When to use snow chains

[Scooby]

As for when you put chains on the subaru - you do not put chains on the subaru. LOL When you drive over the pass and you see a chain control stop they wave you through some areas the chain monkeys actually have a Subaru specific wave sort of like a secret handshake. Welcome to the fantastic world of Subaru AWD - you will never use them or need them in CA.

If you ever as in EVER find you need them they only go on the Front tires and yes they can heavily damage your car if not used right. So #1 Rule NEVER use Chains on your subaru![/QUOTE]

I call bs on no chains...!

I have used them on all four with zero problems...
I recommend cheap cable type chains.

It will not affect your awd..I've driven in some nasty icy conditions..
Unless you can afford some nokian hakkapelettias (best snow tire in the world).

I've found if you pull the abs fuse in snow/ice conditions your braking is much better...Abs is great for wet/dry pavement only....!

Best trick is to air down your tires about 10 lbs. and chain up and air back upthey will be nice and tight..(midwest trick)

[subiesailor]

Originally Posted by Scooby

As for when you put chains on the subaru - you do not put chains on the subaru. LOL When you drive over the pass and you see a chain control stop they wave you through some areas the chain monkeys actually have a Subaru specific wave sort of like a secret handshake. Welcome to the fantastic world of Subaru AWD - you will never use them or need them in CA.

If you ever as in EVER find you need them they only go on the Front tires and yes they can heavily damage your car if not used right. So #1 Rule NEVER use Chains on your subaru!

I call bs on no chains...!

I have used them on all four with zero problems...
I recommend cheap cable type chains.

It will not affect your awd..I've driven in some nasty icy conditions..
Unless you can afford some nokian hakkapelettias (best snow tire in the world).

I've found if you pull the abs fuse in snow/ice conditions your braking is much better...Abs is great for wet/dry pavement only....!

Best trick is to air down your tires about 10 lbs. and chain up and air back upthey will be nice and tight..(midwest trick)[/QUOTE]


I've used chains on all 4 too NEVER EVER on a open public road nor have we ever needed to use them on a public road thats open to traffic. Like I said in CA you will never use your chains on a public road especially when going to a major ski resort!

And yes chaining all 4 with the full time AWD system poses a mechanical issue given the type of traction all 4 wheels create can stress the AWD system given nothing but the most extreme traction issues would ever demand this type of need and even then the wheels would break traction long before stressing the drive system. Key word would be EXTREME conditions which also translates to closed public road.

[1 Lucky Texan]

Spikes Spider Quick/Compact - YouTube

Spikes Spider Quick/Compact - YouTube

AutoSock a Revolutionary Invention - YouTube

AutoSock a Revolutionary Invention - YouTube

lol! I dunno if the rope would clear my calipers!

You Tube

You Tube

[Scooby]

Originally Posted by subiesailor

I call bs on no chains...!

I have used them on all four with zero problems...
I recommend cheap cable type chains.

It will not affect your awd..I've driven in some nasty icy conditions..
Unless you can afford some nokian hakkapelettias (best snow tire in the world).

I've found if you pull the abs fuse in snow/ice conditions your braking is much better...Abs is great for wet/dry pavement only....!

Best trick is to air down your tires about 10 lbs. and chain up and air back upthey will be nice and tight..(midwest trick)

I've used chains on all 4 too NEVER EVER on a open public road nor have we ever needed to use them on a public road thats open to traffic. Like I said in CA you will never use your chains on a public road especially when going to a major ski resort!

And yes chaining all 4 with the full time AWD system poses a mechanical issue given the type of traction all 4 wheels create can stress the AWD system given nothing but the most extreme traction issues would ever demand this type of need and even then the wheels would break traction long before stressing the drive system. Key word would be EXTREME conditions which also translates to closed public road.[/QUOTE]

Have you never driven on a snowpacked sheet of ice..? I have a few times on open public roads and it was manditory or you get ticketed..!
Extreme conditons does not translate to a closed public road..!

Show me proof of any subaru that has had chains on all four that ever damaged a transmission or differential...!

Most of the time your going so slow ..and even if you did spin a tire nothing much would happen..Subarus are bombproof..! Now if your pulling out an F250 4x4 Which I have...I would not recommend it..Given the ring and pinion is so small...thats about the most extreme stress your gonna get..I've pulled 29 rigs out with my '03 outback and most of them trucks, suvs much heavier than mine.

Here's an article from last year to give you an idea of the mountain chaos going to major ski resorts..
Things like weather and crowds are unpredictable...

http://www.ktla.com/news/landing/ktl...0,603752.story

[tbar]

Originally Posted by Xtreme

I have a 2010 Outback and live in San Diego and have only driven in snow once.

I have Super z6 chains. Just before ThanksGiving I was at Sequoia National park and was lucky enough to experience a few inches of snow. Signs read “Chains Required” but based on posts I read on this board, I didn’t put them on. The Outback ran fine in snow up to 4 to 6 inches. I tested braking on an icy road and found the pedal chattered or felt bumpy, I presume this was an anti-slide brake feature kicking in.

I’m going to Mammoth soon to learn to snowboard. I was wondering if I could get any advice on what to look for to indicate that I should put on the chains. The tires are the standard Continentals that come with the car.

Thanks,
Larry

Larry,

In California you will be legal with M+S tires on your AWD vehicle. The stock Continentals are M+S (stamped on the sidewall of the tire). You must carry chains or traction devices, but you will probably never use them.

This is from the Caltrans website:
"Although Caltrans does not post signs with these designations nor use them to announce chain controls to the public, they are used internally within Caltrans and the CHP as a kind of shorthand to describe chain restrictions and may be included in traffic reports disseminated by various news outlets.

There are three primary categories of chain restrictions, as shown below:

R-1: Chains are required on all vehicles except passenger vehicles and light-duty trucks under 6,000 pounds gross weight and equipped with snow tires on at least two drive wheels. Chains must be carried by vehicles using snow tires. All vehicles towing trailers must have chains on one drive axle. Trailers with brakes must have chains on at least one axle.

R-2: Chains are required on all vehicles except four-wheel-drive vehicles under 6,500 pounds gross weight and equipped with snow tires on all four wheels. Chains for one set of drive wheels must be carried by four wheel-drive vehicles using snow tires.

R-3: Chains are required on all vehicles without exception.

R-1 and R-2 are the most common conditions. A highway will often be closed before an R-3 condition is imposed. Some local areas may use variations of these designations. You must follow the directions on the signs posted for chain controls or any instructions given by Caltrans or CHP personnel at chain control check points, even if these are at variance with broadcast road condition reports or information contained herein."

I drive to Mammoth often, and I've never seen R-3 conditions imposed. If the snow is that bad, CHP would close the road.

The State of California classifies M+S as snow tires, and considers AWD to be the same as four-wheel-drive in regards to chain regulations. Real snow tires are certainly better, but are impractical for most SoCal drivers. M+S are legal.