Talk to me about snow chains...on 16" wheels.

[george graves]

Never drove with them. Install looks no fun to do - but not too difficult.

My question is do I need anything special? for 225/45-16 on a lowered (not slammed) car? Is it something I can get at walmart? Or do I need to get something special?

[Vivek]

Do you ABSOLUTELY have to? If not, don't do it. Chains can rip and scratch the hell out of your car (happened once, luckily it just hit the fender liner and didn't mess anything up seriously), and they can dig into your tires and make grooves on the sidewalls really badly (also happened on my moms car). Maybe we just had cheap chains...but I would never put them on my e30. Steelies with snow tires should be as cheap as some good chains.

[SacE30]

This^

Just get snow tires. When i bought my e30, the guy lived in Tahoe and there was snow tires on it.

[george graves]

Driving home christmas eve. Snow tires aren't an option. Question still stands.

[StereoInstaller1]

Cable type, for sure. Harder to put on, but much quieter. Use zip ties to secure the loose ends of the cable, take no chances on it...a cable whipping around sucks.

GL on the drive

Luke

[Jaxx_]

forget snow chains and snow tires, the real solution is to buy a flying e30.

[dude8383]

[AndrewBird]

What kind of snow are you driving in? I've NEVER needed to put chains on and I've driven in near whiteouts. Chains for me are only for when I end up off the road and need to get out (which has never happened).

I would worry about your fender lips. Cables add probably 1/4-1/2" and chains add at least 1/2".

Honestly, unless you are driving in more then 6" of unpacked snow, snow tires and careful driving will be more then enough.

[george graves]

Most like not. But I do have to go through the Siskiyou summit - and they've been know to close that section of I-5 down except for people with 4x4 or chains for a day or so if it's really coming down and the snow plows can't keep up.

I'll look at cables. Thanks! - that's kinda the info I was looking for. And thanks for the ruff idea of the clearance Nitro. That's good know know.

Oh, did I mention I'm on Falken FK-452 225/45-16(I think that's the model) Summer only tire. I couldn't get out of a drive way when there was an inch of packed snow. Ideally I'd keep a set of snow tires around, but not really on the top of my list for a twice a year in-the-snow trip.

[AndrewBird]

Oh, did I mention I'm on Falken FK-452 225/45-16(I think that's the model) Summer only tire. I couldn't get out of a drive way when there was an inch of packed snow. Ideally I'd keep a set of snow tires around, but not really on the top of my list for a twice a year in-the-snow trip.

Yeah, that makes a little more sense. Have no traction is a bit different then have less traction. lol