SCC SZ131 Super Z6 Cable Tire Chain for Passenger Cars, Pickups, and SUVs - Set of 2 Silver

There are a confusing array of tire chains/traction control devices on the market, and even this particular company makes so many different models that it's hard to tell which ones are the best. Here's what you need to know about chains and traction control devices, and why I like the ones made by SCC. I also include some installation hints at the bottom of this review.There are two broad types of traction control devices: Tire chains and traction control cables. Tire chains are actual chain links. Traction control cables are long pieces of metal cables, covered in a plastic coating, and designed to form a Z-pattern over your tires. The plastic coating is then surrounded by hundreds of tiny, round, metal springs. Cables are generally regarded as better because they are easier to install, last longer, are less damaging to roads, and work better with vehicles equipped with ABS. Also, according to SCC, you can safely drive with cable devices up to 30 mph, even on roads with no snow, without damaging them.You should normally install traction control cables on your drive wheels, i.e. the wheels that actually push or pull your car forward. If the snow is really bad, though, you may have to install cables on all four wheels. Read your vehicle's owner's manual for more details on where to install your cables.In any case, it's a really, really good idea to have TWO sets of cables in your car at all times. That way, if something breaks (murphy's law), you won't be stuck.Within the traction control cable category, there are two general types of cables: Self-tensioning cables tighten themselves using a tensioner (which looks, feels, and operates like a rubber band) that you install when you put the cables on. Manual tensioning cables are tightened by you, and have to be re-tightened after you drive for a couple hundred feet or so. I've heard that emergency vehicles tend to use the manually adjustable models because they are allegedly safer at speeds above 30 MPH, but driving above 30 MPH for any non-emergency personnel is illegal with any kind of traction control device.There are several advantages to the manually adjustable models. They tend to have more slack, which can make installation easier. Also, the tensioners (i.e. rubber bands) on self-adjusting cables can and do break (it happened to me today) and if they break, you can't use the cables. So, if you get a cable that has a tensioner, get extra tensioners, or better yet, an extra set of cables, just in case.Here's a breakdown of SCC's cable products:Z-Chain- Manually adjustable Traction Control Cable. Easy to install, but must be retightened shortly after you start driving. Very easy to install because they come with lots of slack. Often used by police and fire personnel.Shur Grip Z/Super Z LT- Self adjusting cable. Tensioners can break so buy extras. Less slack, so can be harder to put on the car, but generally easier than Z-chains because you don't have to manually tighten and re-tighten them.Super Z6/Z8- Newest Self adjusting cable, designed for vehicles with very little sidewall clearance. They have all the advantages and disadvantages of the Shur Grip Z. In addition, however, the connectors are a little harder to work with on this model because of their low profile.The Z6 and Z8 models are SCC's latest models. They are designed to handle smaller clearances between the side of the tire and the car than their older models. As a result of that design, they are hand crimped during the manufacturing process (instead of machine crimped), and that results in a slightly higher MSRP. SCC's representative tells me that the cable size and metal springs are the same size as their other cable-based products, and so the only reason to not to get the Z6's over the older models (Super Z's) is that the Z6's are slightly more expensive (usually only a few dollars). I've noticed that the Z6 connectors are a little harder to work with than the Shur Grip/Super Z LT model.On all of these models, the metal rings are made of a spring-like material, SCC says that you don't have to remove the chains as soon as you reach a paved road. Rather, as long as you drive under 30 MPH, SCC says that you can drive with the traction control cables on your car, even as you switch between plowed and non-plowed roads. Because each of the hundreds of little springs are separate pieces, even when one breaks, it just falls off, and the others work to fill-in the void.The Z6/Z8 models also come with a very nice cloth bag that is sized properly to hold the cables. The older cable-based SCC models come with plastic containers that are too small to easily lay the cables in.Installing the cables is relatively easy, and I'm definitely not a hands-on kind of guy. It took me about 15 minutes the very first time, and now that I've done it several times, I can get it done in under a minute per wheel. SCC has a video on their web-site that explains how to do it. You should always do a test-installation of cables before you need them to make sure that you purchased the correct size and know how to install it. It's also very useful to have some waterproof gloves handy and a towel with you, as it is often wet and cold when you need to install chains. A good choice for gloves are the long wristed rubber gloves that you can buy at the grocery store for washing dishes, or some disposal latex gloves. After you use the cables for the first time, fold each cable separately and then use a trash bag tie to keep each one together. Otherwise, the next time you need them, they'll all be tangled together.Here are some hints on how to install these chains.1. Read the instructions from the manufacturer and pay close attention to the safety instructions. The basics of the instructions are (1) stay safe, (2) position the cables correctly, (3) connect the upper rear connector, (4) connect the upper front connector, (5) connect the lower front connector, and (6) connect the black rubber bands.The instructions are quite good, but they leave out a few helpful hints, which I will now share with you.BEFORE YOU START, MAKE SURE YOU HAVE THE CORRECT SIDE UP! There are markings all over the cables which indicate the correct orientation. Look for them!2. Put on some rubber dishwashing gloves and lay a towel down wherever you're going to work, or you will get very, very dirty.3. When you slide the cables under your tires, start from a point between your front and rear tires. Slide half of the chain under your car, and then reach around from the other side of the tire to pull the cable around. Although the instructions describe a swinging slide motion, I've never seen anyone who could do that without twisting the cables up. Just pull them and things will be much easier.4. Once the cables are around the tire, DO NOT pull the bottom connectors that hold the cables together at the bottom of the tire towards one another. Keep them as far apart as possible. If you pull them in tight, you won't be able to pull the chain high enough in the back to connect the rear upper connector, which is what you are supposed to do first.5. When you are connecting the rear upper connector, if you can't get the rear upper connectors up above the tire so that you can see them, push the part of the cables that surround the bottom of your tire backwards and under your car a few inches. This will create slack behind the cables and allow you to pull the cables up in the back.6. Once you have the rear upper connector connected, hooking up the front upper connector may be difficult. Try pushing the rear upper connector back so that it is laying against the inside sidewall of your tire and then pull the front upper connectors towards you as hard as you can. Don't try to pull them towards each other. While sitting, just pull them straight out, towards you, and the rest of the chains should fall into place. Then they should be easy to connect.7. Gently pull the parts of the chain that criss-cross your tires down towards the ground so that they aren't all bunched up at the top. Look at the chain and make sure that the parts you can see, and especially the blue cable, is evenly distributed around the tire.8. Then pull the bottom front connectors towards you (out, but not up or down) to create slack. Then connect them. Again, don't try to pull them towards one another as that makes it almost impossible to create slack.9. On these particular cables, the upper front connector is BLACK and the bottom front connector is SILVER. When you're ready to take the cables off, if you get the wheel lined up so that the BLACK connector is on the top, it will be much easier to find and remove the rear connector (which will be opposite the black connector).

