Chet's Topic Discussions
1 Snow driving must-haves.
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2 Pack your vehicle accordingly.
The basics include:
- air jack and tire chains, if you have them.
- Brightly colored equipment is really useful in a snowy environment.
- An ice scraper/window brush and
- recovery equipment are a must, also.
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You’ll want some communications equipment, as well.
- Pack ham radio gear if you have it. If not, consider getting licensed. The exam isn’t that difficult and gear is reasonably priced.
- If you don’t care to go that route, look into a satellite phone.
- Cell phones rarely work in the outback, so don’t count on one.
3. 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
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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.
