During winters, drivers need to exercise extreme caution while driving. Snow and ice can spell trouble, especially for those drivers who are inexperienced driving in those conditions, or those who don’t prepare. One of the most important aspects of winterizing your car is tire care. Snow tire chains provide an option for drivers in slippery conditions.

The first rule of thumb for tire chains is to make sure they can actually be used on your vehicle. That means dragging out the old owner’s manual. After making sure tire chains are safe for your car, truck, or SUV, check with your local law enforcement officials to make sure the chains are legal in your state. When buying snow tire chains, make sure they fit the tires before actual use. Tire chains should be pre-installed long before you head out into the snow. Drivers should carefully follow the installation instructions for their tire chains, which should be applied by hand as tightly as possible. When installing the chains, the tires should be inflated normally, without deflating the tires to ease the application process! After putting the tire chains on all four tires, drive about a quarter mile, then stop and retighten. When driving with snow tire chains, drivers must not exceed 30 miles per hour.

For cars, there are many snow tire chain options to choose from. Cable chains are the most economical option; They are lightweight and often have galvanized steel rollers to increase traction on vehicles with limited fender clearance. Twisted link chains are another economical option for vehicles with minimal clearance. Highway chains are usually all-steel with a swivel design as well, but these chains are designed for vehicles with unrestricted wheel clearance, and the heavier chains provide greater durability and traction. Sno Grip chains are a great choice for winter weather – they provide superior traction and a smooth ride, and the square link design allows for stopping, stopping and cornering better than any conventional ladder design. Road King chains offer a square link design, with a Y-shaped chain. This offers drivers a comfortable yet aggressive ride with less vibration and noise. Finally, V-bar snow tire chains provide aggressive traction for snow removal and emergency vehicles, but should not be used on vehicles with restricted wheel clearance.

Regardless of the brand or style of snow tire chains used, winter drivers must ensure that the chains have the proper fit and are installed correctly to provide the greatest protection for the driver and passengers.