Q: What type of tire chains should be used and what precautions should be followed?

If you live in an area where winter snow and ice can be a problem, you’ll need to be prepared. One of the best precautions to take is to carry a set of tire chains in your car, particularly if you’re not installing studded snow tires (either from personal preference or because they’re not legal in your area). Here are a few tips to follow regarding tire chains:

• Ford recommends using SAE Class S cables for the front wheels on your car. Chains may cause damage to the vehicle, so opt for cables.

• Don’t install cables or chains on the rear tires.

• If your car uses P225/50R17 or P225/45R18 tires, don’t use tire chains or cables.

• Don’t drive over 30 MPH with cables/chains installed.

• Uninstall cables/chains as soon as they are not needed.

• Make sure that the cables/chains don’t contact any part of the Braking or Suspension systems.