When driving on wet, slippery and snow-covered surfaces, snow chains are absolutely essential for safety. While these tools may sound complex, the basic concept is pretty simple: put the chains on the tires, slowly move the car forward and tighten them. When the weather is cold and wet, this process is easier said than done, but if you do it before you hit the snow covered roads, everything is easier.
Steps
Step 1. Unfold the chains on the ground and untangle any twisted or tangled parts
If you have the time to do this work before venturing into the "dark and frozen world", your fingers (and patience) will be grateful; when you are on the road this process takes longer than you can imagine.
Step 2. Place the straightened chains over the tire after parking the car and applying the parking brake
You should cover about three-quarters of the wheel, making sure that the links going from side to side are straight.
- Some models are equipped with rings attached to the links which must be positioned towards the inner shoulder of the tire and which, during installation, should remain on the ground near the base of the wheel. In this case, you have to slide under the car to proceed with the assembly and you may need to tinker a bit.
- Push the chains under the tire so that when you bring the car forward in the next step, they are ready to be secured at the rear.
Step 3. Bring the car forward slightly to expose the remaining quarter tire that is not yet attached to the chains
Engage first gear, release the parking brake and drive the car a little forward. When you feel you have moved it far enough to ensure complete assembly of the chains, stop it and re-engage the handbrake.
Step 4. Connect the various elements of the chain together
Start from the inside, near the axis, and join the two edges with hooks; repeat the operation on the outside of the wheel. Using the closest links, tighten the rest of the chain so that it moves as little as possible while driving.
- If you have self-tensioning chains, don't use any tools to stretch them; the traditional ones can instead be tightened with a special tool.
- Typically, an elastic cord with hooks is used to keep the chains on the tires in tension, especially if they do not have integrated clamping cams. Bungee cords are available from any retailer who also handles snow chains.
Step 5. Carefully inspect the internal and external connections to make sure they are aligned enough with each other
If the inner portion is tight but the outer portion is loose, you need to arrange them.
Step 6. Repeat the process exactly for the other wheel on the vehicle
Once you have gained some experience with fitting snow chains, you can start installing them on both front tires at the same time; in this way, you speed up the work a lot.
Step 7. Drive about 500m and re-tension the chains
After a short distance, the chains shift slightly and must be re-tensioned to ensure the safest grip.
Avoid Common Mistakes
Step 1. Know how many wheels you need to fit the chains on
Many people don't know how many tires need to be equipped with this device. It is a good idea to install them on all four, regardless of whether it is a vehicle with one or two drive axles; in this way, you have an evenly distributed braking power and one of the axles does not slip.
Alternatively, you can put them on all of the vehicle's driving wheels. Consequently, if the car is front-wheel drive, mount the chains on the front tires; if you have an all-wheel drive car, put chains on all wheels
Step 2. Get the chains of the right size
To understand which ones are suitable for your vehicle, you need to know the size of the tires. Look for a long sequence of letters and numbers on the shoulder of the gum. The first number indicates its width, the second expresses the height of the tire as a percentage of its width, while the third refers to the diameter, usually expressed in inches. You need this data when you go to buy snow chains.
Before buying them, consult the car owner's manual. There are some tire / rim combinations that are not compatible with the chains themselves and you could damage the vehicle
Step 3. Don't drive without first checking the fitment
It seems obvious, but it's a mistake many people make. People believe that chains fit like gloves, but when it comes time to put them on the road, they find that they are unusable because they do not fit the type of wheel or car. Don't get in trouble and do a good fitting test before driving in the snow.
Step 4. Give yourself enough time for assembly and dress appropriately for work
Since the concept behind installing chains is so simple, many people mistakenly believe that this is a matter of minutes and that they can hit the road immediately afterwards; in fact, it's not that fast. When there are weather conditions that require the use of chains - snow, ice, darkness - the assembly of these devices can take an hour or even more. Unless you want to find yourself cold, dirty and wet, wear rain gear instead of a ski suit.
Step 5. Remove the chains as soon as you reach a clean road
If the weather conditions improve or you encounter a sign indicating that the chains are no longer needed, remove them immediately; do not continue driving with these devices, as they damage the asphalt and tires.
Advice
- The chains must always be installed on the drive wheels for maximum grip while steering; consequently, if the car is rear-wheel drive, mount the chains on the rear tires, vice versa if you have a front-wheel drive car. If you are driving an all-wheel drive car, put the chains on the front wheels.
- Check them to know what is the maximum allowed driving speed while they are mounted; in many cases, you cannot exceed 50 km / h.
- After spinning the wheels with the chains installed, you should get out of the car to check that the chains are in the correct position; if not, adjust them and check again.
Warnings
- Make sure that all hooks are facing outward to avoid damaging the tires while driving.
- Be aware of your surroundings so as not to hit someone while moving the car.
- Make sure you perform these operations on a level surface and not uphill.
