UTV/ATV Tire Chain Maintenance

UTV, ATV Tire Chain Maintenance

Regular UTV/ATV tire chain maintenance will keep your UTV Tire Chains in working conditions for many winters to come.


1. Keep It Snug

Loose tire chains can decrease chain life by up to 50% or greater! Keep the chains snug by tightening them as much as possible by hand. Then drive about a quarter-mile, stop, and re-tighten the tire chains as needed. Keep the chains straight across the tire tread.

keep yuor tire chains snug

2. Don’t Deflate

Follow the manufacturer’s directions for installing the ATV tire chains. Do not deflate the tires to install the tire chains. Your tires should be at the normal level of inflation while installing and using ATV chains.


3. Cut the Slack

Secure extra chain links with a wire tie. You can cut off extra links if you want to, but keeping the extra links means that you have extra length if you need it in the future (for a different ATV or new tires, etc.).

cut extra chain links

4. Inspect Often

Inspect your ATV chains before and after each use. Keep an eye out for worn or broken links. Do not use the tire chains if you see any signs of damage. If the chains break while driving, stop immediately and repair the chains or remove them before continuing to drive. Driving with broken chains can damage the tires and vehicle. Avoid hitting curbs when the tire chains are installed on your ATV, as this could damage the chains or tires.

inspect yuor tire chains snug

5. Stop the Rust

After each use, spray the chains with WD-40 to keep them from rusting. Hang the chains up on the wall for storage to keep them from getting tangled and save you the headache of sorting through a jumbled mess when you need them again.

About the author

Matthew Brodie

Hi there! This blog was created to share my off-roading, gear-related knowledge with those interested in the field. I’ve worked as mechanic for years and have been a devoted off-roader for as long. Now, I’ve decided to combine the two and share my experience with passionate audience. I do not claim to know it all – but when something new hits the surface, I will be on it to research its ups and downs. Call me an off-roading nerd if you like, and as long as you can find something useful in here – you are heartedly welcome!

Add Comment

Click here to post a comment

error: Content is protected !!