König Reflex Cross automatic snow chains (pair) no. 218

Why buy Reflex Cross?

These chains are designed for Crossovers and compact SUVs, and are ideal if you have very limited space around the wheel arch (i.e. to reach around the tyre to fit a conventional snow chain or even Autosock).

They are a premium priced chain but still good value, bearing in mind the ease of fitting.

You also want a snowchain that’s very low profile and is designed to minimise the risk of damage to alloy wheel rims.

You will also definitely need a solution to keep your car moving in snowy weather, either here in the UK or perhaps on a ski-drive holiday to the Alps.

Fitting:

The Reflex Cross consists of a rigid outer hoop for the front of the wheel and a rigid inner hoop for the inside of the wheel, with 9mm chain suspended between the hoops. A built-in tensioning cord links both hoops, and there’s a spring-loaded tensioner, attached to the outside hoop, that takes up the slack at the touch of a lever and keeps the chain at optimum tension during the journey.

• The first thing you’ll notice is the smart zipped bag; this doubles as a kneeler when fitting and removing the chain – we’ve found that fitting and removal is easier if you place one knee on the ground for a few seconds. You use the ground clearance space to fit the chains, the space in the wheel arch between the bottom of the car and the ground.
• Then, if you’ve ever used snow chains before, you’ll be delighted to see that Reflex Cross are not in a tangle when they come out of the bag, unlike almost all other chains.
• You extend the the outer hoop, then put one hand on each red handle of the inner hoop, flex it wider, then push this inner hoop over the top of the wheel and move the red handles so they are behind the wheel, near ground level, and let go.
• Move the red catch on the tensioner - it's called the Reflex Box - to take up the slack, and drive slowly away. The inner hoop will tension as you drive off; there's no need to stop again to re-tension the chains.

You should be able to fit Reflex Cross in approximately 15 seconds a side, without effort, and without getting your hands or clothes dirty. Fantastic!

Removal:

• Stop the car with the Reflex Box back at approximately the 9 o’clock position, where it was when the chains were fitted.
• Move the red catch to the down position, grab both ends of the outer hoop at ground level and stretch them apart, which loosens the whole system. Then place a hand behind the wheel, near ground level, take hold of the one red end of the inner hoop, and pull the whole chain off the wheel.
• Lay out the chain so you won’t drive over it, then move the car back or forward by maybe one metre to free the piece of micro-cable that’s trapped behind the wheel.
• Shake the chains clear of snow and put them back in their bag.

These words might give the impression that this is a complex operation. Not at all; it’s both easy and intuitive. Check out the Fitting instructions and videos tab to see how it’s done!

Technical stuff:

The Reflex Cross snow chains use 9mm chain. Unlike most 9mm chains they are are specially designed for a smaller SUVs and crossovers. These vehicles tend to be heavier and have wider tyres than the cars that most 9mm chains are suitable for. They're designed for a number of SUVs which have very limited clearance between the wheel and the running gear, so please check our database carefully.

Features:

• All König chains are made from case-hardened manganese nickel (MnNi) alloy steel to provide an optimum combination of strength and hardness.
• Each Reflex Cross chain link is 9mm high, D-shaped to make it bite well into snow and ice.
• The Reflex Cross included triple ice-breaking traction bars which also hold the chain parallel to the tyre and therefore provide better side to side stability. These traction bars also prevent the chain disappearing into any centre groove on the tyre.
• The chain design gives them better traction than a standard 9mm chain, making them suitable for all road driving situations (including back roads) but they are not suitable for off-road use.
• The chains stand 9mm high, both on the face of the tyre and behind it.
• They're approved to EN 16662-1:2020, and the Austrian Ö-Norm V5117 – which means that they’re approved for use across the EU, wherever snow chains must be carried, as well as other countries which have adopted the EN 16662-1:2020 standards, including Switzerland and Norway.
• Suitable for vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes gross vehicle weight.
• Every component in contact with the rim is protected by a composite material that does not cause scratches to alloy rims. Nylon button studs are also supplied and should be fitted as appropriate to help prevent the chains from scratching alloy wheels.
• The chains are made from case-hardened manganese nickel alloy steel (MnNi) to provide an optimum combination of strength and hardness. Please note that they will rust if not cleaned and dried correctly, as is true of all snowchains except Spikes-Spider SPORT - see the tab "Care of snowchains" for more information.
• A set of water-resistant instructions is included, together with spare links and plastic gloves.
• Reflex Cross are guaranteed for 5 years, but this does not cover normal wear and tear or accidental damage.
• Not recommended for off-road use.

About König:

König is one of Europe's premier snowchain designers and manufacturers, founded in 1966 and still based at the southern end of Lake Como in northern Italy. The Company has a reputation for innovation as well as premier quality, which is why their chains are also supplied as original equipment to numerous car manufacturers, and to numerous military and blue-light services worldwide. They make chains for almost all vehicle types, from car snow chains to the heaviest duty tyre protection chains for forestry and quarry use.