For better tire grip on ice, it is good to install tire chains during the winter, especially if you live in a region where ice is more of an issue than snow. This guide is for new drivers who have little to none experience on how to do this.

The first thing to know is that tires should be installed on the driving wheels – the once powered by your engine. For the four wheel drive this is not an issue. Tires there are most of the time unnecessary, but still sometimes it might be a good idea.

If you find yourself on the road in the mountains, you may need to put on the chains in the open. This is relatively easy, as the cleaners West Dulwich say. Make sure you are not doing this in the middle of the road. Just pull aside somewhere. You will have to go under the car and get dirty at one point. Turn off the engine and put the car on a handbrake for extra precaution – you don’t want it to start rolling over you.

Make sure there are no twists in the chains and lay them flat, parallel side by side. Drape the chains over the back tires, while keeping the “J hook” fastener on the inside. The other side of the chains has a lever fastener with a “keeper” link. Ensure that the smooth side of the cross member end hooks is lying against the tires. You’ll know what I mean when you see the chains.

Go behind each tire and fasten the speed hooks by inserting the “J hooks” through the third link from the other end of the chain. Now, get into the driver’s seat and pull your car forward a little bit to pull the rest of the slack toward you. Insert the level fasteners through the third links from the opposite ends of the outside chains and pivot the levers back on themselves, then fasten them under the keeper links.

Drive forward again and pull back all the slack out of the chains. Then refasten them as tightly as possible. Cleaners West Dulwich, tipped to secure the extra links with zip ties, or remove them with bolt cutters. Add some rubber tightenings to lengthen the “life” of the chains.

That’s it.