JonMBZ

Hello Guys,


I have never gone driving in the snow before I plan on going to big bear to try snowboarding out and I am wondering what chains you guys use. I know that you are suppose to use cable chains, but I didn't find my size on a few sites and I am now wondering if there is a reason and I would like to know the best brands to buy.

Thanks for the help

oh I have stock wheels
255-35-r18

Dingleberry

what gave you the idea to use snow chains? is there a sign at big bear that says "must have chains beyond this point"?

the point is, you dont need snow chains - aside from the fact that they're illegal almost everywhere since they chew up the road, as well as chewing up your tires. most likely they wont even fit on a c55 anyways. chains are also a pain in the *** to put on.

you're better off buying a spare set of cheap wheels with nokian or blizzak winter tires - if you plan on driving through about 10 inches of unplowed snow.

JonMBZ

Not sure I figured it was something you were suppose to do. I remember going to big bear as a kid and getting stuck in snow without chains and we had to go buy them. I don't really want to buy new rims and tires that would cost a lot :\


EDIT: Also I my friend that has a cabin up there told me he forgot his chains a couple weeks ago and he was having a hard time driving....

lkfoster

I wouldn't put chains on a C55, there isn't a lot of room in the wheel well and you'll just beat up the fenders when they come loose, which they will.

You could put M+S tires on the car, but I don't know if anybody makes them in our sizes and Caltrans/CHP won't let you through the roadblocks anyway.

As for alternatives, find another car to take. Just about anything on the road is better than a C55 with summer tires in the snow. I learned that lesson last year about this time when it snowed 18" in Portland.

JonMBZ

I am starting to think that too, the only problem I was hoping to make this my new hobby, but it doesn't seem like a good idea since the car isn't made for this. I called my friend too and he informed me that you need to carry chains because the cops sometimes make you put them on unless you have a 4 wheel drive truck. Have to send back my ski rack and basic carrier for my car now ;(

lkfoster

Actually, yes, there is. Caltrans and the CHP are pretty pissy about driving in anything more than a half inch of snow without chains unless you have AWD or 4WD. They have road blocks where they check before letting you pass.

JonMBZ

lol I just thought of something debadge the AMG and get a 4matic sticker lol 4matic poser

rockjock

I ran my C55 all last winter on winter tires and never had an issue (100 miles a day here in MN)-I'm running my Porsche now and dont have an issue either (no chaines-Porsche makes them-but you have to be going less then 30mph to use them)-I think its either A the wrong car for the environment or B snow tires will get you thru fine (traction, clearance, ect)....

JonMBZ

how much snow did you guys have there rock inches wise also do you guys put tires on the front and back?

rockjock

I always run snows in sets (4)-especially on RWD cars-you need traction, but also steering-people that only do one end (F or R) are asking for HUGE problems....
worst snow-this past week I got 14"s and did fine-at any given time on the road-there was no more then 6 on highways-10+on back roads-C55 and Porsche have donw fine (a little plowing-but thats what you get with a lower car).
Im on Blizzak LM25 now-first time on them-noisy-but good-I ran Yokohama W drive last year and the year before on an Evo X and LOVED them (they dont make a size for a Porsche or I would have them again)-
I have a set of TSW Nogarro Rims with Yoko rubber with about 5k miles on them from the my C55 in my garage if someone is interested....

JonMBZ

sounds good thanks for the info. I think I will take a different car for now and put chains on it if needed. If I end up doing this often I will just buy a set of tires next year and swap them out when I go down there.

RES

Check your manual. I think it says not to use chains Just drove home in the mess we had up here in Portland the other night. I have General UHP and made it better then most with the traction control, transmission in "C" mode and a light foot. I wouldn't do it all the time but I was impressed I made it home. So much for the weather man. And ODOT was a no show on clearing the roads.

JonMBZ

I did read the manual and it says you can use chains on the back wheels, but it also says to use the car with ESP Off

AMGTTV8

dude - what happened to just getting snow tires?

AMGTTV8

Yeah, so that the rear chains can do their work...

With the ESP on, the car will limit your ability to apply constant throttle - with it off, you have full control of the throttle, and the car just modulates the brakes to get you in the direction you want to go.

Zeppelin

Snow tires will do him no good. If chains are required then he needs chains. If they are not required then the roads are clear and his stockers will work.

Dingleberry

no way. snow tires will definitely get you through places where all season tires wouldn't stand a chance...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qGAiOoRzZGk

Zeppelin

Whether they would work or not does not matter. The CHP will not let you through without the chains.

Dingleberry

inference...contradiction...

assuming he is not required to use chains, he would be well advised to use snow tires over stockers

edtv82

i use these Nokians
http://www.nokiantires.com/tyre?id=1...me=Nokian+WRG2

JonMBZ

Just an update. I found a special chain set for small clearances I called one of our vendors actually sold snow chains lol so if you guys need a set let me know the model # is sz-135 I haven't got a chance to use them, but they look like they should work. I will let you know if I do take my trip to big bear ( I hope I do)

http://www.scc-chain.com/Traction%20Pages/Trac_SZ6.html

rockjock

Best of luck with those-but I'm guessing good snow tires and esp off and it would be about the same as AS and those bungee cords.....
Do those qualify as "chains" to the CHP if they in fact do req. it?

JonMBZ

I have never dealt with this before I don't see why not if my car can only fit those. I do want snow tires as well, but I don't have the budget for them right now and these chains were relatively cheap. Next year I will get snow tires as I think they will be safer too since you do not always use the snow chains. I am also hoping these will not scratch my rims :O

RobertG

The cables that you show in the picture work very well in the snow and the cops should allow them since they used them too.
I didnt know that they were available in that size(18").
Make sure that you used them only when there is snow on the ground , when you get to dry patches take them off or they will come off on their own and wrap around things that you dont want (brake lines,driveshaft or emergency barake cable)

Viper98912

Theoretical: C55 + 4matic + snow tires = yum