The winter season is in full swing, and it’s time to prep your vehicle for the worst. One of the essential parts of winter driving is having snow chains on hand, just in case you need them. Today we’re going to talk about how to put snow chains on your tires.

But first, let’s talk about why snow chains are even necessary.

Why should you put snow chains on your tires?

Snow chains come in different sizes, designs, and materials. If you’re driving on a snowy or icy road, then your tires must have the correct type of snow chains to help prevent skidding and maintain control of your vehicle.

Snow chains can also improve traction and grip when roads are wet and slippery. They increase traction and help prevent skidding, especially when the wheels lose contact with the road.

What are the different types of snow chains?

Snow chains can be divided into two general types: tire and cable chains.

Tire chains

Tire chains are made of metal and attach to your tires. Tire chains are usually made of steel or alloy and provide better grip than cable chains because the teeth dig deeper into the road’s surface.

Cable chains

Cable chains consist of a series of metal links, and they attach to your wheel rims. Cable chains give you more stability while driving in slushy conditions, but tire chains are stronger overall because the links lock together when you turn the steering wheel.

How to put snow chains on your tires

If you’re driving in slippery conditions and it’s recommended that you put snow chains on your tires, then here are the steps to follow.

1. Park your vehicle and, for safety reasons, leave it in park or neutral with the parking brake firmly applied.
2. Loosen the bolts that attach the chains to your tire with pliers or a wrench. This will make putting them on easier later, but don’t remove them altogether.
3. If you have a rear-wheel drive vehicle, attach one end of the chain behind one tire and loop it around the other side. If you have a four-wheel or all-wheel drive, be sure to secure it behind each tire.
4. Repeat step three for the other side of the vehicle if needed.
5. Tighten down the bolts with your pliers or wrench to secure the chains in place and prevent them from falling off when you’re driving around.
6. Once the chains are on, test them by taking your vehicle for a short spin around the block.
7. If everything seems in order, you can drive onto the snowy or icy road and continue driving normally. Keep at least ten car lengths between yourself and other vehicles on the road, so you don’t risk sliding into them.
8. If you’re driving in highly snowy conditions, you can tighten the chains by their bolt connections to ensure they don’t move around too much and come off.

Other winter driving essentials to keep in your car

Aside from snow chains, there are different winter driving essentials that you should always keep in your car. These are things that will be helpful when you are in a pinch during the winter season.

Keep these items in your trunk so they are ready to use at all times:

• Pair of gloves
• Small shovel (to dig your car out)
• Salt (or other de-icing agents like cat litter or sand that can be used on the road if needed)
• Blankets
• Flashlight and batteries
• Flares or reflective triangle (for greater visibility in case you get stuck at night)
• Jumper cables
• First aid kit
• Basic tool kit (with pliers, wrench, screwdriver, and other things that might prove helpful)
• Water and snacks (in case you get stuck in your car for any reason)

Winter Repair And Maintenance Services In Atlanta

If you are in Atlanta and looking for a repair shop that can help you and your car out, then T3 Atlanta is always your best bet.

T3 Atlanta is a trusted name in providing general automotive repair services for Lexus, Nissan, Infiniti, and Toyota vehicles in the Atlanta Metro Area. Give us a call today, and we’ll have you penned in for a visit in the soonest time possible.