KENNEWICK, Wash. -- With heavy snow expected in the mountain passes this weekend, drivers need to know the proper way to put on tire chains.
It's the time of year not only where you have to get the jackets and the coats out, but your chains as well. So what are some common mistakes people make when putting their chains on their vehicles?
"They have to determine if it's front wheel or rear, or all wheel drive. Typically putting them on the wrong wheel, if it doesn't have power to it, the chains aren't going to help at all," advised Ben Gatewood of Meyers Auto Tech.
Is there any way other than looking at your owners manual, to know whether or not your car is front, rear or all wheel drive?
"Yes! You look underneath the vehicle and if you have an axle shaft, which we call it, connecting to the back of the wheel are than that would be a drive wheel and you can put your chains on that wheel," Gatewood said.
Are there some alternatives other than using the traditional chains, what are some of those alternatives?
"You can use the chairs, or the cable type which connects cable instead of chains that are a little easier on your tire treads," said Gatewood.
What about for vehicles that aren't a 4-door Sedan of an SUV. What are some of the common mistakes pickup truck owners tend to make when going over the mountain passes?
"If you don't have a lot of weight on the back of the vehicle because there's no cab back there, just a bed, it's a little but lighter. You can put some sand bags or something in it that'll give you some extra weight and traction," said Gatewood.
So it's not only important this time of year to know the conditions of your chains, your cables, or your tire socks, but your vehicle as well.
