AWD & snow chains

[theGlasswalker]

Not that we get snow where I am at (Kitsap Peninsula) but would I need chains for all of my tires on my AWD Astro, or just ones for the tires on a specific axle? Had to go through Snoqualmie Pass a few days ago when there was a snow advisory and thought this is something I should know.

[AstroWill]

The user manual for my 03 doesn't differentiate:

Tire Chains
Notice: Use tire chains only where legal and only
when you must. Use only SAE Class ”S” type chains
that are the proper size for your tires. Install them
on the rear axle tires and tighten them as tightly
as possible with the ends securely fastened.
Drive slowly and follow the chain manufacturer’s
instructions. If you can hear the chains contacting
your vehicle, stop and retighten them. If the contact
continues, slow down until it stops. Driving too
fast or spinning the wheels with chains on will
damage your vehicle.

I would prefer them on all tires, but that is just me.

[SilverBullet1997]

Hey, glass walker, welcome to the site, I know this is your 5th post and you joined in August, but I must have missed it, anyhow if you are running chains on the rear only you should be fine, but having them on all 4 is all the greater.

I am in Seattle, and have a set of chains, and also a nice barely used set of studded snow tires mounted on stock LT Astro rims, if you are interested in them let me know, I would sell them. As I run 31x1050r15 all-terrain tires on my van, and will not be running stock size tires anymore, so I don't need the chains or tires.

[theGlasswalker]

The user manual for my 03 doesn't differentiate:

Tire Chains
Notice: Use tire chains only where legal and only
when you must. Use only SAE Class ”S” type chains
that are the proper size for your tires. Install them
on the rear axle tires and tighten them as tightly
as possible with the ends securely fastened.
Drive slowly and follow the chain manufacturer’s
instructions. If you can hear the chains contacting
your vehicle, stop and retighten them. If the contact
continues, slow down until it stops. Driving too
fast or spinning the wheels with chains on will
damage your vehicle.

I would prefer them on all tires, but that is just me.

It looks like it does differentiate. "Install them on the rear axle tires".

I keep forgetting about the users manual. It says the same in mine.

[AstroWill]

It looks like it does differentiate. "Install them on the rear axle tires".

I keep forgetting about the users manual. It says the same in mine.

It does not differentiate between RWD and AWD, either way it says to put them on the rear. Should have made that clearer in my statement though I figured it was implied.

[Meterpig]

If you were stopped, they would see you were AWD and you would roll on. Cops don't typically chase down moving vehicles in the snow.

Although, Washington can be weird about snow. When I was in Cali, they didn't require them and out here, AWD and 4WD chains are not required.

The main issue is, if you cause an accident and don't have chains or some other device, you WILL get a ticket.

I would never, and I mean never, put chains on my astro. If it's that bad to need chains, the National Guard would be out.

[Meterpig]

http://www.wsdot.com/winter/traction.htm

2 seconds of google.

Tire chains required - except four-wheel/all-wheel drive.


You are welcome.

[AstroWill]

If you were stopped, they would see you were AWD and you would roll on. Cops don't typically chase down moving vehicles in the snow.

Although, Washington can be weird about snow. When I was in Cali, they didn't require them and out here, AWD and 4WD chains are not required.

The main issue is, if you cause an accident and don't have chains or some other device, you WILL get a ticket.

I would never, and I mean never, put chains on my astro. If it's that bad to need chains, the National Guard would be out.

All depends on where you are driving, I guess California has changed a few things:
http://www.dot.ca.gov/dist3/departments ... chains.htm

TYPES OF CHAIN CONTROL
During the winter months motorists may encounter traction device controls in the mountain areas of California. When chain controls are established, signs along side the road will be opened indicating the type of requirement. There are three requirements in California.

Requirement One (R1): Chains or snow tread tires required. Snow tires must have a tread depth of 6/32" with a "M & S" imprint on the tire's sidewall.

Requirement Two (R2): Chains required on all vehicles except four-wheel drives or all-wheel drives with snow tread tires on all four wheels. NOTE: four-wheel and all-wheel drive vehicles must carry traction devices in chain control areas)

Requirement Three (R3): Chains are required on all vehicles, no exceptions.

[Meterpig]

. I don't see a problem with what I said....but whatever whatever

We carried chains in the 4wd suburban going up to big bear because the sign said so. It was stupid.

If the roads are so bad they are allegedly requiring chains on 4wd...is the day I go around.

One year...the roads were so bad here... They just closed them. There were some videos of snowmachines cruising the highways. It was awesome.

[Lumpy]

When I was a kid it snowed one time in 25 years in LA. Like 1/100th of an inch. People flipped out, ran out for emergency food and water, tire chains. The CHP closed the freeways. The LASO closed the mtn roads. Schools closed. Emergency plans were activated. It was seriously stupid. It was gone 45 min later but the government left all the alerts in place for over 24 hrs. The talking heads just fed the frantic, telling people to buy gasoline and batteries and food.


Lump

[theGlasswalker]

It does not differentiate between RWD and AWD, either way it says to put them on the rear. Should have made that clearer in my statement though I figured it was implied.

Yeah, my bad. Didn't pick up on that.

[AstroWill]

When I was in Cali, they didn't require them and out here, AWD and 4WD chains are not required.

. I don't see a problem with what I said....but whatever whatever

I was just bringing up that they do require them even on 4wd and AWD in California when in R3 conditions, and carried under R2 conditions. Probably not very likely to need them, but there are situations where they are required.

[crgastro]

I have a 1998 chevy astro awd that one year was running studded snow tires and chains on all 4 tires with no problems.

[Jeepster09]

Back when I lived in State of Wyoming, I found running chains on front axle worked better than on rears, the added engine weight helped with traction. Running on just rears they just spun more in snow.

[4Zsnow]

Back when I lived in State of Wyoming, I found running chains on front axle worked better than on rears, the added engine weight helped with traction. Running on just rears they just spun more in snow.

No stranger to snow/winter driving here. UT, AK and WA.... in most situations I prefer this ^ method if chains need to be put on. Most of the time I have ever needed chains, I knew I was going to....

[Meterpig]

Chains would have been nice.