If you live in a region that delivers harsh winters with snow and ice, it might be necessary to purchase tire chains. Tire chains give your tires more traction when driving through slippery road conditions. They attach to the drive wheels of the car, and are made to fit specific tire sizes and styles. The downsides are that tire chains will only allow your car to go about fifty miles per hour, and they greatly reduce your car's fuel efficiency, but in the snowy and ice right circumstances, they are a necessity.
Different states have different laws regarding tire chains, so make sure you find out the law in your state before you purchase chains for your tires Car Repair Tool. In some states, chains are required when the weather gets to a certain condition. The states with no chain laws at all are Vermont, Ohio, New Hampshire, Maine, Missouri, Washington DC, and Florida.
To install tire chains, first you have to know whether you have a front-wheel drive or rear-wheel drive vehicle. Since the chains are designed to give more traction, they belong on the driving wheels. Make sure your tires don't have any special needs in regards to tires. Certain limited clearance tires (like "class S" tires) need special chains.
Before you apply the chains to your tires, make sure you are out of harm's way and not near traffic. Make sure your emergency brake is set and that your car's engine is off. Carefully lay the chains evenly on the ground parallel to one another. The chains should be flat, with no twists or kinks in them.
Keeping the fastener hook on the inside, apply the chains to the drive tires. Make sure the chains are smooth and flat against the tire, and reach around and fasten the fastener ("J hook") into the "keeper" link Car Diagnostic Tool. Pull the slack toward the sidewall of the tire.
Disengage the emergency brake, start the engine, and drive forward a foot or so. Reengage the emergency brake, turn off the engine, and once again pull the slack out of the chains and refasten them tighter.
If there is anymore slack, you can cut extra links off with bolt cutters or gather them up and secure them with those rigid plastic zip ties.
If these instructions seem confusing at all, make sure you read all instructions that come with your snow chains and if you have questions about that, ask a qualified professional to assist you. Improperly attached snow tires can be even more dangerous than driving without the chains at all. Your safety and the safety of your passengers is of utmost importance, so if you are the least bit squeamish or nervous about applying the chains yourself, make sure you ask your mechanic or more mechanically inclined friend to help you.
Even with snow chains, it is important to follow the right steps to driving safely in inclement weather conditions. Stay aware, stay awake, and keep your eyes on the road.
Jack Labens works for Empire Covers, a leading provider of car covers and accessories such as truck covers and boat covers. Empire Covers can be found online at: or at their blog .Related Links
