Hyundai and Kia Develop Shape Memory Alloy Integrated Snow Chain Technology

Re:Hyundai and Kia Develop Shape Memory Alloy Integrated Sno... by cromulent on Tuesday December 12, 2023 @08:40AM (#38611910)

I drive on studded winter tires for 4-5 months of the year.

I'm a little sceptical. Snow is less of a problem than ice, in my opinion.

Studs provide excellent lateral and longitudinal grip on icy surfaces, and wear well. This design doesn't look convincing for lateral grip. I am also worried about wear.

Black ice surprises you, so you need to have winter tires active.

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Re:Hyundai and Kia Develop Shape Memory Alloy Integrated Sno... by bbarnett on Tuesday December 12, 2023 @08:52AM (#38612050)

All true, but one addition. Studded tires can suck in rain. Where I am it can be -40C one day, and 5C plus rain the next.

It would be neat to somehow get both behaviours maxed.

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Re:Hyundai and Kia Develop Shape Memory Alloy Integrated Sno... by Ekaros on Tuesday December 12, 2023 @10:01AM (#38613009)

My experience is that they are still pretty reasonable in rain. Not as good as tires designed for monsoons. But being aware of conditions they are sufficient.

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Re:Hyundai and Kia Develop Shape Memory Alloy Integrated Sno... by bbarnett on Tuesday December 12, 2023 @10:54AM (#38613844)

The tires named after someone coughing and hacking, seem particularly bad in the rain. Agree though that with foreknowledge, it's not a problem.

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