worse grip both in winter and summer.
If you really don’t want to change tires when the season changes , and you don’t drive more than 5000km a year, then they are a good alternative.
- Winter tires :
These are made from more resistant materials than the summer ones, and so they do not become hard below 7 °C. The replacement in their structure is with wider grooves to promote adhesion in adverse conditions such as water, ice and snow .
Whatever system you choose, we always recommend trying it out in a quiet place to gain some experience when the moment of truth arrives.
So, to sum up, if we live or often go to the snow, the most convenient will be winter tires , if on the other hand, we enjoy it sporadically, we will have to choose fabric or metal chains.
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