Chains

[Pointbrk760]

Will they let my AWD WRX without chains with street tires through?
Thanks.

[Sierra Lady]

And the lucky winner of the annual "chain" thread is...Pointbrk760.

FAQ's CA. Dept of Transportation Chain Requirments

Are “all-weather” or “all-terrain” tires the same as “snow” tires?

They may be. Snow tires have the designation “Mud & Snow” or an abbreviation such as “M-S,” “M+S,” or “M/S” marked on the tire sidewall. Tires without this designation are not considered snow tires. Snow tires must also have at least 6/32-inch (3/16”) of tread depth (about 1/2 of the original tread depth).

Division of Traffic Operations - Road Information - Winter Driving Tips

Mammoth Lakes Winter Driving Tips

Vehicles traveling in the eastern Sierra during winter months are advised to carry chains at all times. You must stop and put on chains when highway signs indicate chains are required. Drivers failing to observe the chain controls will be required to stop their vehicles and chain up or you can be cited by the California Highway Patrol and fined if you don't. If you do not have your chains with you, you will not be able to continue your trip.

[SurfnSnowboard]

Will they let my AWD WRX without chains with street tires through?
Thanks.

It depends on whether it's R1, R2, or R3 restrictions in effect. In any case you're required to carry chains regardless.

http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/roadinfo/chcontrl.htm

[theHighwayman]

viewtopic.php?f=8&t=5237

YUP MAYbe NOPE

BEST to be PREPARED

[Spirit Tree]

Not today. Here's a link recommend you checking before you travel to give you some idea. "Click" on the chain control box.
http://quickmap.dot.ca.gov/

[CyberK]

Even though he totally jinxed the entire season for us, I recommend you buy your chains from the Highwayman here on the forums. He will give you a quick class on how to properly install them.

He helps hundreds of people every year with car troubles on the road, without any compensation what-so-ever.

http://youtu.be/p-vsv6SMRY4
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/24/thomas-weller-san-diego-h_n_1622712.html
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-18563_162-57459042/sowing-the-seeds-of-kindness-on-san-diegos-highways/

and many, many others.

If anybody in this world deserves our support, it is him.

His website is http://www.chainsbysnowbird.com/

He is great with chains, but lousy with weather.

[theHighwayman]

hey HEY *HEY*!!

I resemble that remark

thx CK

[moresnowplease]

He totally jinxed us.
But is the MAN !!

[Skz Mmth]

And the lucky winner of the annual "chain" thread is...Pointbrk760.

FAQ's CA. Dept of Transportation Chain Requirments

Are “all-weather” or “all-terrain” tires the same as “snow” tires?

They may be. Snow tires have the designation “Mud & Snow” or an abbreviation such as “M-S,” “M+S,” or “M/S” marked on the tire sidewall. Tires without this designation are not considered snow tires. Snow tires must also have at least 6/32-inch (3/16”) of tread depth (about 1/2 of the original tread depth).

Division of Traffic Operations - Road Information - Winter Driving Tips

Mammoth Lakes Winter Driving Tips

Vehicles traveling in the eastern Sierra during winter months are advised to carry chains at all times. You must stop and put on chains when highway signs indicate chains are required. Drivers failing to observe the chain controls will be required to stop their vehicles and chain up or you can be cited by the California Highway Patrol and fined if you don't. If you do not have your chains with you, you will not be able to continue your trip.

LOL

[aberg38]

Chains? We don't need no stinkin chains!

[MountainNut]

These tire chain thingees...

Anyone actually used them before?

How do you put them on?

I never bother .. just plow thru the snow in 2WD and give it lotsa power!

Spinning tires eventually grip, ya know!

Those chains are over-rated!!!

[TheSnowman]

I would like to see you make it to my cabin in a storm with 2wd.

[SkierBob]

These tire chain thingees...

Anyone actually used them before?

How do you put them on?

I never bother .. just plow thru the snow in 2WD and give it lotsa power!

Spinning tires eventually grip, ya know!

Those chains are over-rated!!!

I go with Newton's laws of motion. The one that works the best for driving in the snow and hiking across a scree slope is "object in motion stays in motion with the same speed and in the same direction unless acted upon by an unbalanced force". Although 2ft of snow might be an unbalanced force

[ride395]

I go with Shifty's law of chain restrictions ... if you get pulled over at a checkpoint without chains, just root around in the bushes until you find some - show them to the officer - and you're golden.

[Biker395]

I go with Shifty's law of chain restrictions ... if you get pulled over at a checkpoint without chains, just root around in the bushes until you find some - show them to the officer - and you're golden.

lol.

The short answer is what SnS said and what kind of tires you have:

R1, you are OK with any tires.
R2, you're OK with all season radials or snow tires.
R3, you'll need chains. And some praying.

However:

You must carry chains. Be prepared to show them.
AWD is sweet, but it doesn't help you when you're trying to stop. Beware.
Don't be an ass like me and wait until you're literally swimming in snow drifts before you put them on.