Snow chains on my Jeep Compass 4x4: How to use and best practices?

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.

BHPian pankaj_9730 recently shared this with other enthusiasts:

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

Here's what BHPian dhanushs had to share regarding this matter:

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

Meanwhile, here's BHPian .anshuman reply to the queries:

Quote from BHPian 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.

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