--- title: Is 4x4 enough to keep your truck safe? description: 4x4 and Automatic Tire Chains alone are not perfect solution in all conditions. We consider these to be complimentary products rather than competing goods. image: https://intblog.onspot.com/hs-fs/hubfs/North_America/Blog%20Images/Icy%20Bridge.jpg --- [![](https://www.onspot.com/imagevault/publishedmedia/ewjmu1x672ip2pj4oovu/Onspot_Logo.png)](https://www.onspot.com/en-US/) - [Why Onspot](https://www.onspot.com/en-US/why-onspot/) - Knowledge - [Overview](https://www.onspot.com/en-US/knowledge/overview/) - [Ways to increase traction](https://www.onspot.com/en-US/knowledge/ways-to-increase-traction/) - [For fleet managers](https://www.onspot.com/en-US/knowledge/for-fleet-managers/) - [For drivers](https://www.onspot.com/en-US/knowledge/for-drivers/) - [For mechanics](https://www.onspot.com/en-US/knowledge/for-mechanics/) - [Rules & regulations](https://www.onspot.com/en-US/knowledge/rules--regulations/) - [Knowledge Center](https://knowledge.onspot.com/en-us/knowledge-center-for-winter-driving-and-traction) - The product - [Overview](https://www.onspot.com/en-US/the-product/overview/) - [Testimonials](https://www.onspot.com/en-US/the-product/testimonials/) - [FAQ](https://www.onspot.com/en-US/the-product/faq/) - [Documents, manuals and brochures](https://www.onspot.com/en-US/the-product/documents-manuals-and-brochures/) - [How it works-videos](https://www.onspot.com/en-US/the-product/how-it-works/) - [Measuring forms](https://www.onspot.com/en-US/the-product/documents-manuals-and-brochures/sales-brochures2/) - About - [Overview](https://www.onspot.com/en-US/about-onspot---about-us/overview/) - [History](https://www.onspot.com/en-US/about-onspot---about-us/history/) - [News & Press releases](https://blog.onspot.com/news-press-releases) - [Regional Manager Contact](https://www.onspot.com/en-US/about-onspot---about-us/regional-manager-contact/) - Blog - [Blog articles](https://intblog.onspot.com/en-us) - [All about automatic tire chains](https://knowledge.onspot.com/en-us/all-about-automatic-tire-chains) - [Traction aids for heavy vehicles](https://knowledge.onspot.com/en-us/traction-aids-for-heavy-vehicles) - [Support](http://support.onspot.com/en-US/) - [E-Training](https://www.onspot.com/en-US/e-training/) - [North America](https://onspot.com/?s=false) - [Contact us](https://www.onspot.com/en-US/contact-us/) # Is 4x4 enough to keep your truck safe? Written by [Eric Jones](https://intblog.onspot.com/en-us/author/eric-jones), February 1, 2018 Professional drivers don’t have the option of taking a day off to avoid the winter weather. An operator’s skill and training are vital to driving safely in poor conditions. However, the type and quality of the vehicle’s systems are another important factor in staying safe in winter weather. To that end, we often receive questions about the need for [Onspot Automatic Tire Chains](https://www.onspot.com/en-US/the-product/overview/) on vehicles equipped with 4x4. In a recent blog post, we discussed that traction is a product of [friction created by adhesion and hysteresis](https://blog.onspot.com/blog/what-is-traction-coefficient) of the tires on the road surface. A 4x4 drive system can be advantageous when one or more of the four drive wheels has the opportunity to gain traction. However, when driving on ice and snow, the ability for the tires alone to generate traction can be greatly reduced, especially when braking. In this case, a traction aid such as Onspot can provide the friction needed to stop or start safely. In short, 4x4 or [Automatic Tire Chains](https://www.onspot.com/en-US/the-product/overview/) alone are not a perfect solution in all conditions. We consider these to be complementary products rather than competing goods. Unfortunately, not all budgets and applications allow for the use of both Automatic Tire Chains and 4x4. Check out our comparison guide to see which product might be the right fit for you! [![4x4 vs Onspot](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/1905643/53963532-aa25-47d4-8f82-918645844f52.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/1905643/53963532-aa25-47d4-8f82-918645844f52) ![Eric Jones](https://intblog.onspot.com/hubfs/Eric%20Jones.jpg) #### About [Eric Jones](https://intblog.onspot.com/en-us/author/eric-jones) Eric is the Global Sales Director for the Onspot brand. He has over 15 years of industry experience and received an MBA from Ball State University. Eric enjoys spending time with his wife and two children and being active outdoors. 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