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When snow comes down and you just want to get moving, these chains take care of the work for you. The built-in self-tensioning system tightens automatically as you drive, keeping the chains centered and snug without extra stops. When you park, the tensioners release on their own, so removal is just as quick. No crawling on the ground or wrestling with frozen links—just stretch them over the tires, drive off, and let the Snox system handle the rest.
The diamond layout and 3.2 mm square links deliver solid traction while maintaining a smoother, quieter ride than typical ladder-style chains. The smaller link size helps reduce bumping and vibration, giving you steady control through packed snow or light ice instead of the jerky feel that comes with rougher link shapes. It’s a great balance of comfort and performance for regular winter driving.
Built from nickel manganese alloy steel, these chains are made to stand up to corrosion and wear season after season. The tough alloy resists rust and surface damage from road salt or slush, so you can count on them staying strong even after repeated use. It’s a dependable setup that saves you from replacing chains every year.
The anti-scratch bumpers keep your rims free from scuffs while the chains are on, helping your wheels look good after winter passes. Meeting SAE Class S standards, they’re designed for vehicles with limited clearance, so there’s no unwanted contact in tight wheel wells. Compact and easy to store when not in use, they’re ready whenever winter weather rolls back in.
These chains fit the following tire sizes:
Videos are provided as a guide only. Refer to manufacturer installation instructions and specs for complete information.
Adam: What's going on everybody. Adam here with etrailer. Today, we're going to be taking a look at the Pewag Snox Self-Tensioning Snow Tire Chain. What we have here is a relatively unique tire chain. They are going to be made of the same materials as most. Just a manganese nickel alloy steel construction.
We are going to have a diamond pattern. We have cross chains connecting those, so it's going to be great on the front wheels here to give us really good turning and traction. Of course, it's going to increase the traction, but this is probably going to be the bigger link that you can probably have with this wheel well clearance. It is SAE S Class certified, so you don't have to worry about that, but these are going to be one of the more aggressive chains we can put on this tire. If you're looking for ease of use, and also getting just the best amount of traction for the amount of space that you have to work with these are definitely going to be one of the best bets.If you're a big wheel guy like me, I want to make sure that my wheels are not going to get scratched or scuffed.
I try to avoid all curves, but whenever we're putting on chains sometimes it could scratch it just like if we did hit a curb. With this all of the components around our wheels is going to be either plastic or coated in a specific coating that's not going to scratch your wheel. If you have aluminum wheels, if you just have your OEM wheels like this that you want to keep nice and pretty it is going to be able to allow that. Some of the other chains don't, and these do, and that is definitely a plus. Another plus I like about these chains is we don't have to grab a rubber tensioner separately.
We have a little tensioner here, which is going to keep everything nice and tight.These chains do come in a pack of two, so if you plan on just putting them on the front tires you can just grab one, but if you play it on putting them on four, you can just grab two sets of these. They come in a nice little carrying case. I like this one better than any of the other ones that I've had, because it's small, it's got good zippers, it is easy to carry, and it's got nice little pouches to get everything all stored away. This is a great bag. And I like the bag.
Even if during the summer months, and you're not using them, I'd probably use this for something else, because this is a nice bag.But what's also nice is how quickly we can get these off. What we've got to do is press this little tab here. It's going to release that like that. Literally all you got to do is just give her a good tug. Once we get one little section going it's going to be easy to get it all undone, because it all just kind of follows suit. But other times it really wants to stay on there, which isn't a bad thing. You don't want the chain to fall off whenever we're riding down the road. Just work your way around. There we go. Then now, all you got to do is just roll off of them, put them back in the case, and we are ready to go for next time. Well, everyone that just about does it for our look at the Pewag Snox Pro Self-Tensioning Snow Tire Chain.
Ratings & Reviews
Outstanding product! Very well-designed tire chain, quality components, easy to install, and terrific grip.
I researched this purchase from some time and paid a little more for this quality product. We live in an area with very steep hills and quite a bit of snow and ice that goes unmanaged by the city. I figured these chains would be easy to install (I didn't look a the instructions before I took them out to put them on and had them on in 11 minutes), last a long time, not cause damage to my Lexus SUV, and provide excellent traction. They meet all my expectations.
Product boasts being perfectly easy to pop on and roll away but the bungie is rather stiff and somewhat difficult to pull to the back of your tires. Once you DO get the red cable to the back, you need to perfectly align the chains to the top surface (treads) of your tire; otherwise, the bungie will pull and tear, ultimately breaking the chains inside of them.
That said, I do still recommend this product - when properly installed, they are very sturdy and get me out of my steep driveway like a champ. I also highly recommend etrailer (their customer service is awesome and they are very understanding when it comes to product flaws or user errors).
