Tire Chains on Forester

[DMH]

I have an '06 Forester. I was thinking of carrying chains for use in
extreme winter conditions. The manual says that they are ok provided
that the meet the right clearance standards and are put on the front
wheels. I'd be interested in hearing from others on their experiences
with tire chains. Thanks.

 

[Carl 1 Lucky Texan]

I have an '06 Forester. I was thinking of carrying chains for use in
extreme winter conditions. The manual says that they are ok provided
that the meet the right clearance standards and are put on the front
wheels. I'd be interested in hearing from others on their experiences
with tire chains. Thanks.

no experience but I ran across an interesting product - probably aimed
more at folks who live with long periods of ice - called IIRC Spike's
Spiders. might try a search for them - interesting product.

Carl

 

[Jim Stewart]

I have an '06 Forester. I was thinking of carrying chains for use in
extreme winter conditions. The manual says that they are ok provided
that the meet the right clearance standards and are put on the front
wheels. I'd be interested in hearing from others on their experiences
with tire chains. Thanks.

In the California Sierras, they are more
of a law enforcement formality than anything.

The law here states that AWD vehicles do
not have to chain up even if the road is
posted for chains. OTOH, if you do get
stuck and you can't chain up, you can be
cited.

We carry nice new chains that have only been
mounted once in the warmth of our garage
to check fit and clearance.

 

[Frank]

I would assume they have to be on back wheels as well as front because
of the difference in tire diameter that we always hear about - could
mess up AWD.

 

[Michael Pardee]

no experience but I ran across an interesting product - probably aimed
more at folks who live with long periods of ice - called IIRC Spike's
Spiders. might try a search for them - interesting product.

Carl

No personal experience myself, either, but only because the price is too
steep for me. People who have them all seem to love them - quick and easy to
put on once the hub adapters are fitted at the beginning of winter, and very
effective on ice. They might not be legal where studs are prohibited,
though.
http://www.spikes-spiders.com/

I have gone to Z-cables, available at NAPA, because they can be put on
without moving the car (difficult at times) or jacking the wheels up. They
also may have more resistance to sideways sliding, but I don't have the
experience yet

I also carry a small piece of the foam sheet that is used for underlayment
on laminate floors, so I can kneel without oogies (technical term) getting
me.

Mike

 

[Carl 1 Lucky Texan]

I would assume they have to be on back wheels as well as front because
of the difference in tire diameter that we always hear about - could
mess up AWD.

Under conditions where there is plenty of slippage, there is less
binding on the drivetrain so I think there is less chance of damage.
Whatever the manual says I guess.
Seems like the fronts or all 4 would be OK. I guess, if you'd stud all 4
tires, the drivetrain should also have no problem with traction devices
on all 4?

I dunno - I'm a flatlander.

 

[QX]

In the California Sierras, they are more
of a law enforcement formality than anything.

The law here states that AWD vehicles do
not have to chain up even if the road is
posted for chains. OTOH, if you do get
stuck and you can't chain up, you can be
cited.

We carry nice new chains that have only been
mounted once in the warmth of our garage
to check fit and clearance.

Good idea to carry them, this is from CALTRANS website:

Requirement Two (R2): Chains are required on all vehicles except
four wheel drive vehicles with snow tires on all four wheels.
(NOTE: Four wheel drive vehicles must carry traction devices in chain
control areas)
Requirement Three (R3): Chains are required on all vehicles, no
exceptions.

See below (California Vehicle Code p 27459) for definition of
Snow tires.

Security Chain Company, who manufactures traction devices, and runs
the website:

http://www.scc-chain.com/Pages Traction/traction.html

has lots of traction information, along with several types of cable
and link chains that meet the SAE Type "S" requirements.

The limited clearance requirements mandate the "Type "S" chain.



This website is from CALTRANS and designates the three types of chain
controls that may be in effect.
http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/roadinfo/chcontrl.htm

From the California Vehicle Code:
27459. No person shall operate any motor vehicle, trailer or
semitrailer upon any portion of a highway without tire traction
devices when that portion of the highway is signed for the
requirement of tire traction devices. In any case where a passenger
vehicle or motortruck having an unladen weight of 6,000 pounds or
less may be required by the Department of Transportation or local
authorities to be equipped with tire traction devices, the devices
shall be placed on at least two drive wheels, or the department or
local authorities may provide, in the alternative, that the vehicle
may be equipped with snow-tread tires on at least two drive wheels
when the weather and surface conditions at the time are such that the
stopping, tractive, and cornering abilities of the snow-tread tires
are adequate. The snow-tread tires shall be of a type and design
manufactured for use on snow as a replacement for tire chains or tire
traction devices, shall be in good condition, and shall bear the
marking of M-S, M/S, or other marking indicating that the tire was
manufactured for use on snow, or, in the case of tires purchased
before January 1, 1987, shall either bear the markings or, in the
opinion of the inspecting officer, comply with the tread pattern
requirements of Section 558.


All in all, it looks like it depends on the highway, local
jurisdiction, and the judgement of the CHP/LE officer.

 

[Boris]

I have an '06 Forester. I was thinking of carrying chains for use in

extreme winter conditions. The manual says that they are ok provided
that the meet the right clearance standards and are put on the front
wheels. I'd be interested in hearing from others on their experiences
with tire chains. Thanks.

I once tried to put chains on my 2001 Forester in Sierra Nevada. A snow
removal truck that was passing by stopped, and the driver told me: I never
need chains on my car (even when chains are required officially).

-Boris

 

[MN]

I once tried to put chains on my 2001 Forester in Sierra Nevada. A snow
removal truck that was passing by stopped, and the driver told me: I never
need chains on my car (even when chains are required officially).

I used to travel from Reno to Sacramento/SF almost every
week for about 5 years and CALTRANS'es attitude seems
to be: they prefer to close I-80 highway entirely when conditions
become really dangerous. So if you have AWD you don't need
any chains and when theoretically chains would be required on
an AWD vehicle they'll most likely close the highway completely.

Before I got a Subie I used Spikes Spider. This is a
wonderful product and very popular in the Sierras. The
main benefit is that its easy to put on. Snaps on within
seconds, I averaged approx. 30sec per wheel. No need
to move the vehicle either.

I've heard cables may be safer then chains for Subies (when
installed on two wheels only) because they are thinner and kinda
press into the tire, or more like tire bulges around them
so there is not much tire diameter change to negatively
affect AWD.

MN