Have used these multiple times on the way to snowy/frozen locations. They are fairly easy to install, occasionally needing to be readjusted while trying to fit around wheel. Very easy to remove.These chains literally saved me from being stranded without help in a Honda Civic (front wheel drive). A major highway was shutdown on our way through a mountain pass --- the detour took us far off through streets that were not plowed well/were frozen. The road continued on and took me on a section of road that had a surface made completely of compacted snow. I was in a line of cars following the same detour... about 3 cars ahead of me a Ford F150 spun out at the crest of a small hill --- I was terrified the same would happen to me, but the chains held.These chains lasted over a 30 mile drive through that detour!! Absolutely great purchase.

Tire chains come in a dizzying variety of types/brands, and it took me a long time to start figuring out all the various options and which would work best for my application. The problem most people have is that traditional chains can't be used on a LOT of modern cars/trucks with very close space tolerances between the tires and adjacent wheel wells/components. These cable-based "chains" solve that problem for many cars/trucks, and provide the added bonus of working better, and being easier to install/remove than traditional chains.The trick, however, is matching your particular vehicle's actual tires/wheels to a particular manufacturer's sizing scheme. I tried pretty hard to find the "right" size for the P265/70R17 tires on my 2001 Suburban ... even going so far as contacting the actual designer/manufacturer of this product to verify sizing. When I received the set and tried 'em on, however, they were obviously too big. Wah-waaaahhhhh. After some further discussions with the manufacturer's customer service (good guys, by the way ... very helpful), and me e-mailing them a few photos showing the fitment on my actual tires (which were still serviceable, but worn to within about 10k remaining on their normal service life), they recommended that I "downsize" to a smaller size (SZ441). That size "fit" but was a bit too tight/hard to install, so I ended up getting new tires, returning the smaller size, and re-ordering the original size (SZ447), which then fit properly.It was this experience that taught me the actual, physical dimensions of auto/truck tires can vary up to 10 to 15%, or even more, from the standard measurements/size they're sold under. The only measurement that IS reliable is the last number shown on the sidewall ... rim diameter ... for obvious reasons. Any failure to properly match this part of the tire to the actual rim it's being mounted on could result in a catastrophic failure; possible injury/death, and thus ... lawsuits. Every other measurement is pretty much, e.g., "law west of the Pecos."With all that said, I really like the design of these things. They're far easier to install and remove than you might think from looking at some of these reviews, but installing them is every bit as dirty a job as everyone says. You have to get low enough to the ground to reach all the way around the bottom of the tire and attach the inner cable, and the tread surface of the tire WILL be slopping all over your forearms. Same with the top (there are two connection points on the inner cable, just one on the outer cable), but the inner/top connector is easier to reach, and thus, not as dirty. While you CAN put these things on without moving your vehicle, I recommend you do yourself a favor and deviate from the manufacturer's instructions a little bit ... spread them out in front of your wheels (making sure you've oriented them so that the "tire side" stamped on one side of the cable retainers ends up ON the "tire side"), connect the inner/bottom cable connector (the one that doesn't have a corresponding connector on the outer side), and then roll the car forward until that section of the cable is dead center/bottom. Then you don't have to reach around the bottom of your tire to attach this connector "blind," and only have to reach over the top of the tire to pull the loose ends of the inner cable upward and connect it at the top. Hook up the outer/top connector, put on your tensioner band/clips, and you're good to go.The "rings" on the cross-members aren't really "rings," but more like a series of short (e.g., half-inch) heavy duty springs threaded onto the underlying cross-member cable (like the necklaces kids make out of pasta). Assuming you've gotten a properly-fitting size for your tires; you've installed and used them as instructed; there are no over-crimping or other assembly defects present in the particular set you receive, and you make a point of keeping the chains clean and properly lubricated between uses, I see no reason these shouldn't last many years.You may end up doing a little "trial and error" finding the right size for your particular car/tires, but once you do, you'll like the end result, and feel a lot more confident about being able to get to your destination safely over snow/ice road conditions.

