On some mountain roads where it is slippery and where there is a lot of snow, it may be necessary or even mandatory to use snow chains. Snow chains can look scary, but the basic idea is very simple: you put them around your tires, you drive slowly forward and then you tighten them. When it's cold and snowing, that's easier said than done, but putting the snow chains on before you hit the snowy roads will make it easier on yourself.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Swapping the chains
Step 1. Lay down the snow chains and remove any twists and knots
If you have the time to do this before venturing into the dark cold world, your fingers (and patience) will thank you. Down the road, this process may take more time than you think.
Step 2. Put the snow chain on the top of the tire after your car is parked, the parking brake is on and the chains are straight
Try to hang the snow chain over the top, within three-quarters of the tire, making sure the chains running from side to side are straight.
Some types of snow chains have rings attached to the chains. These rings come on the inside of the belt, and should be at the bottom of the belt, close to the ground during repositioning. That means you'll need to get under your car to install the chain, and it might take some effort
Step 3. Drive the car forward a little to turn up the remaining empty section of the tire
Put the car in gear, release the parking brake and carefully roll forward. Remember that only a small part of the tire is empty, so you only have to drive forward a little bit. When you have determined that you have driven forward enough to do the last stretch of tire, you can park the car again and apply the handbrake.
Step 4. Connect the chains together
Start at the inside of the band (the shaft side) and fasten the two crochet edges together. Do the same for the outside of the tires. With a locking clutch you fasten the links of the chain in such a way that they can move as little as possible while driving.
- If you use traditional chains, you do not need to use additional tools to tighten the chain. These chains can be tensioned with a link tensioning system.
- An elastic with hooks is a common way to tighten the chains even more over the straps, especially if the chains don't have a built-in tensioning system. You can usually buy these elastics at stores where you also buy snow chains.
Step 5. Check again that the connections on the inside and outside are approximately equal
If the inner part is tight, but the outer part is still loose, then you need to align them better.
Step 6. Repeat the same process for the other tires on your car
If you have more experience in fitting snow chains, you can mount snow chains on rear or front tires at the same time. Doing so will make the whole process much faster.
Step 7. Drive 500 meters and then tighten the chains again
If you have driven a bit, the snow chains can shift, so you have to tighten them again to make sure they are tight.
Method 2 of 2: Avoiding common mistakes
Step 1. Know which tires to fit snow chains on
Many people do not know how many tires to fit snow chains on. You can follow this as a rule: fit snow chains on all driving wheels of your car. So if you have front-wheel drive you have to fit snow chains on the two front wheels of the car. If you have four-wheel drive, you can mount snow chains on all wheels.
Step 2. Choose the right size snow chains
To find out what the right size snow chain is for your type of car, you first need to know the size of your tires. Look for a string of letters and numbers on the outside of the tire. The first number indicates the bandwidth; the second number represents the height of the tire as a percentage of the width; the third number represents the diameter of the wheel, usually stated in inches. You will need this information if you are going to buy snow chains.
Step 3. Do not go skiing until you have checked whether your snow chains fit properly
It sounds logical, but many people make this mistake: they assume that the chains fit properly, and then when it starts snowing in the mountains, they find out that they can't use the snow chains because they don't fit. Make sure you don't end up in that situation. Try the snow chain at home first to make sure you have the right size.
Step 4. Keep in mind that it takes a while to put on the snow chains and make sure you wear the right clothes
The idea behind changing snow chains sounds so simple that many people think the job can be done in minutes. That is not true. When it is snowing and dark, putting on snow chains can take an hour or more. And make sure you wear sturdy, warm, waterproof clothing rather than just a ski suit.
Step 5. Remove the snow chains again as soon as the road is clear of snow and ice
Remove the snow chains when conditions improve, or if you see a sign indicating that snow chains are no longer needed. Do not continue driving with your snow chains - you will damage the road and your tires.
Tips
- Snow chains are always attached to the drive wheels to ensure maximum traction when steering. So with rear-wheel drive you place the snow chains on the rear wheels. With four-wheel drive, you place the snow chains on the front wheels.
- Check on the chains what the maximum speed you can drive with these snow chains. In many cases you are not allowed to drive faster than 50 kilometers per hour.
- After you have ridden on the snow chains, you should probably get out of the car to see if the tires are in the right place on the snow chains. If not, do it again and check again.
Warnings
- Make sure all hooks are facing out so you don't damage your tires while driving.
- Only put on snow chains on a level surface, never on a slope.
- Take a good look at your surroundings so that you don't hit anyone when moving the car.