If you're living in an area with a lot of snow, you know exactly what it means to get stuck in your driveway. You probably got into a dangerous situation just because your car slid across your snowy road. Our team helps you select one of the ten best tire chains for snow!
Our team conducted an in-depth review of the current tire chains available in the market and compiled it into this amazing guide! Are you shopping for one? You must read this article before you make a final decision.
Why do I need snow chains for my vehicle’s tires?
While snow chains are not an essential component that every vehicle must have, they provide many great benefits.
Here are some of the benefits your car can gain if you install snow chains to the tires:
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Add additional traction to your tires
When you install a tire chain to your vehicle, you add better traction on an icy road than regular tires.
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Allow yourself easier turning
When it's a snowy day, you will find it very difficult to turn around and navigate. By adding the tire, you are providing additional traction to your tires and therefore allowing yourself easier and more convenient turning power.
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Gain faster driving
If you drive on a snowy day, you know how slow people drive to stay safe because their vehicle would slip and skids using the regular tires period
On the other hand, if you have tire chains, your vehicle will form similar to a regular day without risking slipping or skidding on the icy road.
Interesting! What are the best tire chains for snow in the market?
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Security Chain Company ZT741 Super Z LT
This snow chain is available on Amazon for $88.77. They are featured as they fit almost every vehicle from the modern class, you can't install them very easily, you will gain a reliable and durable snow chain, and you will achieve the best traction.
On the other hand, those snow chains are not recommended for heavier trucks, and you might face issues with the rubber tension.
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Peerless 0232805 Auto-Trac Light
You can purchase this chain for about $88.49 on Amazon, very close to the previous tire snow chain.
These lightweights snow chains I recommended for many drivers who drive in very deep snowfall. They provide smooth traction despite the snow depth.
Unfortunately, many people find it hard to understand the man manufacturer chart and those chains are considered relatively expensive compared to other chains in this list.
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Security Chain Company SZ143 Super Z6
This chain is now available also on Amazon for $81.99. If you don't prefer spending so much time installing tire chains, this example is your way to go.
Or the number of experts recommend them as easy to install anytime, also, it provides a self-tension while you're driving.
One of the drawbacks of this chain is that it does not provide the best performance on heavy snow days, and there's a high chance for the attention system to fail.
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KONIG CB-12 090 Snow chains
If you are interested in this snow chain, you can find it on Amazon for $70.94. This snow chain comes in great material that provides sturdy construction and excellent traction in icy conditions.
Unfortunately, those chains take so much time to be installed, and you might need to adjust the tension after a couple of times driving with them.
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Glacier 1046 Passenger Cable Tire Chain
Similar to the previously mentioned snow chain, this snow chain is available on Amazon for $70.19.
The Glacier 1046 he's one of the very few rust-resistant snow chains. Those chains are recommended for vehicles that usually do not fit snow chains.
On the other hand, if your vehicle is equipped with an ABS, you might not be able to install these snow chains. Also, it is very likely for those chains to break out if the road is very dry.
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Security Chain Company SC1032 Radial Chain Cable Traction Tire Chain
If you're looking for a cheaper snow chain, this one might be your choice! It is available on Amazon for $31.99.
This option is almost the most affordable on this list. It provides your tires with an anti-rust steel ability along with good durability.
The couple drawbacks about this snow chain are that you might need to adjust the tensioning frequently as you drive. Also, the low price reflects heavily on its performance periods. In other words, you might not achieve good performance if you use these chains for longer distances.
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Peerless 0155505 Auto-Trac Tire Traction Chain
This note chain is on the average value of snow chains; You can find it for $62.76 on Amazon.
If you're looking for an easy to install snow chain, this option is another great option!
The peerless snow chain provides great performance on deeper snow days, and it's considered the cheapest option among what the company produces.
Some of the top cons about this snow chain are that you cannot use them on SUVs or smaller trucks. It's also not the best option for long term use. Lastly, several customers complained about the confusing chart that comes with it.
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Security Chain Company SZ343 Shur Grip Super Z Passenger Car Tire Traction Chains
Another average price of snow chain, this one is also available on Amazon for $67.13. Another easy to install options with self-tensioning features is this one! It is recommended for snow days.
There's a high chance of breaking the rubber tensioners regarding the cons of these chains, and you might deal with malfunction issues.
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ISSE C60070 Classic Issue Snow Socks
This no changes a little to the higher end of snow chain prices, and you can find it on Amazon for about $89.66. Are you concerned about snow and ice? The issue of snow chains is your best option!
