Are tire chains and studs legal in Wisconsin?
Whether you have a tough Ford truck, a big Ford SUV, or even a car or sedan, you may be worried about getting the most traction once the winter weather starts hitting hard. Are tire chains and studs legal in Wisconsin? We have your answers right here.
When can you use tire chains?
Tire chains are perfectly legal in Wisconsin but only when the conditions permit. Wisconsin law is pretty vague here, but if you are going to be driving through snow or ice, putting on tire chains may not be a bad idea. Use your best judgment.
Tire chains do have several drawbacks. For starters, they can be difficult to put on and take off. On top of that, you should not go in excess of 30 mph when you have tire chains in place. Going any faster can compromise the integrity of the chains causing them to break apart and cause damage to your car, other cars, and potentially even pedestrians. It also means you lose your tire chains.
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Are Wisconsin tire studs illegal?
You may use tire chains, but tire studs are illegal. These can be damaging to roads, especially since most people who utilize tire studs tend to leave them in all winter. Don’t think you will get away with it either. Tire studs make a lot of excess noise on a clean road, and most cops know what to listen for.
With that said, tire studs are only illegal on roadways. If you have a vehicle that you intend to use only on private roads or out on a frozen lake this winter, then you are perfectly within your rights to have tire studs installed.
Alternatives to tire studs and chains
If you want to be safer, but you don’t want to worry about the hassle of chains or the illegality of studs, then there are some other options out there. You can get snow tires for example. These specially compounded tires are completely legal, and they are a solution that you can leave in place all winter long.
In addition to that, it’s a good idea to keep a roadside emergency kit somewhere in your vehicle. In that kit, you should include things that can help you gain traction including some sand or kitty litter, and even a small shovel that you can use to dig yourself out of the snow.
Read More: Advantages of snow tires
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