Thule XS-16 snow chains (pair) no. XS-16 210

Important safety information: These chains will fit around these tyres but you must not purchase them unless you have checked your vehicle handbook and found out that you are allowed to fit chains to this tyre size. This information may also be provided on our "What fits my vehicle?" databases, but please note that these are only offered as a guide - they are invariably out of date, with new vehicles and new tyre sizes arriving in the UK most months. A bigger problem for us is that changes in manufacturer databases are sometimes not reported to us until much later. There is therefore no substitute for checking the handbook!

Click on the warning triangle for more information about this very important issue:

Fitting notes:

These chains are quick and easy to fit. Have a look at the video. Points to note:

• When you have pushed the chain around behind the wheel you hold both ends and lift both ends upwards. You want the hoop of chain to rise up under the car axle so that you can clip the two ends together near the top of the wheel. All modern snow chains are fitted in this way.
• The automatic chain tensioning system is a strong bungy device which pulls one-way bead grippers through an easy load steel ratchet. It's a simple and very clever system, allowing for fine adjustment, with no danger of slippage. Chain tensioning is necessary because the chains will generally "shake down" on the wheels once you move off, involving some self centering and movement of the chain on the face of the tyres. Without an automatic system you need to get out of the vehicle after a short distance and take up any new slack yourself.
• Practise fitting your chains a few times before you have to do it for real!
• You need both hands to fit snowchains, so if it is dark a head torch makes all the difference - see below.

Removal notes:

This is where the XS-16s really score. Instead of having to park the vehicle so that the inner ring joint is uppermost (the outer chain ring coupling shows you where this is), then loosen the outer chain, then put both forearms over the wheel, grasp the steel cable inner ring and push it together to uncouple the two ends - which is usually a dirty process unless you are driving on clean snow - you just put the toggle on the XS-16 quick release and give it a firm tug. As if by magic, the chain falls off the wheel.

Additional notes:

• All Thule chains are made from case-hardened manganese nickel (MnNi) alloy steel to provide an optimum combination of strength and hardness.
• The XS-16s have cross grip "ice breaker" links which should provide better side-to-side stability / traction as well as generally crunching more firmly into hard compacted snow.
• Chains will wear out if driven on tarmac or concrete. Thule's XS-16 chains can be reversed and fitted 'inside out' on the tyre so that both sides get equal wear, helping them to last longer.
• Each XS-16 chain link is 16mm high, D-shaped to make it bite well into snow and ice.
• Plastic alloy rim protectors are supplied for optional use - they'll help to prevent the steel chains from vibrating against any softer aluminium alloys and scratching them. You'll see that the whole design of the chain mesh is quite low profile, so that on normal tyres the outer chain ring is unlikely to be near the alloys in any event.
• XS-16 chains are supplied in a strong plastic case, together with a pair of plastic gloves, a kneeling mat, and a couple of emergency spare links (pliers are required).
• All Thule snow chains meet the requirements of Austria's Ö-Norm 5117 and Germany's TÜV.

We're also showing you a range of other winter motoring products which we're selling here at market leading prices, including a snow and ice windscreen protector, a telescopic snow shovel, and a snow brush - all of these items are almost essential kit for winter weather, especially we suggest the snow brush. Please click on the links to see pictures and more information.