(automotive) A tire designed to have long tread life in warm conditions, that will maintain grip in wet and dry conditions, and will function in hot and cool weather, but does not maintain grip in cold or freezing conditions

(automotive) A tire with rubber that remains soft at most winter temperatures, designed to maintain grip on snow and ice (historically these tires have poor tread life on tarmac and pavement, especially in non-cold temperatures)

(automotive) A tire with rubber that remains soft in most winter temperatures, to maintain grip on snow on ice, with good tread life on dry roads in cold conditions (tread life is poor in warm and hot conditions)

(automotive) A tire with rubber that remains soft in subfreezing conditions, and equipped with metal studs (pins) to increase traction on ice by digging into it

(Canada, US) snow chain.

plural of tire chain

(chiefly US, idiomatic, usually sports) A disaster; a chaotic person, thing, or situation.

Alternative form of tire fire

(cycling) A bicycle tire made of india-rubber tubing, with india-rubber stuffing.

Chronically tired; asthenic. / Lazy; shiftless.