An automatic tire chain for driver operated vehicles includes a chain device that is moved to the road contact surface of a tire from a position adjacent thereto by means of a spring mechanism placed under tension when the chain is held away from the road contact surface of the tire. A pair of rings, one being fixed to the wheel and the other being slideably mounted thereon are provided with indexing slots. The slideable ring has a chain affixed thereon and is moved relative to the fixed ring by an operator activated engaging mechanism mounted on the vehicle. The engaging means engages the indexing slots and moves the slideable ring relative to the fixed ring while the vehicle moves along the road at a speed less than 10 miles per hour placing the chain adjacent to the road contact surface of the tire. Upon activation of the engaging means by the operator of the vehicle a second time the engaging mechanism releases a locking device permitting the slideable ring to move by the force of spring tension to its first position pulling the chain from its adjacent position to the road contact surface of the tire.
