Tires Snow Chains

OK, I have never been in the snow with my SVX before...I've never been in any unworthy conditions with it. Does it even need chains or does the awd prove to be enough? Also, if the chains are a necesary item or at least a precaution...what do I do with 17 rims? I don't want the chains clanking on the rims...so...there are pics in my locker of the tires and my signature contains what kind they are. Please help, I leave for Mammoth Mountain soon.

-Scott

I live in a snow belt and believe that snow tires are the best choice for heavy snow.

All season tires are NOT snow tires and even at full tread depth are a 4 on 10 at best. Personally I do not use chains and in fact, I believe that they are illegal on our roads.

There are some mountain passes in the rockies that will NOT let road cars pass checkpoints without chains so theu must have some benefits.

I don't want chains flailing along in my wheelswells and you are very limited in speed.

There are mud and snow rated tires that are more aggressive than all season and less so that a pure deep lug snow tire. Michelin Alpin tires are exceptional and not overpriced

Hotshoe

i use Dunlop SP Sport A2 Mud/Snow tires in the winter, and they are absolutely fantastic. I have never gotten stuck with them, and I have passed in some very deep snow.

I dont think you would want to use chains on your 17s. That seems kind of silly.

Mike

[BLKSVX92]

hey mike...what about that one time, in that one place, at that meet, when you were by yourself

[blackbolt94red]

I've got some Mich...mech....micheln....oh hell, the fat pillsbury dough boy looking guy.....pilots something or other, with the deep groove down the middle and while they are adequate in the snow, (and great in the rain) and we get our share of snow here most winters, my problems both times I've gotten stuck is getting high centered. Sometimes the pavement drops away slightly but the snow doesn't, resulting in the car being sort of lifted off the ground by the snow underneath. The car is low for any serious deep snow driving. IMHO
But boy are the big parking lots fun..........

[Mr. Pockets]

Scott, I don't think you'll need chains on your tires. But, just for reference, if you do put chains on the car, they go on the front tires only.

I agree with the above posts - get yourself a good M&S rated tire. I've been thrilled with Dunlop M&S tires, and others here swear by other brands. I have a set of Nokian NRWs for the SVX, but I've never actually used them. Everyone in Vermont swore by Nokians.

[Bwana]

Originally posted by Green1995SVX
. I have never gotten stuck with them, and I have passed in some very deep snow.

Mike

Mike, what about the time you were coming out of your new garage? yeah...that's what i thought.

chains? i can't recall the last time i've seen them used! and i'm old enough that on my first car the wipers were vacuum operated. i used to have a set of studded snows years ago, they were great, until they were outlawed because they apparently tore up the road.

It is just for a ski trip. I love on the west coast. I won't buy new tires for a two day trip. But you think I could find chains that wouldn't screw up my rims...? Cause right now, I robably won't buy any.

[Earthworm]

When I can afford it I will have 2 sets of tires...one for summer and one for winter. I'm currently using my summer tires right now and realising how horrible they really are in the winter!