pewag Servo RS Tire Chains - Diamond Pattern - Square Links - Self Tensioning - 1 Pair

by: Jack 11/15/2023

2005 Ford Thunderbird

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.1693085

by: David 09/18/2023

Chevrolet Tahoe

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.1669460

I was deciding between these and the Konig XG-12. Since it's likely these will be rarely if ever used, cost factor moved up the scale, so I went with the $100 cheaper Pewag Servos.

I just gave them a trial installation and the operation was pretty straight forward and easy. The only hitch was first figuring out how to disconnect the main cable connector. There is a double arrow sticker on there indicating you pull apart, but the amount of force necessary to unsnap the connection doesn't come intuitively, and the directions only show a graphic which offers nothing helpful. After staring at it a while I used a screwdriver to twist into the connection, and then once I saw how it snapped apart then twisted open it made sense and I could easily replicate without using the screwdriver. Re-connecting it is slightly challenging under a tight wheel well, but other than that they fit great and I like the Servo tightener system which was my main reason for considering these and the Konig XG-12's. These will do the job well when they're called for...but if I were buying chains for a vehicle that I knew I would be using them anymore than rarely, I think I would get the Konig XG-12's.1668481

Good luck with latching or unlatching th cable that goes around behind the tires. The videos don’t help and neither did customer support.1702183

by: Peter01/25/2018

Lexus

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.469494

After a little practice we were able to install chains in less than 5 minutes each tire....by the side of the snowy road as it was storming and windy. A little effort to remove the top locking clip because you have to pull the chains forward towards you. But again, still easy to do.1490121

Excellent ordering and delivery process. The product (Pewag RS Self-Tensioning Snow Tire Chains) arrived sooner than I had expected. I have not installed them yet but they appear to be highest quality and sturdy, substantial weight.1192211

by: Excellent 12/11/2019

There are many types of tire chains available today. When you want reliable, relatively easy to install chains, this is a great choice. In addition, it appears that they will wear well.

There is no available reliable data available on the strength of tire chains when high levels of horsepower are delivered through them. My personal experience is that my 300 hp pickup can easily break chains in this design category. I have never broken link chains with cam tighteners. Those conditions require the chain to be very snug. No looseness can be permitted.

The link chains fail when hopping takes place. Little doubt that will be true for these as well. Avoiding hopping requires high skill and the willingness to say, I am turning around and going back. Given the chain design, it does run very smoothly. This will minimize the likelihood of hopping.730742

The chains arrived quickly and were of the correct size. No snow yet so the chains have not been tried, but they look to be of good quality.901382

by: Cynthia12/21/2022

They are VERY difficult to install 1487810

AAA+++ Thanks! 1480638

1498289

Had them on the car for 15 minutes to test in 6 inches of fresh snow and they broke. I installed and reinstalled for practice, made sure they were tight, and even double checked the box to ensure they were the correct size. I was in contact with Pewag that afternoon but have not heard back from them since. My issues are with Pewag only, not etrailer.1733689

by: Ricky11/05/2022

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.1463931

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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.1728587

Super easy and quick to install just like the videos describe. I haven't used them yet, but I'm hoping they will work well when the roads are bad.1532047

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.1655876

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by: Utah12/02/2023

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.1698149

Easy to install and remove in 1-2 minutes each on our 2023 Honda CR-V Sport Touring Hybrid (19" rims) (especially if you have used chains with this design before). The only thing that took a moment was figuring out how to detach the red clip at the bottom of the chains before installation. Compact but sturdy carrying case. Waterproof pictogram instructions and long plastic gloves to fit over winterwear are great added touches.1706332

by: Christopher 10/26/2023

These chains were invaluable last winter during our big snow storm and thereafter. They are great chains. The only reason I'm not giving 5 starts is that I previously had pretty much the same ones for the 17" wheels on my last vehicle and the hooking mechanism was better on those. This one is rather difficult to hook together at the first attachment point. Otherwise I would definitely recommend these.1686489

by: Crystal01/06/2019

We used these chains going up to Truckee and they were the easiest chains we’ve ever installed. Highly recommended!595384

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service was excellent and the product arrived exactly as described. I did a test install in my driveway and the tire chains went on easily just like the video. We've not yet had snow for me to test them so no review there yet, but I'm happy with the service etrailer has provided!1700664

by: Inga11/02/2022

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.1461482

by: Mark10/29/2023

After an hour of struggling in the slush I was not able to get these chains on my tires.1687604

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!335643