Vehicle preparation
AutoSock vs tire chains
Textile traction devices can be easier to fit, but acceptance and suitability vary by jurisdiction, vehicle and posted control.
What to know
- Check the vehicle manual first; some wheel wells cannot safely accept conventional link chains.
- Confirm that the exact alternative device is approved where you plan to drive.
- Match any device to the full tire-size marking, not just wheel diameter.
- Practice installation in dry conditions and obey the device maker's speed and pavement limits.
Fitment safety
Follow the vehicle manual and the traction-device maker's exact fitment table. Install only on the axle positions they permit, stop if anything rubs, and respect the device's maximum speed.
Laws, agency guidance and device approvals can change. Verify before each trip. Roadside signs and law-enforcement direction control.