How to Choose Snow Chains for Your Tyres

By , posted on May 14th, 2012

Choosing Snow Chains for Your Tyres

Snow can greatly increase difficulties when driving, if going through snow you might consider installing snow chains on the car tyres!

Choosing the right snow chains will you safe while driving on icy or snow-encrusted roads. Determining the snow chains that are best for your tyres may be simpler than you think. The simplest way to effectively choose snow chains for your tyre is to know exactly how big your tyres are before you make your purchase.

Finding the Right Size for Your Snow Chains

Your tyres should be stamped with a size. You can find these measurements on the sidewall of your tyre. After you know the size of your tyres, you can then take these measurements to a tyre store or search for tyre chains online.

It is important to make sure that you find snow chains that will fit your tyres correctly otherwise the sidewall will become damaged. Having an accident is much more likely if you buy an incorrect size of snow chains, and you may also experience a tyre blow out.

Other Considerations to Make When Choosing Snow Chains for Your Vehicle

Another aspect to consider is that rental snow chains will usually come in a single size, so it is best to buy your own snow chains especially if you will be using them frequently throughout the snowy season.

To prepare yourself for the experience of driving with snow chains on, you may want to test them out first. If you can, you should try driving before you encounter extreme weather conditions, and you will get the best indication of how these tyres will perform by driving on a dirt road or on softer ground.

Before you purchase snow chains, you should also ensure that your car has clearance to use these types of chains. Some cars may incur damage if snow chains are placed around the wheel, so you should ensure that your car is properly equipped and that there is enough space between the wheel-well and the tyre itself to accommodate the chains.

Installing Snow Chains

Choosing Snow ChainsWhen the time comes for you to install your snow chains, you should begin by inspecting all parts of the chain thoroughly to ensure that there are no damaged or broken links. After this step, you should lay the chains flat on the ground as near to the tyre that you are installing as possible. You will then want to secure the snow chains on the inner wall of the tyre and repeat with the other side, fastening the tyre and the chain securely. Your snow chains should fit tightly to your tyre, and you can check to ensure that they are placed properly and securely to your tyre by driving your car around the block.

snow chain on car

If you aren't familar with installing the chains - why not get some help - make sure they are on correctly!

If you are unfamiliar with installing chains, you should take some time to practice before you need to use them to drive on icy roads. This will give you some insight into exactly what you will have to accomplish to get your snow chains on the car, and it can also help you understand how to fit the chains and how tight they should be on the tyre.

In addition to choosing snow chains, you should also choose a car insurance policy that will protect you and your vehicle if you are involved in an accident. Finding the most affordable insurance can be a daunting task, but we have made this process much simpler. At Car Insurance Comparison UK, you can quickly and easily compare car insurance rates on several policies until you find the one that matches your needs and provides you with the right amount of protection for every season.