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How To
Install Tire Chains
By Miles Cook
Email
If you live where the climate calls for snowy winters, then there's
a chance you'll eventually need tire chains. Even here in California,
the need for chains often surfaces in the mountain areas of places
like the Sierra Nevadas and the Mountain Lake regions of Big Bear
and Lake Arrowhead in San Bernardino County.
At first, installing tire chains seemed like it would be more
hassle than we wanted to think about. But once we read the directions
and tried it in our driveway, we learned that installation is
quite easy.
A new aspect that we show here is the availability of something
other than traditional chains. That's right, these "traction cables,"
as they are called, are not made using standard chain. They're
metal cables with steel sleeves wrapped around the cables. Installation
of them is much the same as with regular chains and the lever-lock
clamping setup on each cable makes installation even easier.
Made by Peerless Chain Company, these SnoTrac traction cables
for light-truck applications are ideal for our long-term GMC Sierra.
We got the cables at K-Mart for about 60 bucks. The photo sequence
below shows the installation process and the following tire sizes
are what Peerless says these cables (part number 0166955) will
fit:
31x10.50-15
10-15LT
LT245/85R15
LT265/75R15
7.50-16LT
P245/75R16
LT235/80R16
LT235/85R16
9.50-16.5LT
10-16.5LT
7.00-17LT
P275/60R17
LT235/75R17.5
- The Peerless cables come in a convenient plastic carrying
case. Unroll and lay the cables on a flat surface to make
sure there are no broken cables (or links if you have chains)
or other damaged components.
- After inspection, begin by laying the cable flat near the
tire you're installing it on.
-
Drape the cable over the top of the tire. As you look at the
tire, the ends of the side cables with the keyhole latch attachments
should be on the right-hand side of the tire.
-
With the lever lock on the outer sidewall (and on the right
side of the tire as explained in step 3) make sure the cable
crossmembers are straight across the tire's tread.
-
To bring the keyhole latches and lever lock to a comfortable
working height, roll the vehicle slowly forward about a foot
until the keyhole latch would line up roughly with the axle.
The cable will fall back on the ground as shown, but when
you go to redrape the cable back onto the tire, the lever
lock will be in an easier place for you to attach it and part
of the cable will be underneath the tire as shown.
-
First, the cable needs to be secured on the inner side of
the tire. Pull the end of the cable with the knobs up to meet
the keyhole latch. We used the second knob in from the end
of the cable to secure the cable to the back side of tire.
-
Now, begin working on the outer sidewall to fasten the lever
lock. Pull the end of the side cable with the knobs to meet
the lever lock. At this point, recheck to make sure the crossmember
cables are centered over the tire tread.
- We attached the lever lock to the third knob to make sure
the cable fit tightly over the tire. To close the lever lock,
pull the lever 180 degrees toward the top of the tire.
-
The installed cable looks like this. Drive the vehicle cautiously
about a half-mile and recheck the installation.
-
This close-up shows how the crossmember hook ends must face
away from the tire tread when the cables are installed. You
need to be sure about this or the cable hook ends could damage
the tire by digging into the rubber.
- This close-up shows how the lever lock works as explained
in steps 7 and 8. The lever lock secures by hooking the end
of it to the side cable as shown.
There are
also several precautionary measures you should know concerning
tire chains or cables. They are as follows:
- Practice
installing the cables (or chains) before you actually need them.
Tire sizes can vary by manufacturer and it's important to check
for proper fit before the actual need arises.
- Do not
use cables on snow tires.
- Do not
exceed 30 mph while the cables are installed. Accelerate slowly
and evenly. Avoid spinning the tires. The life of the cables
will vary according to road conditions, driving speed and individual
driving habits.
- Try to
avoid locking the wheels while braking, driving on bare pavement
that's not covered with snow or ice, or hitting curbs, as these
things will cause premature wear to the cables.
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