quality product in a easy to store in package for vehicle emergency in snow or mud

These are very good quality emergency chains. They install easy, but each size chain covers several tire sizes, meaning there is a good chance that they will be either a bit smaller or larger than ideal for your tires. Unlike link style tire chains, you cannot modify these, so you get what you get. I have a set in each of my cars in case we come across conditions that require them. Pretty cheap insurance to have.

Installing isnt too easy when if you dont have a min 3” of clearance between tire and fender.As soon as my tires started to slip, one popped off

After receiving my cables, I practised putting them on when it was still dry out. Very easy to install and remove. When removing, I turned the tires to make it easier to access the back clip on one side, then turned the tires the other way for the other side. Later that week, we got our first snowfall and on one stretch of road I encountered two hills. The first hill I was able to maintain my speed to get up the hill without stopping. On the second hill, cars were stopped for a red light at the top and unable to get traction to go again. There was a truck and trailer stopped halfway up the hill and not moving. A Jeep was spinning his tires and starting to go sideways. It was mayhem! Pro Tip: If your tires are spinning, don't try to go faster!I pulled onto a side street and installed the chains for the second time ever, first time in the snow. They went on just as easily as when it was dry. I drove back to the road, easily climbed the hill and stopped at the top for the red light. When the light turned green, my tires slipped slightly but I went slow, gained traction and got through the intersection without any problem. On the other side, the roads were clear so I pulled into another snow-covered side street to remove the cables. No problem.Great cables! For what it's worth, they come with the rubber tensioner.

The sizing chart on the company's website was accurate because the chains fit my car perfectly. My car has only a small clearance and these Super Z6 chains seem to be the only choice that I had.I'm not giving the product the full 5 stars because the printed instructions for installing the chains are not at all clear. I had to watch the video on the company website a few times before it all made sense. Note that it also takes a bit of strength to stretch the tensioner part of the product.when attaching the clips to it. The installation is a lot harder than it looks on the video, so I recommend practicing installation and removal until it becomes easier.

Fits well on the tire using the chart provided on Amazon to select the right size. Chain appeared very good quality. Never have a chance to test yet on the road so wont be able to comment on the performance. Kit only comes with a very low-cost, thin, transparent plastic glove and nothing else. Would be nice if come with a mini size ice scraper with hook (hard to find a stand-alone one) like the one used on demo video for installing the chain.

I bought these in 2016 and have used them from time to time on icy logging roads and they worked okay - I was reasonably happy with them. I broke one of the clasps last year due to a hasty installation. That was my fault. This year I bought a second pair and kept the original pair for more extreme conditions. I ended up in a snowy situation a few days ago (about 45cm/18" new snow overnight) and needed to put all 4 chains on. The one that I broke was bolted together and held together. I broke another one when the tires spun and had to wire it together. The new chains I bought this year would not stay on the tires as soon as any extra force was needed due to slope or depth of snow- they repeatedly came off due to one of the clips coming undone. I am lucky they did not tear a brake line. These will work for light compact snow and some ice on plowed roads with some snow accumulation. Having used them in deeper snow and ice on a slope they don't meet my needs or expectations for durability and they do not work well in deep snow because they won't stay on. The clasps are the weak link and perhaps the tensioner could be smaller to help keep them tighter?