Recommended Tire Chains/Cables for 2020 Honda CRV AWD with Tire Size 235/60R18

Question:

What would you recommend for tire chains for the 2020 Honda CRV AWD 235/60R18. Would you recommend chains on front tires only, rear tires only, or all 4 tires? The manual recommends front wheel only and the SCC TC2212MM, which looks hard to install. Additionally, would you recommend the cable type chains or actual chain links? Thanks

asked by: Wei L

Expert Reply:

Snow chains are heavier and can sometimes be difficult to install, their primary advantage over cables is their durability followed by an advantage in deeper snow and ice. An example of this being the Konig Self-Tensioning Snow Tire Chains - XG12 Pro - Size 247, part # TH01594247. These have a max speed rating of 30 mph and are of the self-tensioning design. This option is my recommendation.

Snow cables are lighter weight, typically easier to install although may of the new designs (such as my recommendation above) for snow chains rival that ease of install. Until you get into severe ice and snow cables are quite sufficient. If you are at the point where the chains advantage in deeper snow and ice is realized, you are probably pushing the limits of the CRV, or any smaller crossover SUV's capability. But since these are frequently easier to install, they are very common choice and serve quit well.

The Glacier Cable Snow Tire Chains, # PW2029C are a fit for your 2020 Honda CR-V with 235/60-18 tires and while snow cables, they have a spring roller wrapped around the cross cables that provide the durability of traditional snow chains. With this you will want to also use the Glacier Multi-Arm Rubber Adjusters for Light-Truck Chains. For your size tire it will be part # PW105. These too have a max speed rating of 30 mph.

For the premium option that fits your Honda with 235/60-18 tires, there is the Konig Premium Self-Tensioning Snow Tire Chains, # TH02230K66. These are designed to ride solely on your vehicle's tire tread and perfect for vehicles with limited wheel-well clearance. These will automatically tighten and align as you drive providing the simplest installation of all options.

Per the owners manual for the 2020 Honda CR-V it stated "For tire chains: Install them on the front tires only." While I have seen CR-v's being operated with snow chains/cables on the rear wheels too, we always recommend following the OEM's published literature. So yes, I recommend installing only on the front tires.

Please note the linked product review and installation videos below that cover the three options I listed above. My suggestion being the # TH01594247.