What's the thing I can attach to my tires, some kind of chain so I can drive through heavy snow or icy roads?

Question

I heard you can only do 40 mph with this thing on. I have a Toyota Celica. It's a small, sporty car. It does not handle snow or ice very well and I live in Maryland. I can't image this car will survive being driven in Chicago snowstorms or icestorms since I am moving there. How much do these usually cost?

Answer 1

Those would be called "snow chains".

Answer 2

Tire chains allow you to drive through snow without slipping, but it is not wise to drive over 30-40 miles per hour as faster speeds may wreck your tires and/or car.

They install fairly easily by draping them over the tire and then attaching a fastner to hold them together on the tire.

You can buy them at tire stores or places that sell tires for about $50. The price may vary depending on your tire size.

Answer 3

Snow chains, or tire chains, are devices which are affixed to the tires of vehicles to provide superior traction when driving through snow and ice.

Snow chains are usually attached to the drive wheels of a vehicle (e.g. the front wheels on a front-wheel drive car), though all four wheels should be chained to provide extra stability.

Some owner's manuals for four-wheel drive cars specify that two specific wheels can be chained, leaving the other two unchained if necessary.

Snow chains are sold as paired sets of two. You should buy chains that match your tire size (tire width and radius numbers can be found printed on the tire).

Common Chain Failures

Driving too fast with chains. Maximum speed 20 to 30 mph (See your chain's owner's manual)

Driving on dry roads with chains for extended periods of time.

Not securing the chains tightly enough. You should tighten the chains a second time after driving for a little bit. Chains that come loose should be refastened or removed before they wrap around your vehicle's drive axle (which can cause expensive damage).

Tensioners or adjusters may be required. (Some tire chains do not require tensioners and may be damaged if tensioners are used, see your chain's owner's manual.)

A set of snow chains can be purchased for $50-$100, depending on the size of the tires they are for and the material they are made of.

Answer 4

They are called tire chains. Yes, they cost about 50 bucks. They are pretty easy to put on. They come with instructions when you purchase them. You can ask the personnel at the store to show you how too. You definitely don't want to drive in the snow or ice too fast lest you wreck your tires, rims and fenders. I'm sure you don't want to do that. The State of Illinois actually allow tire chains in heavy snow and icy conditions. They usually suggest that during weather forecasts at times. Not a lot of people use it though since the state of Illinois usually is pretty good in icing the main thoroughfare. By the way, you can buy them at tires stores.

Answer 5

You can go to any tire shop that specializes in tire replacement and ask for tire studs. The process by which they do this is to insert small steel/lead spikes that are inserted into the rbber and stick out. Generally it is done by hand on prefabricated tires ( the tires have prefabbed hole inserts). The other options are tire chains or tire cables. The cables do not have any links like chains, but are just to give your tire more grip than the rubber. Hope this helps.

Answer 6

tire chains, plan about around $50 a pair...  with the name I just gave you, a search will reveal the price.

Answer 7

snow chains. illegal in nyc and many other places. i dont know about maryland or chicago.