If you have the 2024 Honda CRV 2WD buy these bad boys (I have the sport-l 18" rim version). These reinforced my decision and confidence to buy 2WD vs AWD. I live in a mild climate area and used these on my last trip to Big Bear, CA. I had to sign a waiver at the dealership to only use cables, but because these are S rated they hug your tires just the same. I saw plenty of cheap broken cables on my way up the mountain and glad I spent the money on these instead. I was able to drive without issue in a snow storm on un-plowed roads. No real slippage was experienced. These were easy to drive with on, quiet in snow, and tolerable on dry road. I kept my speed to 30MPH or below. Some suggestions:
- Do practice putting the chains on each wheel and taking them off before your trip.
- Have gloves handy, preferably snow rated as they will get wet. I would even get a plastic mat for your knees.
- Take a screenshot recording of etrailor's video of putting the chains on in case you need a refresher and don't have service.
- You may struggle getting the plastic components to uniformly fit on the sidewall of the tire. Some of mine were closer to the tread. I re-adjusted the cable a few times but was pleasantly surprised after a bit of driving that the autotensioner was able to pull them up into a better position.
- Take a picture of the chains when you initially put them on so you can park your car with them in the same position. This will allow you to get to the back of the chain to disconnect it when there is snow/ice piled on your wheel well (see my pic). I didn't do this and found it difficult to remove the chain efficiently.
- You may still need to roll over the chain to get it off your tire so just make sure all of the plastic components and metal connectors are out of the way of your tire.
- Be cautious when connecting or disconnecting the back clip. My advice is to hold onto the chain to avoid it falling on your wheel components and potentially getting snagged.
- After one trip I can already see some rust on parts of the chain. They did use salt on the roads so just make sure you rinse the chains off when you get back and let them fully dry before long term storage.
I bought, hoping never to use. But, if in a pinch, I wanted something that was simple to install and self tightening. I installed once just for practice, and to insure it was the proper fit. The Town & Country does not have a lot of front wheel well clearance, and this choice fits well.
Didn’t fit the winter tires of my Subaru Forester 2018.
But since I but the chains in autumn it was too late to return them anymore.
Customer service was also useless. Asked tu about adequate sizing and they said I should call Pewag.
Actual chains are great quality and easy system.
The 2nd time I used the chains, the tensioner on one chain would not release, so I could not flip the chains off, and I had to pay a roadside chain removal guy to cut them off. The 90-day warranty seems unreasonable for the price of these chains. I'm not going to buy Pewag chains to replace them.
The self tensioning feature was what made these chains attractive. After watching the installation video and practicing the installation in dry conditions a few times, I was able to easily install these chains on my Subaru in a ski resort parking lot in South Lake Tahoe, CA in the midst of a snow storm with 8 inches of snow already on the ground. Just needed to clear some of the snow away from around each front tire. Gave me lots of traction to get up and down the mountain roads.
Purchased these chains for a trip to the snow and for future use after buying a new vehicle. The chains were received promptly in a well designed carrying case, with a mat, gloves, and instructions for mounting the chains. I haven't had to use them = a Subaru Forester is a great AWD vehicle and handled some pretty dicey conditions with no issue - but carry them and feel confident I can mount and dismount them quickly. Instructions are clear and simple to follow.
I just received the tire chains and the tag on the container that spells out the tire sizes they fit doesn't include the tire size I ordered. Its 225/75R 16. What now? We are leaving on a trip shortly and I needed those chains. Please call me asap. Thanks!!
I have never been more pleased with a purchase decision than I am with these snow chains. They fit my car perfectly and were easier to install than I expected. If you have ever used on-ground cable chains, you know there are three connections that must be made, plus any adjustments to the tension device. With these chains, the connections are easy and the self-tightening tension device is impressive. At first I was not interested in this feature, but after using it I can appreciate how it will keep the chains tight and secure. I was also impressed by the design of the carrying case. I expected it would be difficult to replace the chains in the case once removed. Wrong. They easily fit back into the handy plastic case. Further, the chains came with plastic gloves to slip over your your hands (even with winter gloves) to keep your hands and lower arms clean. It's a bit odd to be so excited about a product that I hope NOT to use. But I drive to ski resorts all over the West and encounter chain restrictions often. Although I have all-wheel drive, I don't have snow tires and recent chain restrictions in Mammoth, CA require chains or 4-WD with snow tires on all wheels. Now, I'm actually looking forward to using the chains. I'm so pleased, I may purchase a second set for my wife's car. Finally, etrailer.com was great too work with. Their rep ( thanks Donna!) helped me find the right size chains for my wheels. Thanks so much!
These are for a 2005 Ford Thunderbird and are fantastic! Having had four and all-wheel drive cars for years, these make snow and ice conditions of small issue only needing good driving skills.The ease of installation is perhaps most remarkable taking under ten minutes and drive immediately without any further adjustment. Fit is superb with no impingement in what are very low clearance wheel wells.
These chains are so easy to use and got me out of a few sticky situations last winter - we had an unusually high amount of unforecasted snowfall, and these chains were perfect. I gave this vehicle and the chains to my stepdaughter. Unfortunately, these chains didn't come in my new SUV's size. If they did, I would have bought these again. I did, however, buy my new self-tensioning chains in a similar pattern from the etrailer. I haven't used them yet but great service from etrailer.
