Tire chains are state-monitored and are usually only used in areas where they are deemed necessary. In some steep mountainous areas, tire chains are required during the winter on every type of vehicle that attempts to pass through. Vehicles may have winter tires or even studded tires, but those are not enough to safely pass through these hazardous conditions.
Front-wheel-drive vehicles must put snow chains on their front tires, and rear-wheel-drive vehicles must put them on their rear axle. The owner's manual in four-wheel-drive vehicles will determine which axle to put tire chains on, however the best idea is to put tire chains on all four tires.
Ideally, you should put tire chains on all four tires for all types of vehicles. By using four tire chains, you'll be able to obtain the best possible traction and balance. Problems can occur by only chaining one axle. If chains are only put on the front tires, the back of the vehicle can react unpredictably during driving and braking, while if chains are only put on the rear tires, the steering ability of the vehicle is jeopardized.
When it comes time to install your tire chains, here are the steps you should follow:
To remove the chains, simply reverse the installation process.
Having a trial tire chain installation and practice run are always good ideas. This way, you'll know exactly what you're doing when it's time for the real thing. Plus, you'll be able to make sure the tire chains fit properly. Here are a couple other hints to help you with your tire chains:
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