[pankaj_9730]

Hello All,

I drive a Jeep compass 4x4, I had purchased a pair of snow chains (1 pair) some time back from US. I plan to use them this winter for first time. I need some suggestion of which pair of tires should i put chains on while driving on snow?

From internet i read mixed guidelines:

- Most of people suggest to put chains on Front wheels, because it will help in steering and breaking.

- Some of articles suggested to put one of the chain on front wheel and other on diagonally opposite rear wheel. Logic was that you get some traction on both front and rear one.

Please suggest which installation is best for handling on snow?

Thanks
Pankaj

[dhanushs]

Hi Pankaj,

Please use the snow chains on all four wheels or if only two, on the front wheels. This will give you direction and grip while braking like you've mentioned.

The whole idea of safe driving in snow is to maintain directional stability and with diagnolly placed snow chains you wont be able to achieve that.

You can use the snow chains 'mostly' on any tyres.

Regards,
Dhanush

[.anshuman]

Originally Posted by pankaj_9730

Please suggest which installation is best for handling on snow?

In the case of Jeep Compass or any other similar crossover with part time AWD system, its better to use the chains on front wheels if you only have one pair. Using all 4 chains is best configuration.

In this kind of configuration, the power is mostly transmitted via front wheels, beyond a certain speed of 40kph or so depending the model with the rear wheel stop getting power. Secondly these AWDs are light duty types with dry clutch packs, they get overheated very fast so it better to get primary traction via front wheels.

I don't like the idea of chains on diagonal wheels, with open diffs and traction control the car will struggle at slippery patches.

[NomadSK]

Originally Posted by pankaj_9730

- Most of people suggest to put chains on Front wheels, because it will help in steering and breaking.

- Some of articles suggested to put one of the chain on front wheel and other on diagonally opposite rear wheel. Logic was that you get some traction on both front and rear one.

Please suggest which installation is best for handling on snow?

All 4 is the best configuration.

If you have only 2 set of chains, it depends, what you want, Traction or Steering stability.

Front 2 - If you need direction stability and breaking specially while going downhill. But if the car is FWD, then its best to have chains on front tires whether going uphill or downhill

Rear 2 - If you need traction going uphill. Assuming a RWD car.

Diagonally NEVER, that's completely whack you will go into a spin, It would be a mess, unless you have differential locks.

PS - don't forget to use hazards while operating on snow chains.

[Jeroen]

Originally Posted by NomadSK

PS - don't forget to use hazards while operating on snow chains.

Why would you want to use hazards whilst on snow chains? Is that even legal?

Jeroen

[NomadSK]

Originally Posted by Jeroen

Why would you want to use hazards whilst on snow chains? Is that even legal?

I guess, to let others know about my limitations, that I cannot drive more than certain speed (30/40kmph), even if the conditions allows. I don't know about legality, but if I'm at a considerably low speed on a high speed road, for whatever reasons, I would like to put on the hazards, to give a visual warning to others (may be the guys with studded tyres) beforehand.

[Jeroen]

Originally Posted by NomadSK

I guess, to let others know about my limitations, that I cannot drive more than certain speed (30/40kmph), even if the conditions allows. I don't know about legality, but if I'm at a considerably low speed on a high speed road, for whatever reasons, I would like to put on the hazards, to give a visual warning to others (may be the guys with studded tyres) beforehand.

You should only use chains on a snow covered road. Without snow the chains will be damaged and break very quickly. Driving with chains high speed is total madness! In no time pieces of chain will be shooting from your car like shrapnel.

On a road with snow a vehicle with chains can go faster than vehicles without chains or special snow tires.

So you should not be driving slowly on any road without a good layer of snow!

Putting blinkers on doesn’t make it safer.

Jeroen

[sarathlal]

Originally Posted by pankaj_9730

I drive a Jeep compass 4x4, I had purchased a pair of snow chains (1 pair) some time back from US.

Please suggest which installation is best for handling on snow?

Thanks
Pankaj

The best way to know what need to be done would be to check the instruction manual that comes with the snow chain set.
It will mention critical information like what all road conditions the chain need to be used as well as the speed limits.

Like mentioned by members already, snow chains can be used only on snow covered pavements. Otherwise the car will skid and slide on chain. Ideally road warning signs will indicate where to put snow chains, and when to remove them.

If the instruction set is missing, please stick to 30-40 kmph at the maximum. Slower the better. If you think you can go beyond that speed, most likely you dont need snow chains for traction for that scenario.

Yours being 4X4 and only one set available, the chains need to go on front axle only.

[PG_08]

Hi Pankaj

I have been using a Jeep Meridien for almost 2.5 years.

About 2 years back i tried using a set of snow chains on my front wheels. To my surprise, the front wheel well isn't big enough to accomodate it and the chains may start fowling with the inner plastic lining ultimately causing damage on the move.

The front of mechanical hardware of Meridien and Compass are identical to my assessment so Compass may also be incompliant to metal snow chains.

Pls check and verify before moving forward with the idea.

Thanks

Pankaj

[pankaj_9730]

Originally Posted by PG_08

Pls check and verify before moving forward with the idea.

Hi Pankaj,

I tried the chains, they fit nicely (See attached image). I drove for few meters, didn't notice any issues. Hopefully they will hold good in snow too!

Thanks
Pankaj