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.