How to Install Snow Chains

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You may need snow chains (also called tire chains) for extra traction in mountainous areas, or even in lowland areas that get a lot of snow. Make it a point to practice installing snow chains before you actually need them. This ensures that you'll know what to do, even when installing them in adverse conditions. Practice runs are also a good way of making sure you have the right size chains in the right vehicle.

Steps

1. 1
   Check your tire size, listed on the tire sidewall, and compare it to the tires listed on the chain packaging to make sure they are compatible.

   
   
2. 2
   Park your car on level ground, set the emergency brake and put the emergency flashers on if you're anywhere near traffic. Turn the vehicle off before installing the chains, and put the transmission in park or gear so your car is less likely to roll.
3. 3
   Identify the drive wheels on your vehicle. Vehicles can be front-wheel, rear-wheel or all-wheel drive.
   • Tire chains should always be installed on the drive wheels.
4. 4
   Lay the chains out in front of the appropriate tires, with the smooth or flat side of the chain links facing up.
   • Some snow chains have "Tire Side" marked on one side. This is the side that should face up when you lay the snow chains out.
5. 5
   Locate the split or loose side on each set of snow chain, and orient the chains so the split/loose side is on the outside of each tire.
   • This is either a literal split in the structure of the chains, or an extremely loose connection. Both features make it easier for you to get the snow chains on the tires; you then connect the split ends of the chain, or tighten the loose connection so the snow chains can't fall off.
6. 6
   Drive slowly forward until the tires are positioned over the middle of the chains.
   • If you have split chains, you don't need to drive forward. Instead, just pull the chains around the inside side of the tire, underneath the car, so the part of the tire that contacts the ground sits inside the "split."
   • If you're not using split chains and can't drive the vehicle forward onto the chains, you'll have to jack each tire up in turn to apply the chains. Always follow the vehicle manufacturer's instructions to safely jack your car up.
7. 7
   Grasp the connectors located toward the inside edge of the tire chains. Bring both ends of the chains up around the tire, and connect them on the inside edge.
8. 8
   Connect the outside edge of the tire chains on top of the tire.
9. 9
   Cinch the edges of the chains as tight as possible around the tire. The chains will cross over the tire treads, but each end of the chain set will lie against the tire sidewall.
10. 10
    Connect the ends of the "split" together. Or, if you're dealing with non-split tire chains, tighten the loose or sliding connector.
11. 11
    Check the tire chains' fit. Tire chains may fit loosely on the wheel, but should be tight enough not to fall off.
12. 12
    Attach tensioners, if you have them.
    • The tensioners resemble bungee cords that attach to several points around the perimeter of each tire chain, drawing the edges to tighten the tire chains around each tire. If you don't have tensioners, you can jury-rig one by using several bungee cords to tighten the chains.

    
    

Tips

• Carry a carpet scrap in your car to kneel on while you install the tire chains. Or, you can pull out one of the floor mats and kneel on that. Having warm but dexterous gloves available will also make installing tire chains less of an ordeal.

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