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 :)

[JeriQo]

i know 90% of posters here have quattros. ill be gettin a quattro next for sure.

but for FWD owners like myself, have you guys tried the autosocks? as of now its a DOT compliant chain alternative.

also quattro owners, please feel free to chime in.

[Lambda13]

i know 90% of posters here have quattros. ill be gettin a quattro next for sure.

but for FWD owners like myself, have you guys tried the autosocks? as of now its a DOT compliant chain alternative.

also quattro owners, please feel free to chime in.

I've never had a problem with traction in my car. 9 feet of snow last year and all.

[JeriQo]

I've never had a problem with traction in my car. 9 feet of snow last year and all.

same here. i kinda need to get chains for emergency or just in case i go to the mountains. (chains required)
i went over the weekend and fortunately, the roads were plowed clean so i was able to breeze through with no problems.

[Lambda13]

same here. i kinda need to get chains for emergency or just in case i go to the mountains. (chains required)
i went over the weekend and fortunately, the roads were plowed clean so i was able to breeze through with no problems.

If you're going to the mountains where you need chains, might I suggest an extra vehicle that's made for that? lol

[JeriQo]

fine. ill get an r8 next week lmao

[Lambda13]

fine. ill get an r8 next week lmao

Sound logic. I'll get a Aventador, I hear they are fantastic in the snow lol

I mean for cheap money you could get an older Tahoe/Durango/etc then sell it come spring. @Project Quattro did that a few times.

[JeriQo]

Sound logic. I'll get a Aventador, I hear they are fantastic in the snow lol

I mean for cheap money you could get an older Tahoe/Durango/etc then sell it come spring. @Project Quattro did that a few times.

the tire chains fits my budget better haha

[Lambda13]

the tire chains fits my budget better haha

Dedicated winter setup!

[JeriQo]

Dedicated winter setup!

heres your setup!

i dont think i can even afford the roof rack on these

[Lambda13]

heres your setup!

i dont think i can even afford the roof rack on these

Sorry, I need to go change. BRB.

[WAF]

Dedicated snow tires are the way too go for sure, lot's of potential damage to your car if something goes wrong or a faulty install. If your really worried throw some studs in the winters also.

[JeriQo]

Dedicated snow tires are the way too go for sure, lot's of potential damage to your car if something goes wrong or a faulty install. If your really worried throw some studs in the winters also.

winter tires arent worth it for me since im never at the pass.
and it barely snows in the city.

[Shimmy]

j what about getting just front snow tires

[jfo]

winter tires arent worth it for me since im never at the pass.
and it barely snows in the city.

I assume you are using all-season? Keep in mind it's not so much about the snow, but the temperature. Summer and all season tires simply don't match winter or all weather tires for grip in variable, cold temperatures and road conditions. The rubber compounds are a compromise and start to decrease in performance significantly, below 7C(45F) They will also not perform well on icy roads. You may be fine coasting around the city when the weather isn't too bad. I would never drive in the mountains in winter on all season, but I live here. If you want to roll the dice for the odd trip it's of course up to you. You don't want to hit a batch of black ice on a curve on a cold day or night though! This also applies to the city, and depends on where you live, how you drive, etc. If you want a safe alternative, take a look at Nokian all weather tires(not all season) They are winter rated and perform well in summer.

[skis4hire]

I assume you are using all-season? Keep in mind it's not so much about the snow, but the temperature. Summer and all season tires simply don't match winter or all weather tires for grip in variable, cold temperatures and road conditions. The rubber compounds are a compromise and start to decrease in performance significantly, below 7C(45F) They will also not perform well on icy roads. You may be fine coasting around the city when the weather isn't too bad. I would never drive in the mountains in winter on all season, but I live here. If you want to roll the dice for the odd trip it's of course up to you. You don't want to hit a batch of black ice on a curve on a cold day or night though! This also applies to the city, and depends on where you live, how you drive, etc. If you want a safe alternative, take a look at Nokian all weather tires(not all season) They are winter rated and perform well in summer.

Seconded. Winter tires improve your braking distance/handling and there is a whole genre now that cater to wet-road driving.
Plus you get the benefit of running summer tires in the warm months which are vastly more fun and again improve braking distance/handling vs all seasons.

[WAF]

winter tires arent worth it for me since im never at the pass.
and it barely snows in the city.

Don't listen to the Canadians they don't drive on snow...... Not sure what to say if winter tires are too much, perhaps other choices should have been.

[JeriQo]

Seconded. Winter tires improve your braking distance/handling and there is a whole genre now that cater to wet-road driving.
Plus you get the benefit of running summer tires in the warm months which are vastly more fun and again improve braking distance/handling vs all seasons.

i have pirelli p6s right now and im definitely leaning towards the nokian all weathers when i replace the tires. im currently @ 12k miles

[treginginco]

skip the chains and buy dedicated, studless snow tires!

That's all you need!

[slacktide]

That's all you need!

Except when the state patrol closes the interstate to all vehicles which are not carrying chains, as they occasionally do around here. Then you are effed.

[JeriQo]

Except when the state patrol closes the interstate to all vehicles which are not carrying chains, as they occasionally do around here. Then you are effed.

i just ordered the autosock 685. at least those wont scrape my wheels and best of all, DOT approved in WA.
thats pretty much what i need it for --- if the mountains require chains.