Every winter, millions of drivers must comply with winter driving regulations by using approved safety devices such as snow chains.
One of the most common questions is: Can my car be fitted with snow chains?
Or: Which snow chains are compatible with my vehicle and tire size?
To answer these questions, it is essential to understand the concept of vehicle chainability.
What is vehicle chainability? (Simple definition)
Vehicle chainability refers to whether snow chains can be safely installed on your car without causing damage to mechanical parts, electronic components, or the bodywork.
Checking tire size alone is not enough. Chainability also depends on:
- wheel-arch clearance
- rim width and offset
- suspension design
- braking system layout
- electronic sensors located inside the wheel arch
These factors determine whether snow chains can be mounted safely.
The two levels of compatibility for König snow chains
1. Chain – tire compatibility
This level identifies all snow chains that match a specific tire size (e.g., 245/50-19).
However, tire compatibility alone does not guarantee that the chain can actually be installed on your car without interference inside the wheel arch.
2. Chain – tire – vehicle compatibility
This step evaluates whether the snow chain is compatible with both the tire and the vehicle model.
For example: a König Reflex Cross 249 may fit tires 245/50-19 but still be incompatible with a specific car (e.g., the 2025 Audi A6 e-Tron) if the wheel arch does not provide enough clearance for safe installation and driving.
Why the wheel arch is key for snow chain compatibility
The wheel arch houses several critical components, including:
- wheel and rim
- suspension
- braking system
- ABS/ESP sensors
Because of this, available space varies depending on wheel and tire dimensions:
- smaller wheels → more clearance
- larger wheels → less space for traditional snow chains
For this reason, some vehicles are classified as non-chainable.
How to check whether your car is chainable
You don’t need to analyse technical specifications on your own. König provides an updated online configurator that instantly shows which snow chains are compatible with your vehicle.
To use the configurator, simply enter:
- Vehicle make and model
- Tire size
You will receive a list of verified compatible snow chains based on detailed evaluations of each specific combination.
König support and customer assistance
If you still have doubts or prefer personalised advice, you can contact König directly via:
Our technical team will help you choose the safest and most suitable snow chains for your vehicle.
In conclusion: vehicle chainability is not a minor detail—it is a crucial factor for safe winter driving.
With König’s online configurator and dedicated support, you can confidently choose approved, compatible, and reliable snow chains.
Don’t leave anything to chance:
Check your car’s chainability today and travel safely throughout the winter with König.