I got to test them out for the first time after 4 inches of snow going up a long, steep gravel road full of switchbacks and ice patches in Blue Ridge Mountains. They performed wonderfully and were pretty easy to put on. My only concern are the blue plastic parts that could be a weak point.
We used these chains going up to Truckee and they were the easiest chains we’ve ever installed. Highly recommended!
While installing the chains for the first time, the tensioner on one of the chains broke. Thankful it happened before I was in a snow storm on a mountain. etrailer was great to work with. Issued my return and refund.
It was my first time buying tire chains, and I'm glad I got them when I did. Practicing three times was enough to learn to put them on and off quickly. I drove through two blizzards with the chains. I also risked going through snow without them and got stuck, so I had to shovel my way out and try to put the chains on, which was not easy. Eventually, when I got them on, I quickly got out of the parking lot I got myself stuck in. I recommend getting them if you're expecting heavy snow because you can feel the traction, and your confidence level when on the snow is very high.
These chains are amazing to say the least. 2012 GMC Terrain never needed to put chains on it, but we decided to take it on a snow trip. I have used chains in the past on other vehicles and all have been so hard to put on, on so many different levels. It made me hate to have to use them. Now the Pewag Snox Pro are the best chains I have ever used. WOW!!! They were on in less than 5-10 minutes and then taking them off was even easier. One snap of the lock, a few rough tugs, and pulled forward. Shook them of and packed them back up in the awesome case. Smooth ride considering I had chains on and great traction on snow and ice! I did not know I could love chains so much!
Am an elder, live in So Cal mountains. Easy for me, at 74yrs, to install on my 2020 Subaru Forester. Thank you for good product, understandable video and great customer service.
Easy to put on! I have a 2023 Toyota Sienna with original tires 235/60R18 and the pewag RS80 fit perfectly. The pictograph instructions were easy to follow and the chains were quick to get on during my test fit. The instructions being in plastic could be helpful if they get wet and I really like the self tensioning aspect of these chains.
A few notes from the Toyota Sienna manual
1. "Vehicles with 17-inch or 18- inch tires Use SAE Class “S” type radial tire chains....Vehicles with 20-inch tires Tire chains cannot be mounted. Snow tires should be used instead."
-These Pewag tire chains are "s" type and the low clearance fit my 18" wheels easily.
2. "The tire pressure warning valves and transmitters may not function correctly when tire chains are fitted."
-If your vehicle cant read your tire pressure and you have chains on...no big deal.
I really liked the ease with which these chains went on and I'm looking forward to seeing how they perform in the snow.
Fit snugly. Will be a little difficult in the snow but with a pair of gloves on it is doable. The red plastic rim protectors would protect rim from metal on metal contact. However, with my M-sport rims and Pirelli Cinturato P7 tires, the red plastic doesn't even come into contact with the rim due to the extended lip of the tire...but this does mean that the chain touches the outside surface of the tire--see pics. A little off putting scarring the sticky looking surface of the tire...but it is inevitable.
On the inside of the wheel/tire, my concern was contact with the knuckle, strut, end link, stabilizer, etc. It does get close to the stabilizer end link, but doesn't touch...my pictures are shown before self centering while driving...so the spacing to end link would only get greater as I installed in worst case scenario to compare.
I drive a 1996 Corvette and have for the past 20 years - year round. And that makes driving near impossible in Connecticut winters and hilly terrains. Until I got my Pewag chains. When the snow accumulates, on go my Pewags and away I go. Snow covered roads, no problem, up and down hills, no problem. I can put my Pewags on both tires in less than ten minutes and I am good to go. Great product! I highly recommend Pewag chains.
I have yet to actually use them but the installation isn't too tricky or complex. Just make sure to follow the instructions on a dry run or two before you think you'll need them ;-)
These are not easy to install with the wheel on the ground on a VW Jetta. I jacked up the car so there was plenty of room to work, and I could spin the tire to make the needed adjustments. Still not easy, but not bad. They work well, or at least as well as I need them to.
My Mazda 3's tires are right at the top of the size range, 215/45/R18, and the tire chains fit! It was a bit hard to get them on, though. After fitting the chains loosely, we were struggling to lock the final hooks.
To lock the hooks, we ended up using one of the spare chains that came in the packaging to bridge that final 1-2 inches. Then, we drove a couple inches forward (until the we could hear the self tensioner click a couple times), and that gave us enough slack to connect the hooks without the spare chain.
I do not recommend using the spare chain to actually drive, unless they're professionally welded/attached, but they were super helpful for fitting the chains properly.
Image shows the chains mounted and the hooks properly attached, but with the auto-tensioner off.
I am not very handy and have no intention of installing my chains on the side of the interstate myself if I can help it. I chose these because they are self-tensioning and can be put on without laying on the ground to install them. I tested installing them twice at home, so I am ready in case of emergency when I visit the seirra's this winter.
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