Driving in the snow can be a lot of fun, except when you are not prepared or well equipped. Our discussion this week will include recommendations for driving in the snow , rules and laws as well as equipment suggestions. In addition to all of these things there is something that is more important than anything else - common sense. Mistakes in the snow can be dangerous
While part of the net will involve a discussion of laws in California, a review of laws in other states can be found here:
http://www.4x4abc.com/ML320/ml_chainsss.html .
California Chain Recommendations
- Caltrans Chain Recommendations.jpg (55.41 KiB) Viewed 1232 times
- Caltrans Chain Recommendations 1.jpg (48.57 KiB) Viewed 1230 times
California Chain Requirement Levels
During the winter months, motorists may encounter traction chain controls in the mountain areas within California. When chain controls are established, signs will be posted along the road indicating the type of requirement. There are three requirements in California.
Requirement One (R1): Chains, traction devices or snow tires are required on the drive axle of all vehicles except four wheel/ all wheel drive vehicles.
Requirement Two (R2): Chains or traction devices are required on all vehicles except four wheel/ all wheel drive vehicles with snow-tread tires on all four wheels.
(NOTE: Four wheel/all wheel drive vehicles must carry traction devices in chain control areas.)
Requirement Three (R3): Chains or traction devices are required on all vehicles, no exceptions.
What are Snow Tires
California law
Snow-tread Tires:
The California vehicle code section 558 defines a snow-tread tire as follows, " A 'Snow-tread tire' is a tire which has a relatively deep and aggressive tread pattern compared with conventional passenger tread pattern". Snow-tread tires can be identified by examining the sidewall of the tire where the letters MS, M/S, M+S or the words MUD AND SNOW have been stamped into the sidewall.
Without including studded tires, there are two types of snow tire designations, M/S and the Three Peak Mountain Snow Flake. The Three Peak Mountain designation is a more recent snow tire rating and indicates a more capable snow tire (on the tire image below, it is the designation on the left). Both designations are molded into the tire sidewall.
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Special Chain Applications
Many of the newer cars today have very tight clearances around the tires and manufacturers do not recommend the use of (regular) chains. Tire chain companies have risen to the task and have developed chains that are meant to fit such vehicles. SAE guidelines have also been developed to indicate which type of chain is appropriate for a given clearance dimension. For purposes of illustration only, I have sleected one manufacturer to demonstrate the types of chains that are currently being offered that can be used in such vehicles. The product is called "Z-Chain" and is manufactured by the SSC company. This is the description from their website (
http://www.scc-chain.com/tire-chain-fin ... s/z-chain/)
Z-Chain has always met S.A.E. Class “S” requirements for passenger vehicles with limited clearance around the drive tires. Now the inner cross member connectors and side cable fastening system have been redesigned to operate in even smaller spaces!
Here is an example of these chains. Before purchasing any chain, you should check with your owners manual.
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Heavy Duty Chains
If you are looking for some heavy duty strong snow chains, look into the pewag website,
http://www.pewagchain.com/Products/Traction-Chains.aspx . Since most four-wheelers run tires much larger than stock, finding chains can be challenging. Pewag offers chains in a huge variety of sizes.
