• Studded tires and tire chains cause at least $10 million in damage annually.tire and chain image by Michel Essiambre from Fotolia.com
  
  Tire chains can make a difference in arriving at your destination safely, especially when used on glare ice. Properly-sized chains for your tires is essential. They are sold in sets. Before purchasing a set, consult your vehicle's manual to verify which chains may be used. According to the Ohio Committee for Severe Weather Awareness, some local governments prohibit the use of tire chains. Check with local authorities before leaving home.
  
  

Installation

• Tightly install tire chains for maximum performance and to extend the chain life. Apply them on fully-inflated tires only.
  
  At a minimum install chains on the front two tires on front-wheel drive vehicles. On rear-wheel drive vehicles, install them on the two rear tires. Refer to the operator's manual before installing traction devices on all-wheel or four-wheel drive vehicles if you want to install chains on one set of tires only. Installation on all four tires provides the best handling and performance.
  
  Drive the vehicle about a quarter of a mile after installation and re-tighten the chains.
  
  If you need to install or uninstall tire chains while traveling, pull completely off the road and ensure you are well out of traffic.
  
  Stop immediately if a tire chain fails. Either repair or remove the tire chain problem. Avoid driving on a broken chain.
  
  

Safety

• When tire chains are installed on front tires, the vehicle's rear can swing during braking or driving. Steering is limited on rear-tire installations.
  
  Maintain speeds of 30 mph or less.
  
  Decelerate and accelerate slowly and avoid spinning or locking the wheels. The distance required to brake is up to nine times more when snow and ice covers the roadway. Firmly depress an anti-lock braking system (ABS) pedal instead of pumping the brakes. The reverse is true with non-ABS brakes. Take corrective-steering action gradually.
  
  Bridge temperatures are five to six degrees colder than surface roads and will freeze quicker.
  
  

Chain Laws

• Use of studded tires or tire chains in Ohio is permitted between Nov. 1 and April 15 or times of extreme weather conditions. Extreme weather refers to the presence of snow and/or ice on the roadway.
  
  Regular weather updates are available on the weather hot line: (888) 2OH-ROAD.
  
  A violation of Ohio's chain laws is a misdemeanor.
  
  Law enforcement offers can bar or require chains on recreational vehicles, trailers and semi tractor-trailers when hazardous road conditions exist.
  
  

Downside

• Roadway surfaces wear at a considerable rate due to studded tires and tire chains. The tires and chains cause at least $10 million in damage annually.
  
  According to a Washington State Department of Transportation study, "Water collects in pavement ruts caused by studded tires and creates dangerous driving conditions like hydroplaning."