Tire Chain Safe Driving with Tire Chains Winter Driving Driving in Snow
Many motorists are only vaguely familiar with the idea of using tire chains on their vehicles during the winter months. Most cities of any size have adequate snow removal systems in place. In areas where the terrain is reasonably flat, good snow tires or 4-Wheel Drive vehicles are all that is necessary for safe driving in inclement weather.
In areas where deep snows, icy conditions and treacherous mountain roads are the norm, tire chains are not only a good idea, they may be required in some areas. Even experienced winter drivers may turn to tire chains when the going gets really rough.
Putting winter tire chains on your vehicle requires a bit of patience and ability, especially the first time out. The crucial first step in the process is purchasing the correct tire chain for your tires. Take time to talk with an experience employee at your local auto store. They will help you understand the sizing guide you must use to determine which chains will fit the size of tires you have. Don’t guess on this point, and don’t use chains that are too large or too small in the hope that they will be good enough. Improperly fitted tire chains are worse than no chains at all, allowing for the potential of damaging your vehicle or making a bad driving experience worse.
Think of your first experience driving with tire chains on your vehicle in much the same way you approached your first attempt at driving a car. Search out a vacant parking lot where there is no danger of hitting anything or anyone and prepare to go for a test drive. Take your newly purchased tire chains out of the package and straighten out the links. You have a couple of options when it comes to deciding how many tire chains to use. Putting chains on all four tires is fine, if that’s what you choose to do. You will retain the greatest level of control over your vehicle if you do. If you decide to use tire chains on only two tires, make sure you select the right two tires for installation. Rear-wheel-drive vehicles must have the tire chains on the two back wheels. Front-wheel-drive vehicles need chains on the front two tires.
The next step might be easier to accomplish if you have some help. Put your vehicle in gear with the parking brake engaged. Start at the top of the tire and guide the tire chain around the tire, trying to place the links evenly. Work around the portion of the tire that meets the pavement as best you can; you’ll address this area better in a minute. Use the connection ring to secure the chain properly. Safe driving with tire chains begins with proper application of the chains on the tires. After the chain is distributed and secured over three quarters of the tire, disengage your parking brake and move your vehicle forward a few feet. Reset the parking brake and complete the task of securing the tire chain on the remainder of the tire.
After you tighten the chains around the tire, drive the vehicle forward about 100 feet. Stop, get out of your vehicle and check the chains again to remove any remaining slack on the chains. After you’ve accomplished this you are ready to drive.
Expect tire chains to slow you down. After all, you’re using them in snowy conditions and on treacherous roads to help you safely reach your destination. Slow and bumpy will be the name of the game. Check the instructions from your tire chain manufacturer for recommended safe driving speeds. Accelerate and decelerate with caution. You’ll want to avoid spinning or locking your wheels while driving.
Removing your tire chains will be much easier than installing them. And you will want to remove them as soon as the need for having them on your vehicle passes. You need to disconnect the chain and let the chains drop to the ground. Flatten the links as much as possible. Drive the vehicle a few feet to get clearance past the chains and you are ready to repackage them and put them back in your trunk until the next time.
The use of tire chains is usually considered reserved for the worst case scenario in winter driving. But if you expect to drive in snow country you should be prepared for the possibility of pulling out all stops. Being prepared can eliminate a frustrating and potentially driving experience this winter.
