MileCheckHow to put on tire chains
Do this once in the driveway before you ever need it on a pass. The steps are the same whether it's your first set or your fifth.
Before you start
Pull over somewhere flat and out of the traffic lane — a pullout, the shoulder well clear of the road, or before you reach the chain-control checkpoint. Not on the pass itself, and not on a curve or a hill. Put your hazards on and set the parking brake.
Putting them on
The exact fasteners vary by brand, but the sequence is the same for cable and link chains alike.
- Lay the chain out flat behind the drive tire, matching the inside/outside pattern shown in the instructions that came with the set.
- Drape the chain over the top of the tire so it hangs down on both sides.
- Connect the inner fastener first — the one that ends up facing the car, hardest to reach once you're driving.
- Pull the chain snug over the rest of the tire, then connect the outer fastener.
- Tighten any tensioners or bungee cords until the chain sits close to the tread with no large slack loops.
- Drive forward a few feet and check that the chain is centered and not rubbing the wheel well or brake line.
Stop and re-tighten after the first mile
Cable and link chains both settle once they start moving — the first mile is when a chain that felt snug in the driveway loosens up. Pull over again, well clear of traffic, and re-tighten. Skipping this step is the most common reason a chain comes loose and slaps the fender or the wheel well.
Taking them off
Reverse the process: release the outer fastener, drive forward a few feet so the chain drops slack, then release the inner fastener and pull the chain clear. Take chains off as soon as you're past the restricted zone — running them on bare, dry pavement for any distance wears out the chain fast and can damage the road surface.
A few things that trip people up
Chains go on the drive tires — front tires for front-wheel drive, rear for rear-wheel drive. For all-wheel drive, check the owner's manual; some AWD systems specify the front tires only, and a few don't permit chains at all. Most manufacturers cap chain speed at 25 to 30 mph — check the instructions for your specific set, since the limit varies by product. See what "chains required" means for how the restriction levels themselves work, and tire chain picks by fit and budget if you don't have a set yet.
Know exactly where you are — live
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Questions, answered
Which tires do chains go on — front or back?
Chains go on the drive tires: front tires for front-wheel drive, rear tires for rear-wheel drive. For all-wheel drive, check the owner's manual — most manufacturers specify the front tires, and some don't allow chains at all on certain AWD systems.
How fast can you drive with chains on?
Most chain manufacturers cap it at 25 to 30 mph. Check the instructions that came with your specific chains — the limit varies by product.
Do you need to stop and re-tighten chains after putting them on?
Yes. Cable and link chains both settle once they start moving. Stop after a half mile to a mile and re-tighten — a loose chain can slap the wheel well or come off.
Can I leave chains on once I'm off the mountain?
No — take them off once you're clearly past the restricted zone. Chains wear quickly on bare, dry pavement and can damage both the chains and the road surface.