You can install them easily without damaging your vehicle.
Unfortunately, these chains are not suitable for every type of road condition; they might get wet very easily, affecting their performance; finally, they are not recommended for deeper snow conditions.
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Zip Grip Go Cleated Tire Traction Device
The last snow chain on our list is the zip grip Go cleated tire traction device. This chain is not very pricey, and you can find it on Amazon for $49.99.
To install these chains, you don't need to have the best and most advanced technical skills or mechanical skills. They are very small and affordable.
Those chains are recommended for emergencies only, not for everyday use.
The biggest drawback about these chains is that they're not suitable for reuse, and therefore, you cannot rely on them for long-term uses.
What are the different types of snail chains?
Snow chains usually come in two broad categories:
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Tire chains
Tire chains are the most commonly known chains for snow. They are a group of chains connected to provide a mesh-like wrapped around your tires.
Those chains are known for that tough material and long durability. They are recommended for everyday use and considerably stronger than any other chains.
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Tire cables
If you're looking for some lighter snow solutions that can grip better on the tire, your tire cables are your better option.
While the fire cables came to provide goods protection to your tires and allow you to drive well in the snow, they are not recommended for everyday use, and you better use them occasionally.
Key consideration you need to keep in mind when shopping for the best tire chains for snow
As you look through the different brands of tire chains, there are a couple of considerations you need to keep in mind to achieve the best results:
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Snow chain size
When shopping for a snow chain, you need to understand your tire size because you don't want to install a very large or very small snow chain to your tires.
You can look through your vehicles owner’s manual to get more details about your car's tires and then compare them to the snow chain tires specifications
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Snow chain category
Snow chains come for different car categories. For instance, if you drive a passenger car, you might need an SAE class S snow chain designed specifically for front-wheel-drive cars.
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Snow chain material
If you finally install a snow chain to your car's tires, you want to make sure that those changes do not damage the road or damage the car itself.
That's why you should be looking for rubber chains that are not slippery. While metal chains can help you control the driving in snowy days, there is a high chance for those chains to damage the roads.
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Snow chain weight
As you shop for snow chains, keep an eye on the chain weight—the heavier the snow chain, the easier control and driving on heavy snow days. However, when you install heavy chains on your tires, you’re forcing your vehicle to produce more power to handle these heavy chains. Therefore, we recommend that you balance between the chain weight and the performance you're looking for.
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Snow chain installation
Snow chain installation is a big thing when it comes to choosing the final snow chain option. Usually, the most popular snow chains are the ones easily installed.
Where can I find information about my tire size?
We mentioned earlier, before choosing a snow chain, you need to make sure that you have detailed information about your car tires' size.
The best way to get this information is by looking through your vehicle's owner's manual or by looking at the tire itself.
If you look at the sidewall above the rim of the tire, you will find a number. Usually, the first three digits of this number indicate your tire's width, and the other double-digit numbers indicate your tire's height. Lastly, the third double-digit number is the diameter of the tires.
Can any vehicle fit a snow chain?
While most vehicles accept snow chains, some vehicles with little tire clearance might not be great for having snow chains.
To get the best information, you can always refer to your vehicle's owner's manual and get details.
If you don't have a copy of the manual, you can download a soft copy from the Internet or request a hard copy from your professional mechanic.
Do I need to install snow chains on the form tires?
Most of the time, people install snow chains only on tires that are used for traction. This way, he can control the driving while saving money without installing unnecessary snow chains to the other two tires.
Are snow chains allowed in my state?
This is a great point. A lot of states allow using snow chains during certain times of the year. However, it is important to check if you are a state allow them or not by search on Google or find on the state's website.
Conclusion
If you are driving in an area with a lot of snow, it might be worth looking into additional items and features that you can add to your vehicle to help you drive smoothly.
Snow chains are a great, relatively affordable option to prevent accidents and safety issues due to snow. When installing these chains, you're able to drive faster and prevent skidding in your driveway or on the road.
The market is full of options about great snow chains; the question always remains: What are the best tire chains for snow?
Our team reviewed all the available snow chains in the market and sorted the main pros and cons for each of them to help you make an informed decision about your snow chain of choice.
When you shop for snow chains, it is important to understand your goals and needs before deciding on the final option. For instance, if you're looking for a long-term snow chain, your choice would be different from someone looking for just a short-term Snow chain.