Buying tire chains can be intimidating, confusing, and difficult. Follow these tips to ensure safety in the snow.

When Purchasing

1.First, consider buying tire chains when you buy your tires. It may be easier to ensure you get the right size and type of chains for your tire when they aren't already on your car or truck.

2.Read your owner's manual to see what it has to say about tire chains. Your owner's manual might tell you what type and size chains to buy, as well as give specific directions on how many sets to purchase, which tires to use them on, and when it is necessary to pull over and install them.

3.Check to make sure your car has enough clearance (at least one inch) between the tire and the wheel well.

4.Learn the different types of tire chains. Ladder chains, the most common, and run chains straight across the tire tread to make a pattern of a ladder. These were the most common design, but features a lot of tire space in between each chain link which allows for contact of tire and ice, reducing traction. Diamond tire chains have a distinctive diamond pattern of interlocking metal strands and provide more surface area of chain on the tire tread. Long-lasting cable tire chains feature metal strips on cables stretching horizontally across the tread of the tire which are held on with rubber fasteners. Link tire chains are a cross between cable and diamond tire chains and have rows of metal links that run horizontally across the tread of the tire. Zig-zag tire chains have lightweight pieces of cable in a zig-zag pattern across the tire tread which allows part of the cable to remain in constant contact with the road. Zigzag tire chains are safe for cars with anti-lock braking systems.

5.For most cars, it is recommended to use two sets (a grand total of 4) of tire chains so you have one chain per tire. If you only are purchasing one set of tire chains and your manual does not give specific instructions, put the tire chains on the tires bearing the most power. For example, if you have a rear-wheel drive car, put the tire chains on the rear set of tires to access the most traction.

6.After you make your purchase, put at least one of your new tire chains on in the parking lot, even if you are buying them in the middle of August. You do not want to find out your tire chains are too small when you are stuck on the side of a highway in the middle of a snowstorm. You also do not want to learn how to install them in the blinding snow, in the dark, when you can't feel your fingers.

To Install

1.Pull completely off the road and out of traffic. Set your emergency brake, and put on your emergency flashers.

2.Lay out the tire chains parallel to each other on the ground and untangle any kinks.

3.Drape the tire chains over each tire, keeping the "spread hook" or "J hook" fastener on the inside wall of the tire. The lever fastener with the "keeper link" should be on the outer side of the tire. REMEMBER: if you are only using two tire chains, put them on the driving tires.

4.Make sure the smooth side of the cross member end hooks is lying against the tires.

5.Reach behind each tire and fasten the speed hooks by inserting the J hooks through the third links from the opposite ends of the outer chins and pivot the levers back on themselves and then fasten them with the keeper links.

6.Drive forward three to five feet. Reset the emergency brake.

7.Pull all the slack out of the chains and refasten them as tight as possible. There should be about the same number of loose links on each side of the chains.

8.Secure the extra links with zip ties or cut them off with bolt cutters.

9.To lengthen the life of the chains, consider adding rubber fasteners.