Cables: are Z6 needed or can I use cheap ones?

[BlueCorn]

Originally Posted by subiesailor

Wrong very wrong!

With the AWD subaru IF! big IF you ever put cables on they go on the front ALWAYS! This is actually covered in your owners manual!

By the way I recall that spot in Tahoe I don't ever remember climbing it or coming down it being an issue at all. Granted the surface can't be ice or crusty nasty old snow given short of having a snow machine your not going to have much if any traction regardless of which direction your going.

For starters, my owners manual says never to put them on.


With chains only on the front, if you're going anything but dead straight, the arse end will come around when you brake. Don't believe me? Go try it.

[subiesailor]

Originally Posted by BlueCorn

For starters, my owners manual says never to put them on.


With chains only on the front, if you're going anything but dead straight, the arse end will come around when you brake. Don't believe me? Go try it.

You can do what ever it you want but giving very bad advice is just bad karma.

AWD car like the subarus if you ever strap on cables are treated like a front wheel drive car they go on the front. You can do anything you like but as I said your advice is ASS backwards in a big way.

[BlueCorn]

Suit yourself. I'll wave as I drive by and you're in the ditch.

[AWDFTW]

Older manuals state front wheels only.

I hate to say it...but subiesailor is right. Also, the cables typically won't physically fit the rear wheels of these cars.

Also, if you two start tossing out insults at each other....actually, just don't.

[BlueCorn]

I don't recall insulting anyone. I also know what the older manuals say but I've driven both ways. In a perfect world you want them on all 4; anything else is a trade-off. I prefer to drive slow enough to steer properly and know I can stop when/where I want.

You do what you think is right.

[upflying]

Not trying to pick sides but this is straight out of the Ca DMV website,

"Which axle do I install the chains on? Chains must be installed on the drive axle. All-wheel drive vehicles and 4-wheel drive vehicles may have chains installed on either drive axle, but the rear axle is preferred, unless the vehicle manufacturer recommends the front axle".


Blucorn is technically correct but the caveat is to follow what the vehicle mfg says.

[Novablue]

Subaru's are typically a little more front biased with the AWD so putting them on the front may give better traction for steering. Putting them on the back will not guarantee you do unintentional donuts. The Brake system is also front biased so there is a danger of the car spinning out under heavy braking.

That said I have spun out in cars that had too much brake force from the rear too. Know your car and learn to drive in the elements if you have to drive in them.

The vehicle will not perform well with chains on only one axle so you get to decided: Do I want to be able to steer, or stop?

If it's me, I'm putting them on the front. Most of the time you can't stop anyway.

[1 Lucky Texan]

1. put chains on the front

2. install FWD fuse

3. Drive

4. profit ???

[LucaPCP]

My car is a 6MT so it is not front biased, but I have to check whether the cables fit in the back. My plan is to try to avoid using them, and otherwise, get winter tires. There would be no point in having a Subaru and still having to put chains on!

[hoppyjr]

If it's bad enough to warrant chains, after I have an AWD Subaru and four winter tires, then I'm not going.....