Tire Chains

[oceansol]

Thinking about a ski trip to Big Bear here in southern California next week. I shouldn't NEED chains, but it would be very smart to have them for my 9-7.

So do I need two pairs (front and back)? Can I rent or buy and return if I don't use them?

[chiller]

Thinking about a ski trip to Big Bear here in southern California next week. I shouldn't NEED chains, but it would be very smart to have them for my 9-7.

So do I need two pairs (front and back)? Can I rent or buy and return if I don't use them?



i would think that a 4wd system would require it on all 4 wheels if you are going to do it, i don't think you will need to do it, unless your running the stock dunlops ..? or perhaps in cali where you're at you don't get enough snow to warrant buying snow tires like us up in the north...

if you are going to consider chains, i'd just get tire cables, be easier on your suspension...

http://www.tirechainsrequired.com/car-tire-chains.html

[oceansol]

Since I procrastinated, I didn't have time to buy online, and couldn't find them for sale anywhere. So I took the chance that I wouldn't need them, and had a pleasant surprise: Chains or 4wd + snow tires were required on my return last evening, and despite the driving snowstorm and 3 inches of fresh snow, the 9-7x performed flawlessly! Only a couple times did I notice any slippage, and it was immediately corrected by the system. I felt totally in control the whole time.

At one point the CHP was stopping each car and checking to see if they had either chains on or 4wd. He looked over my car and asked to see if he could see some indicator that it was in 4wd, and I told him it was AWD. He then noticed it was a Saab and said, "Oh, if I'd have noticed it was a Saab I'd have just waved you on through!"

That's a nice testimonial.

[CHIEFZUSAF]

This is good news for me since I've been wanting to take mine up towards Lake Tahoe/Reno and was not sure if I should invest in chains...thanks

[chiller]

This is good news for me since I've been wanting to take mine up towards Lake Tahoe/Reno and was not sure if I should invest in chains...thanks


the stock dunlops are 'ok' in snow, but ice you're going to slide verywhere, in fact with the stock dunlops from a standing start at a light you will light up the rear end before the front grabs, real winter tires you can't light up the rear the same way feels like you have claws on the tires...it all depends on what conditions you're driving on and how deep the snow is 2-3" is trace amount in my opinion, most all-season tires can get thru that with a medium of difficulty but it'll work, its when you get big snow like we get up north, go to sleep and get a foot of snow by the next morning, if you got anything but winter tires you're gonna be in for a bad drive...

[Tweek's Turbos]

"Oh, if I'd have noticed it was a Saab I'd have just waved you on through!"

That's a nice testimonial.

Word. We have had ice storms cripple DC a few times this month, but my 900 with Blizzaks has mastered the situation.

[oceansol]

the stock dunlops are 'ok' in snow, but ice you're going to slide verywhere, in fact with the stock dunlops from a standing start at a light you will light up the rear end before the front grabs, real winter tires you can't light up the rear the same way feels like you have claws on the tires...it all depends on what conditions you're driving on and how deep the snow is 2-3" is trace amount in my opinion, most all-season tires can get thru that with a medium of difficulty but it'll work, its when you get big snow like we get up north, go to sleep and get a foot of snow by the next morning, if you got anything but winter tires you're gonna be in for a bad drive...

Here in southern California 2 to 3 inches is a big snowfall! The stock Dunlop's (rated M+S and therefore qualify under state law as "snow tires") did great, and going up and downhill I didn't have any problems with slippage at all, and only once on the road at about 30mph did I feel it get 'loose' at all. For the record, I have the 5.3 as well.