How to Install Tire Cable Chains
Cable tire chains are designed to be used when roads are covered with ice or snow. They increase the traction of tires in slippery driving conditions. The most important tires to put chains on are the drive tires of a vehicle. Tire cable chains can be installed on all four tires. Cable chains must be installed properly to keep them on the tire during travel and keep them from coming loose and damaging the vehicle.
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Things You'll Need
- 4 tire cable chains sized appropriately for your tires
- 4, 6-point spider bungee cords
Instructions
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1
Lay the cable tire chains flat on the ground in front of each of the tires to be chained up with the hooks facing downward.
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2
Drive the vehicle forward until the tires are in the center of the tire cable chains from side to side and from front to back.
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3
Engage the vehicle's parking or emergency brake.
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4
Face the tire and get down on your knees. Reach your left hand toward the front inside hook of the chain and your left hand toward the rear inside cable fastener. Grasp these with your hands and bring them up to the top of the tire and hook them together.
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5
Grasp the outside hook and cable fastener and tug on the tire chain to remove as much of the slack in the chain as possible. Hook them together in the tightest slot possible. Do this for all four tires.
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6
Get in the car and release the brake. Drive forward 20 feet and then drive backward 20 feet. Engage the brake.
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7
Retighten all of the chains by undoing the outer hook and then retightening the inner hook. Pull on the outer hook and binder to remove additional slack created during driving forward and backward and then hook them together again as tight as possible.
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8
Pull your chains tight and even with a 6-point rubber bungee cord. Hook the hooks of the bungee cord to the circumferential cable running around the outside of the tire to keep the chain tight if it loosens while driving.
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Tips & Warnings
Stop and tighten your tire cable chains every few miles to keep them from coming loose and damaging your vehicle.
References
- Photo Credit Transcendent Road image by Klim from Fotolia.com
