What about chains?

[SLSduke82]

With all the talk of winter tires, I had a thought. Why not chains/cables?

This is my first vehicle that a) should be equipped w/ m+s tires (all my other cars were when i got them) b) has a large diameter wheel and low profile tire.

Did a google search. Seems like some have tried, some haven't, with such low clearance.

I assume it might NOT be a good idea, but it's something I wanted to toss out. We get snow in Pittsburgh, but nothing horrible (read, maybe a 6" blast every other week, mostly flurries.). I.E. Winter tires might be a buy I really won't need, as where I live (and will be living), it's main roads, always salted/cleared right away. The cables MIGHT be a good idea just to have, in case.

Not sure. Just haven't heard anyone mention anything--esp. you CA folk.

[XeroState]

I would first check to see if they are legal in your area and then check to see if studded tires are legal. There is always a chance of the chains coming off while moving and tearing your fender a new one (small abit, but the chance IS there). The only vehicles I have seen here with chains are offroad trucks, though there are more than a handful of cars with studded tires (or winters sort of encourge it if you drive any distance in horrible coniditions). Also, if you drive mainly on dry roads (ie no snow or ice due to salt, heavy traffic, etc) I believe the chains can wreck the roads (emphize CAN as I don't know if they still do).

Not really an answer but I would check out studded tires first if your thinking of chains. Sorry for not really answering anything, I just like talking.

[SLSduke82]

Studs are fine. My dad used him on his old RWD Astro.

If I was gonna get studded tires (not sure they make em in 215/45/17 lol), I'd just go for blizzaks.

But right now, $400 just can't work for me. And we really don't get THAT bad of a winter. It's more just bitterly cold than snow all the time, and like I said they're good at clearing.

I was just wondering over chains for those few bad snows we might get (read, a handful), and I might NEED to get somewhere, and wouldn't have access to my dad's new AWD Astro.

[XeroState]

I am not really sure on chains personally. Though I took my cavy through a blizzard that you couldn't see BRAKE lights (not tail lights...when they actually light up when braking) 4 feet infront of me on crappy (I mean REAL crappy) all-seasons plowing through snow banks 3 feet high and had no problems. Hopefully someone can chime in on chains though.

[SLSduke82]

Chains OR cables.

Might be interesting just for us folks who live in the type of place that COULD receive nasty weather, but usually it's just cold, in winter.

[Sp00ner]

I would HATE to be in the drivers seat with chains or cables on. It would be so rough... I can feel expansion grooves like they're hitting my ass directly, I can just imagine the chains...

[SLSduke82]

Originally Posted by Sp00ner

I would HATE to be in the drivers seat with chains or cables on. It would be so rough... I can feel expansion grooves like they're hitting my ass directly, I can just imagine the chains...

Yeah, I've driven in cars/trucks with them on. It's not fun, but it works.

Which was why I'm wondering over whether or not they could be used on the RL. I'd probably need them six times during the winter, maybe less, maybe a few more. Like I said, we get snow, but huge blasts are a rare occurence. I'd say, on avg, we might get spurts of 2 or 3 inches once or twice a week, and the road crews are out as soon as the snow starts falling. And the big snowfalls (here, that's 8-10 inches) come maybe like 10 times a winter. In that case, I probably wouldn't be driving, anyway. And the REALLY big snowfalls (12+ inches) happen maybe twice, three times. And the city shuts down.

Plus, I'll be moving some time this winter, closer to where I work, and I plan on being able to walk/take the bus...save on parking, gas, etc.

So...my main question was, would cables be OKAY to use a few times during the winter? Otherwise, the stock tires would be fine for me, as my commute, right now, is seven miles on well-maintained highways. And when I move, I'll be 2 or 3 miles from work, and probably not driving. No sense in spending $400+ on winter tires if I really won't use them.

[dipolley]

Chains are illegal in most states on paved roads. You may see farm equipment on dirt roads. I know in MI that is the law. Studs are also illegal here.

You deffinitally need to find out the law. CAll your local tire shop. They will have your answer.

[SLSduke82]

from PennDOT's website:

75 Pa. C.S. § 4525 (2004)§ 4525. Tire equipment and traction surfaces (c) ICE GRIPS AND TIRE STUDS. -- Tires in which ice grips or tire studs of wear resisting material have been installed which provide resiliency upon contact with the road and which have projections not exceeding two thirty-seconds of an inch beyond the tread of the traction surface of the tire shall be permitted between November 1 of each year and April 16 of the following year. The Governor may by executive order extend the time tires with ice grips or tire studs may be used when highway condition are such that such tires would be a safety factor in traveling Commonwealth highways. The use of tires with ice grips or tire studs contrary to the provisions of this subsection shall be unlawful. (d) TIRE CHAINS -- Tire chains may be temporarily used on vehicles during periods of snow and ice emergency if the are in conformance with regulations promulgated by the department.

Which seems as if it goes along with what I'm thinking. Normally, I'd be fine here in the winter. And when the big snows happen, it's chaos...and snow chains seem to be allowed on a temp. basis.

Which leads me back to the orig. question, can they be safely used on the RL's tires for very short periods of time? Or has no one tried

[dipolley]

IMHO I would go studs not chains. Loose a stud oh well. Break a chain, major problems. I tiny bit of metal vs. a large linked chain of metal.

I would ask your tire shop for their opinion.