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How to Buy Winter Tire Chains and Traction Mats

How to · Auto

How to Buy Winter Tire Chains and Traction Mats

Grab your heavy-duty winter gear in August when prices are soft, and use a steady plan to pay it off.

VoAtlas editorial Updated · 3 min read
Typical cost $250 before anything else
Across the 0% window $16.67/mo 15 months, no interest

How we got that: $250 spread evenly across the 15-month introductory window on the Discover it® Cash Back. Checked · at the bank Carry a balance past the window and the standard APR applies to what is left.

Winter gear is one of those things we put off until the first snow hits, which is exactly when prices spike and shelves go empty. Getting your heavy-duty tire chains and recovery traction mats sorted in August means you beat the rush and pick up the equipment when demand is at its lowest.

A purchase like this usually runs about $250, so we want to time the buy right and map out the payments without any surprises. Financing is just a tool to spread out the cash flow, so let's look at how to handle the bill before the weather turns.

Just remember that the 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers is a hard deadline, not free money. If you still have a balance left on that $250 when the 15 months are up, interest will kick in on what's left.

The steps

  1. 01

    Buy in August

    Retailers clear out winter inventory or keep prices low in the summer months before the seasonal rush hits. Lock in your chains and mats now while selection is high and you aren't panic-buying in a parking lot.

  2. 02

    Match your tire size

    Double-check your exact tire dimensions on the sidewall before you click buy. Chains that are even slightly the wrong size will slip, snap, or ruin your wheel well.

  3. 03

    Spread the cost

    We can use the Discover it® Cash Back card's 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers to break that $250 total down. If you divide it across the 15-month window, you are looking at about $16.67 per month.

  4. 04

    Practice a dry run

    Do not wait for a blizzard on the side of a dark mountain pass to figure out how your chains work. Throw them on your tires in the driveway once so your hands know what to do when it's freezing.

  5. 05

    Stash the mats right

    Keep your recovery traction mats somewhere easy to reach in the trunk, not buried beneath all your road trip luggage. If you slide into a snowbank, you want to grab them in ten seconds flat.

  6. 06

    Check the card terms before you commit

    Every figure we publish for the Discover it® Cash Back carries the date a person verified it against Discover and a link to where they checked. Intro windows and APRs change without notice, so confirm the current terms before applying.

    See Discover it® Cash Back terms →

Common questions

Are tire chains really necessary if I have all-wheel drive?

Yes, because all-wheel drive helps you go, but it doesn't help you stop or steer on packed ice. Chains give your tires actual teeth when the road turns into a luge track.

Do I need traction mats if I already have chains?

Chains are for driving down snow-packed roads, while mats are for when you're already stuck and spinning a tire in a rut. They give your tread something to bite into so you can back out.

What happens if I miss a monthly payment during the 15 months?

Missing a payment can trigger late fees and might cancel your promotional rate early. Set up autopay for at least the minimum so you don't accidentally lose the 0% window.

Should I buy cable chains or link chains?

Link chains are bulkier and bite harder in deep snow, while cables are smoother on cars with tight wheel wells. Check your car's manual to see what clearance you have before buying.