How to Correct Tire Chains for an SUV

The hardest part about tire chains is getting them onto your sports utility vehicle. Once they are on, troubleshooting slack and looseness is a relatively minor correction that takes seconds. Ideally, this is something you should directly after installing the chains. During a "test drive" they will settle into place and you will need to correct their connections. Also, while driving on snow, it is always a good idea to walk around your SUV before climbing into the driver's seat. This way, you can ensure that the chains remain in place and do not compromise your safety

Diamond Chains with an Inner Side Cable

• 1

  Detach the tensioning hook for the side chain. If you have diamond style tires, it helps if they are color coded, in terms of quickly telling which chain is which.

• 2

  Pull all loose chain through all the eyelets and ensure that this removes all slack from the tensioning chain.

• 3

  Reattach the tensioning hook to a longer, farther point across the diameter of the SUV's wheel. This should keep the tensioning chain taut.

• 4

  Repeat this process on the other chained tire(s).

Cable Chains

• 1

  Open the lever lock on the outer side wall cable.

• 2

  Remove any developed slack and pull the inner and outer sidewall cable taut.

• 3

  Close the lever lock and thereby secure the cable chains.

• 4

  Repeat this on the remaining tire(s).