Tire Chains on an SVX?

[K_Dub]

First time taking the new Subee into the white stuff this weekend, and I'll admit I'm a bit nervous. Anybody ever put front chains on the car, is it worth the trouble, and will I end up beating my fenders to death? I've got the Kuhmo Ecsta ASX all-season tires on "17 rims, but I know these won't compare to winter tires I've used in the past in Colorado. My girlfriend has never seen snow, so it's important that I don't end up stuck in a ditch with a pissed off shivering girl waiting while I dig out.

Before you tell me I'm a fool, I also never go anywhere without a come-along, 50ft of tow rope, a hatchet, a shovel, and a tarp in the trunk. I'd just prefer to not need any of these.

[maxg765]

Originally Posted by K_Dub

First time taking the new Subee into the white stuff this weekend, and I'll admit I'm a bit nervous. Anybody ever put front chains on the car, is it worth the trouble, and will I end up beating my fenders to death? I've got the Kuhmo Ecsta ASX all-season tires on "17 rims, but I know these won't compare to winter tires I've used in the past in Colorado. My girlfriend has never seen snow, so it's important that I don't end up stuck in a ditch with a pissed off shivering girl waiting while I dig out.

Before you tell me I'm a fool, I also never go anywhere without a come-along, 50ft of tow rope, a hatchet, a shovel, and a tarp in the trunk. I'd just prefer to not need any of these.

Hello

First off you should not bring the GF and a hatchet in the same car. If you get stuck one of you may end up using it and the trunk.

Is your car AWD or FWD? I assume if AWD then you would need to put chains on all four not to ruin the trans or something but I am no expert.

If you are just going to be hitting the snow the one time and thats it then the chains would do but keep in mind it is a slow moving solution. I do not believe that you can go on the autoroute with the chains.

If you will be seeing snow several times and you have the budget and the original rims on hand (or others) then I would certainly suggest winter tires. They are far better then chains would be and you do not need to worry about the car and greater speeds (within common sense here). You should be able to pick up snow tires in the US for some $50 to $60 each and even cheap no name brand ones would do. Go the thinner size of 215/55/16 which was the 1997 SVX standard size which cost less the the 225/50/16 sizes if you decide on snows. Also the more narrow the better for carving through the white stuff.

The only time I see chains on cars here in Montreal during winter is on local snow removal pick ups with plows in front or when a car is in a ditch and trying to get out using them as a temp solution.

hope this helps

Max

[IceBlade]

Yeah tire chains are illegal in Quebec. In fact, I think they're illegal throughout Canada. I have two sets of mag's, summer and winter. My SVX is only FWD and with the winter tires on I've never had a problem. With AWD and 4 seasons I think you'll be fine. Where are you going with snow? How much snow do you expect to be driving through?

[K_Dub]

I'm going up to the Sierra Nevada range (Tahoe area), on Thursday/Friday and they're under a winter storm warning now through Wed night. That'll give them plenty of time to plow/sand before I hit it, but on previous cars I've always had a set of chains at the ready for the DEEP stuff. I can attest to my old Legacy being the best snow car around with a set of chains up front. I used it to pull a search and rescue F350 rig from a ditch during a blizzard. That car blasted through 2 feet of unplowed snow like there was nothing to it. I don't expect that from the SVX (50/50 AWD on the Leggy vs 90/10 on the SVX, obvious weight difference, wider tires...) but I was just wondering what I'll be in for. I guess I'm just being paranoid because I want the trip to go well.

[Tim]

Do you still have the legacy? If so, I'd take that one out

[Crazy_pilot]

I have yet to find snow deep enough to stop my SVX, and I've tried. I've plowed through untouched snow that covered my headlights and ended up largely on the hood without too much difficulty. When I was doing the SnowX racing season last winter the truck we use to tow the groomer got stuck (GMC Sierra 3500, Duramax, dually, etc) trying to get to the track after getting an 18 inch dump overnight, but the SVX had no trouble. Stock auto with Blizzak Revo1 tires, the car doesn't even blink when it gets white out.

[K_Dub]

Originally Posted by Tim

Do you still have the legacy? If so, I'd take that one out

If only I did. Its death was the birth of the SVX. But in the end I guess a Subaru by any other name should plow the same. California regularly does chain restrictions on the highways, sometimes when the road is just wet. I've gotten through them with a little sweet talk, explaining that chains on wet roads do more harm than good, then describing AWD in detail to a cop in a RWD Crown Victoria. A hassle to say the least, but I've always had the chains handy for when they're needed. The best bet I've found is to buy a set to show the Highway Patrol, then never put them on.

[JaySVX]

I've seen the SVX plow through some serious snow, and have done so myself quite easily as well. If they're really giving you a hard time about it, i'd toss a set in the trunk and call it a day.

[zavikan]

Originally Posted by K_Dub

California regularly does chain restrictions on the highways, sometimes when the road is just wet.

Wait, they force you to have them ON....on a highway?!?!?!?

thats just crazy talk!

[JaySVX]

Well it is California!

[Tim]

Arnald for the win!

[maxg765]

Originally Posted by K_Dub

I don't expect that from the SVX (50/50 AWD on the Leggy vs 90/10 on the SVX, obvious weight difference, wider tires...)

Hello

I am not aware of this. Does this mean that the SVX only has 90/10 split AWD system? I thought like all other Subi's it would split up to 50% to the rears.

Thanks

Max

[benebob]

Originally Posted by K_Dub

I don't expect that from the SVX (50/50 AWD on the Leggy vs 90/10 on the SVX, obvious weight difference, wider tires...) but I was just wondering what I'll be in for. I guess I'm just being paranoid because I want the trip to go well.

I'm assuming that your lego was a stick then? If it was an auto it had the same 90/10 with up to 50-50. Provided you know how to drive in snow (might be a stretch as well you are from Calipornificationjk) you'll be fine. The SVX in my limited experience (I ride if it isn't too bad and move to the rwd f-250 if I don't want to ride with leg rigging) with Yoko A540s on it tends to like to get its rear swinging a bit compared to a lego or imp BUT a good driver can not only control it but make it a ton of fun. As soon as that rear starts to slide simply stomp on it, the tranny will shift power and she'll squat and straighten right out.

[Crazy_pilot]

Originally Posted by maxg765

Hello

I am not aware of this. Does this mean that the SVX only has 90/10 split AWD system? I thought like all other Subi's it would split up to 50% to the rears.

Thanks

Max

If you're cruising on the highway then yes, it's a 90 front/10 rear split. But get the fronts slipping and it will transfer up to 50% power to the rear wheels, this was the standard Phase I 4EAT way of doing things. The newer Phase II are more rear-biased.

[Tim]

Originally Posted by Crazy_pilot

If you're cruising on the highway then yes, it's a 90 front/10 rear split. But get the fronts slipping and it will transfer up to 50% power to the rear wheels, this was the standard Phase I 4EAT way of doing things. The newer Phase II are more rear-biased.

The only real difference is the added weight, lower ground clearance and wider tires with smaller sidewall. Eventually when the snow gets high enough the front bumper turns into a snowplow.

I haven't driven the svx in snow in about a year. Overall, the car was very predictable to drive in the snow, provided that your tires are decent.