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Author: Autocasión
January 18, 2023
Just as important as having the chains in the car is knowing how to install them correctly. Incorrectly mounting the chains, in addition to not avoiding the problem of adhesion, can cause serious breakdowns in the car. We give you the keys to mount them correctly.
The snowfalls do not let up even at low levels, so, before you need them, you should learn very well each step that must be followed when it comes to put on snow chains on the wheels of your car. Even if you think you know, we recommend that you watch the following video once again because the fact that it is something that we do not do frequently can influence us to forget it. In addition, the cold and snow will make the process uncomfortable, so the sooner you know how to get them ready, the less frozen you will be when you resort to them.
The first thing you should be clear about is whether it is about traditional chains or fabric chains (the process may vary). You should also know what are the drive wheels of your car, those that provide traction; it will be in them where you should place them. Usually they are the front, but in rear-wheel drive cars it is necessary to put them behind. In all-wheel drive models it is recommended to put them in front, as long as torque reaches the front wheels. Also, in rear-wheel drive cars, since the rear wheels cannot be turned with the steering and the rear wheel clearance is smaller, it is probably more convenient to remove the wheel and mount the chains outside than to leave our knuckles trying to get them on. Car.
Snow chains will get you out of trouble
We remind you that in this link you will find more winter driving tips safely, so that adverse weather conditions such as wind, rain, hail or snow will not win you over behind the wheel.
Now yes, we fully enter our goal. The chains are an alternative to winter tires and are valid for those who occasionally drive over very cold areas. put them in the trunk it is always advisable and required by law (prior notice by the authorities). There are three types: the usual metal ones, complicated to assemble but very durable, cheap and available at many points of sale; the canvas and the spider type, easy to install, although more expensive and with a shorter useful life. Here we will deal with the former.
Snow chains, whatever their type, are incompatible with winter tires and, as we have said, they must always be mounted on the drive wheels. It should be remembered that they are only used to drive with great caution, at speeds below 50 km/h, and that they must be removed as soon as the snow or ice disappears. And of course they must have the tire size of your car.
How to put the snow chains, on video
1.- Unfold them and pass them through the inside of the wheel.
2.- You lift them up to the top of the tire and close the ring so that it rests on the rubber.
3.- Join the two colored hooks of the chain and close them on the outside.
4.- You push the flexible ring towards the inside of the wheel so that it stays on the tread.
5.- You pass the colored chain through the tensioner and pull it, hooking it in any link. To get it tight, you may need to repeat this step after a moment of driving forward.
6.- The chain will be well adjusted when you pull it over the tread and the slack does not exceed 1.5 cm.
7.- Remember that, with the chains, the behavior of the car changes, along with its braking capacity.
8.- Practice dry mounting, before needing them.
9.- To remove the chains from a front-wheel drive car, stop the vehicle when the hooks are 20 or 30 cm from the ground and release the colored chain from the tensioner. Then you disassemble it and that’s it. If the car is rear-wheel drive, you stop it when the tensioner is on the ground, release the chain from the tensioner, release the colored hooks and pull the chain towards you with slight swings to make sure that the wheel don’t step on any links. When the ring appears, you open it and pull the set until you get them out.
10.- Wash them with hot water and dry them before storing them. By the way, if they rust a bit, that’s okay, but you can prevent it with a little oil.
