Snow Chains

Lexus Si · February 7, 2014

Visited a couple of snow chain / roof box specialists today to get their views on fitting chains to my f-sport (rears obviously). Neither saw any problem fitting 9mm standard chains, I had expected to be recommended Thule K-summit type that don't wrap around the rear tyre wall but cost a fortune. In fact I watched a customer fit the k-summit type to his merc c 250 AMG which has so little clearance on top of the tyre at least it makes normal chains almost impossible to fit. The lexus has bags more top clearance and a good feel at the back can't pin point any problems. A couple of Lexus dealers have towed the line and just said it's not possible to fit them to 18inch wheels. Anyone know the technical reason?

DBIZO · March 24, 2023

Reviving this thread to see if anyone has first-hand experience.

I bought chains for my IS300h, matching for the tyre size, but when I tried to install in the Alps a couple weeks ago in case the car gets snowed in, I just couldn't.

Never fitted chains before and my dexterity is infamously bad, but I just couldn't reach around the tyre - the clearance thing. Luckily, it was not needed in the end, snowfall stopped.

But now I question if I've got the right chains for the tyre, but wrong for the car.

Any pointers would be much appreciated, probably saving me hours of to and fro.

Mr_Groundhog · March 24, 2023

At one point I was considering an alternative to chains: these fabric things (snow socks) that wrap around the tyres in lieu of chains: has anyone tried them? Seems counter-intuitive that something like that would increase snow grip, but....

And then there are these zip ties that you wrap around the tyre, seem lots easier to fit

Bluemarlin · March 24, 2023

No idea about the socks ot zip ties, but what you get will depend on where you intend to use them. In some parts of Europe snow chains or winter tyres are compulsory in the winter months. I had a similar dilemma a couple of years ago for a winter trip to Europe, and didn't know what to get. In the end I fitted Michelin Crossclimate tyres, which are snow rated and they worked pefectly in the snow.

Las Palmas · March 24, 2023

Snow chains are only valuable in deep snow, close to no good on ice.

Some of plastic will not damage the rims, but will last very short time if being used on any other surface than snow.

Different places, different rules and different how drivers are able to drive in slippery conditions.

DBIZO · March 24, 2023

6 hours ago, Bluemarlin said:

No idea about the socks ot zip ties, but what you get will depend on where you intend to use them. In some parts of Europe snow chains or winter tyres are compulsory in the winter months. I had a similar dilemma a couple of years ago for a winter trip to Europe, and didn't know what to get. In the end I fitted Michelin Crossclimate tyres, which are snow rated and they worked pefectly in the snow.

I had all-seasons on too, but not always good enough, you can get stuck easier than you think. If you stay on motorways and main roads and lowland cities, there should be no need for chains. But we were on a ski trip in the Alps.

All went well until it didn't. Tyres don't have much grip on already compressed, icy snow surfaces, and stopping on an uncleaned sideroad with incline before trying to turn back onto the main street was enough to lose all traction. Tried sliding back, but because of wheelspin (had Snow mode on, still), I was unable to reverse back out of the tiny hole the left rear dug. It was bloody annoying and took about 10 minutes to get out of with the help of people rocking the car back and forth (putting it into N first then rhythmically putting into gear to help the rocking).

I was in part at fault, but I can tell you it didn't look like I was getting myself into a difficult situation, looked innocent.

Then I tried the snowchains on, and I couldn't fit it.

A picture for the ambience.