Winter..a time for many families to make that venture to the mountains and enjoy a ski trip. It also means many accidents due to stupidity. Whether its putting the chains on properly or just how to drive..Even if it hasn’t snowed for weeks, it’s always smart to bring chains.
Many people make giant fools of themselves and they don’t even realize it. Then they wonder why the bottom of their car or bumper is ****ed up. HERE’S A FEW TIPS!:
FACT 1: ALWAYS have chains in your car if it has snowed or is forecasted to snow within 48 hours of your planned trip
FACT 2: just because you have a big 4×4 truck or your subie doesn’t mean you don’t have to carry chains. CHP will still ask for you to have them in your car and many times after a large snow will require some sort of all season/ snow tire
FACT 3: 4×4 and AWD does not make your car invincible in snow ice/ etc. Take caution
FACT 4: chains do not make your car invincible in snow. Take caution
FACT 5: chains can be expensive so check local classifieds to save some money. I picked up a set for my girlfriends dad’s tacoma for $20 on craigslist
FACT 6: Say today is wednesday, do not ask if you will need chains for Sunday, that is days away. No one could know at this point in time how much of the road were cleared, whether or not it will be raining, or if it indeed snow/not snow on the day in question.
FACT 7: Typically its cold outside when putting on your chains (duh)… work gloves come in handy here
PULL 100% TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHEN PUTTING ON YOUR CHAINS. DON’T WAIT UNTIL IT’S TOO LATE TO PUT THEM ON AND GET STUCK IN A BAD SPOT (cough cough hwy 2 in the middle of the road cough cough)
Better off braking before a turn rather than in the middle of one (specially FWD with cables\chains) easy way to oversteer. (spin out)
30 mph with cables\chains is max recommended speed, not minimum.
repetitive metallic clunking….yea your poos loose, might want to snug them up before you damage something.
Check clearance between strut and tire (cables\chains can hit them and break, not to mention the fact your brake lines typically run on that)
Check chains\cables to make sure they arent fraying or about to break.
Test fit them on before you leave, make sure you are competent in putting them on. The longer it takes, the colder your fingers are gonna get and the harder it is to get them tight. Fingers can stick to the cables if they get cold enough and your fingers are wet.
If your car is lowered, consider using a jack (if possible with a flat even surface) to lift up enough to get some room between fender and tire, or pull forward more to allow you to attach cables in front or behind.
FWD vehicle, cables go on front, RWD, cables go on rear. 4×4\awd your manual will\should tell you which tires to put them on, different vehicles recommend putting them on different tires…
