Help me understand tire chain clearances
November 25, 2019 11:31 AM   Subscribe

I'm looking to buy tire chains for my car. I know the tire size and specs, and I know I need class S chains, but my owner's manual says only SOME class S chains are ok.

Specifically, it says:

"Use a tire chain that is designed to provide the specified space between the installed tire chain and where the tire meets the rim" and then gives a chart on how much that clearance should be depending on the tire size. It has a picture of the area it is describing, facing the wheel from the side. If you think of it like concentric circles, the edge of the tire is the outermost circle (A), then the next one in would be the innermost edge of the tire chain (B), and the next one in would be where the rim meets the wheel (C), and it is asking me to measure between the innermost two circles (the distance between B and C)

My question is, how do I find that out? Do I have to actually install the chains and measure? All of the clearance definitions out there are for sidewall and treadface clearance, neither of which seem to be what I'm looking for.

(If it helps, this is for a 2009 Nissan Altima with 16 in. wheels, and the relevant part of the owner's manual is on page 8-42 of this link
posted by sillysally to Travel & Transportation (1 answer total)
 
Many manufacturers make low-profile chains or cable chains that allow for much tighter clearances. If you are in the western US and have a Les Schwab tire center nearby, they will show you how to install the chains on your car, and will allow you to return them for a refund at the end of the winter season, if unused beyond that initial demo. Maybe not all locations, but every one I've visited. I even bought chains in Idaho and returned them in Washington. At least that way, you'd know for sure that they fit your car.

Perhaps other local tire centers would offer a similar service.
posted by xedrik at 6:55 AM on November 26, 2019


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