Introduction

If you live in an area where driving through lots of snow is the norm, you should definitely own a set of tire chains. Although some details will vary depending on the type of chains you're installing, these basic steps apply to nearly all passenger vehicle snow chains.

What Are Snow Chains?

In many areas across the country, winter weather turns roads icy and treacherous for long stretches of the year. You can get special snow tires that will help your vehicle handle better in the snow, but even those are sometimes not enough to get through the heaviest of winter storms. One of the best and most proven ways to give your car more traction in the snow is by throwing snow chains on your tires. Wrapping a snow chain around a tire allows it to bite deeper into the snow and ice, preventing your wheels from spinning out as easily. They’ll make your car a bit clunkier to drive and limit your speed, but that’s an easy trade-off when you’re dealing with slick roads. Here’s how to put snow chains on your tires.