Snow Chain Clearance?

[Marek K]

Hey... I noticed on the German Audi site that the 8 J x 17 10-spoke rims with 245/45 R17 tires -- which should be part of the U.S. Premium package -- include a notice that "the use of snow chains is not possible for technical reasons."

Same for the 18" 5-spoke wheels which should be on the U.S. Premium-Plus package.

I assume the "technical reasons" are clearance? Cable-type chains are pretty much unknown in Europe; they use by-God link chains that need a lot more clearance.

And all-season tires are also very rare in Europe... these rims for the Germans have summer tires; and Germans pretty much switch to winter tires on often narrower steel rims, where chain clearance isn't a problem.

Anyone know if the reason is indeed clearance? If so, should U.S. cable chains work?

I know, quattro. But if you keep the all-season tires on, it'd be nice to be able to chain up occasionally when you need to...

[ngng]

skip the chains and buy dedicated, studless snow tires!

[klee]

i think it's the low profile tires. there's not enough sidewall.

[Marek K]

skip the chains and buy dedicated, studless snow tires!
I know what you're saying. When I first moved to Upper Bavaria ten years ago, my Bavarian landlord took one look at the all-seasons on my 1997 U.S.-spec Passat and said what roughly translated to, "Boy, you gonna need winter tires around here." So that's what I've had on the car for the past ten years -- ZR-rated summer tires, and HR-rated snow tires on steel rims. Can't argue that that's the best way to go.

But I'm moving to the Washington DC area, where it only snow seriously once or twice a year. (I'm originally from Seattle, so I know how driving up into the Cascades can be!) And the A4 Premium Package will come with all-season tires. Quattro with the all-seasons, and chains for emergencies on ski trips, would be the best balance.


i think it's the low profile tires. there's not enough sidewall.

More absolute sidewall than on my current 205/50's.

But that's what's weird... there's no such warning against using chains with the 8,5J x 19 rims with 255/35R19 tires... unless they figure those are so so wide, that no self-respecting German driver is going to keep those on in the winter...

[UGwagen]

I know what you're saying. When I first moved to Upper Bavaria ten years ago, my Bavarian landlord took one look at the all-seasons on my 1997 U.S.-spec Passat and said what roughly translated to, "Boy, you gonna need winter tires around here." So that's what I've had on the car for the past ten years -- ZR-rated summer tires, and HR-rated snow tires on steel rims. Can't argue that that's the best way to go.

But I'm moving to the Washington DC area, where it only snow seriously once or twice a year. (I'm originally from Seattle, so I know how driving up into the Cascades can be!) And the A4 Premium Package will come with all-season tires. Quattro with the all-seasons, and chains for emergencies on ski trips, would be the best balance.



More absolute sidewall than on my current 205/50's.

But that's what's weird... there's no such warning against using chains with the 8,5J x 19 rims with 255/35R19 tires... unless they figure those are so so wide, that no self-respecting German driver is going to keep those on in the winter...

YOu're probably right about the 19" tires.

205/50r17's will accept chains. THey primary reason is again.. clearance, but no one else mentioned, you need the clearance inside the fender well. 205/50 are narrow enough to accept them without interference inside the fender well and the suspension components.

[VMRWheels]

If you decide to play with chains - be very careful securing it down. I've seen cars with huge gouges inside the control arm, caused by too much slack on the cables. So be sure you know what you are doing :)