How to Put Snow Chains on Tires and How to Remove Them

According to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), 24% of weather-related car accidents occur on slushy, icy, or snowy roads.

Many cities deploy de-icing trucks regularly to spread salt on the roads and reduce slippery driving conditions. However, cold weather can make the salt ineffective after some time, so it’s a good idea to invest in snow chains to maintain traction while driving during winter.

How to Put Snow Chains on Tires

Snow chains help tires dig into snow, ice, and slick surfaces, improving the vehicle’s grip and traction. Securing them around your wheels can be tricky, whether you’re doing it in your garage or while your ride is stuck in a snowbank in a blizzard.

How to install snow chains could vary depending on their design and the tires. The process for traditional diamond snow chains usually involves the following steps:

Step 1: Find a safe place where you can work on the tires if possible. If you’re on the road, turn on the hazard lights to warn other drivers.

Step 2: Get the snow chains and hold them by the ends to check for loops and tangles. The chains must hang straight and loose. They go to the front wheels if you drive a front-wheel-drive vehicle or the back wheel if you drive a rear-wheel-drive vehicle.

Step 3: Lay the chains on the ground and push them behind your tire until they’re centered. Ensure the metal hooks are facing away from the tires to prevent damage.

Step 4: Pull the chains over the tire until you feel them against the axle, then slip one end over the other to connect them.

Step 5: Look for the hook on the opposite end of the connected cable. Connect it to the first link on the other side.

Step 6: Check for a diamond shape, which should appear after connecting the cable. The center rail must be between each diamond, running down the tire’s middle tread.

Step 7: Look for a hook opposite to the cable connected on top. Attach it to the chain link on the other side, then push it over the tire’s top.

Step 8: Pull the bottom chain (which typically includes a chain guide and a chain with a bungee) toward you. Run the chain with the bungee through the chain guide. Pull it tight until you can notch and lock the ends of the chain guides.

Step 9: Pull the chain with the bungee through at least one of the loops, then secure it. Use the bungee on the red chain and pull it through one or both red loops to secure it to a gold-side chain on the opposite side.

Step 10: Repeat the steps on the second tire.

Step 11: Test drive with the chains on to allow them to settle on the tires.

Note that these steps apply to traditional snow chains. Other types might have a different installation process. Fortunately, snow chains come with in-depth instructions on how to put them on your tires.

How to Remove Snow Chains

It’s easier to remove snow chains than to install them. Simply unhook the bungees, unlatch the hooks, and disconnect the cables. Once everything is off, lay the chains on the ground and move your car to pick them up without tangling them.

Dry the chains before storing them to prevent corrosion, which could weaken them and shorten their lifespan. It’s also a good idea to look for wear and replace any damaged chains immediately.

Types of Snow Chains

You can use diamond, cable, or alternative snow chains to improve your ride’s traction during winter, as long as they’re compatible with your vehicle. Here’s how they differ:

Diamond Snow Chains

Diamond snow chains are the traditional type that feature strings of metal links that form a diamond shape. They offer better traction than the rest because of the increased contact surface to the ground, making them perfect for heavy snowfalls.

Cable Snow Chains

Cable snow chains are lighter than traditional diamond chains. They cover the wheel with spaced-out, interconnected steel chains that improve traction and improve braking on medium snow.

Alternative Snow Chains

Alternative snow chains have snow socks made of thick fabric to enhance traction. They don’t actually have chains, so they’re quieter than other types. These chains are ideal for smaller cars during light snowfalls.

How Fast Can You Drive With Snow Chains?

While you can drive faster, it’s best to drive under 25 miles per hour when your tires have snow chains to avoid damaging them. Listen for audible noises that might indicate one of the chains broke and is slapping against your car.

Also, even with snow chains, driving at high speeds could still lead to accidents, as the weather can make it hard to steer and brake. Driving too fast and sudden braking can also put enough pressure on the chains to break them.

Other Snow Chain Installation Tips

Installing snow chains on your tires can seem like a straightforward process, but a lot can go wrong if you aren’t careful. Here are other snow chain safety tips to keep in mind: 

Get Snow Chains That Fit Your Tires

You can find your tire’s width, height ratio, and diameter printed on the outside edge of the tire. With these measurements in mind, check the packaging of the snow chains to see if they’ll fit your tires. 

Practice Installing Your New Chains

Practice makes perfect, so it’s a good idea to practice putting your snow chains on before you take your car out on a spin. 

Prepare a Winter Road Trip Safety Kit

Winter essentials like gloves, waterproof layers, and tire chains can make driving in the winter much safer. 

Follow the Instructions

Before anything else, go ahead and read the instructions your new snow chains came with. Make sure you follow their guide step-by-step to avoid improper installation. 

Untangle the Chains

Brand-new snow chains can get tangled in the packaging, so don’t forget to straighten everything out and get rid of any tangles. This extra step will make them easier to install. 

Drive Forward Slightly

No matter how excited you are to go about your day, it’s important to test-drive your vehicle first. Drive forward around 15 feet. Check for any noise that might indicate that the chains are rubbing against your vehicle. 

Tighten the Chains if Necessary

After that test drive, check for any slack in the chains. If some parts have come loose, unhook the rubber end of the red draw chain and pull until it’s tight again.

Where to Buy Snow Chains

Snow chains are available in tire stores and auto repair shops. There are also several selections online you can choose from, all of which have different snow chain types and sizes.