How to Put Tire Snow Chains on Automobiles the Easy Way

Snow chains are required in many states during severe snow and icy road conditions. Snow chains help considerably in mountainous or steep terrain, where a four-wheel drive vehicle would be hard-pressed to acquire sufficient traction to maintain control. The maximum driving speed with chains is 30 mph. Chains are loud and vibrate during use. In the last few years, several different types of tire chains have emerged. One such device consists of a heavy braided cable, which appears to be easier to install and supplies good traction, with somewhat less vibration. The best of all is the new rubber square-type system. The squares simply hook together with the help of a handle crank tensioner. It would be well worth exploring these options in the accompanying tips below.

Instructions

1

Unravel the chains. Look at the chains and notice the outboard C-clips on both sides of the chain that hold the last link of the chain. Lay the chain so the open part of the C-clip faces down -- when installed on the tire, the open end will be away from the tire so that it won't damage the rubber.

2

Lay the chains in this manner, with the C-clips down, in front of the tire getting the chain. When laying the chain out on the ground, make sure the side with the long bow wire and a C-bend on the end is on the outside. Smooth both chains out and butt one end up to the front of the tire.

3

Drive the car over the middle of the chains and stop. Lift the inside rear of the chain with the free links up and over the top of the tire. Grab the inside front of the chain with the inside C-clip and pull the two ends of the chain, as tight as possible, over the tire. Hook the front C-clip as far up the inside free links as possible.

4

Lift both sides of the outside of the chain over the top of the tire. Insert the bow wire through the most distant piece of chain link, as possible. Pull the bow wire back and clip it into a side link to hold it in place. This will tension the chain.

5

Make sure the chain is evenly spaced and tight enough by checking it for looseness. Try to lift the chain and push your fingers under the chain, on the top and sides. If you can do this, the chain is too loose. Remove the inner C-clip and pull both the front and back of the chain closer and rehook the C-clip. Unclip the bow wire and place it in the next distant link and pull it back and hook it in place.

6

Drive the vehicle a quarter mile and stop to check the chains to make sure they are still tight. If not, repeat the tightening process.