Quattro and Snow Chains?

[nealRlett]

Yeah I said it. I know. Well, I live in L.A. and we see snow .01% of the year, so buying a set of snow tires and wheels just does not seem cost effective at this time. Every Xmas/NYE I head up to Lake Tahoe, which is why I got the S4. Sooner or later, I will eventually purchase a set of snow tires/wheels because the thought of putting chains on the S4 seems silly. However, I want to be safe, so if they stay in the trunk that is fine by me. Last year they hardly got snow, so the roads were completely clear. No problems at all. I actually found myself looking for snow to drive in. This year will probably be the same, but I just want to be safe. Does anyone have any experience with chains/cables on their AWD Audi's? If so what type/brand do you run?

thanks-

[aaaudiprotein]

my personal opinion is NO.
Unless u gonna be driving thru Antarctica.

[Jibberific]

The manual says never to use chains, well at least the b5 manual does. but the 395 often has some serious chain restrictions in winter.... i want to go to mammoth this year and there is no way in hell i am putting chains on since i am so low. i know i can make it just fine with quattro and all season tires but i am worried about cops and checkpoints and stuff.

[aaaudiprotein]

I guess the main reason why Manual says NO to the chains is cause u can easily brake your differentials.

[SoCalS4Avant]

Chains = NO. Protein and Jib have got it right.

How new are your tires? Are they summer or A/S?

And you can "CARRY" chains...even if you don't use them. That'll get you past most check points. Besides, if you ever spun out and needed to be pulled out, the CHP would only ticket you if you didn't have chains. So buy a set, even if they don't fit.

[nealRlett]

The reason I am confused is because at the Audi/Porsche dealership I was reading a Porsche accessories catalog for some reason and it offered snow chains/cable set-up. It stated if mounted on all four tires it could be used for AWD systems. I found this to be very odd.

-Running A/S with some good tread left but just want to be safe-Like I said, did not have any problems last year. Just paranoid this year I guess.

[Ill 3.0]

I can't imagine snow tires being a problem. There are always studded tires, but they're pretty noisy and some states have restrictions about using them. I drove a few cars with them a bit when I lived in Maine, but not really necessary.

[SoCalS4Avant]

I think if a vehicle is AWD you HAVE to use cables instead of chains, or so I remember reading/hearing. That being said, the manual does say not to use chains (maybe they mean chain chains, not cable chains?).

If you've got A/S and decent tread, you should be good. Like I said, just buy some cheap chains to carry when you get to the check. You'll be good.

You may want to go up I-5 or 99 to HWY50 instead of up the back way by 395. You'll hit less snow (IF there is snow). Just a thought. Where are you staying? What resort are you hitting up?

[ieatfishburitos]

Chains are illegal in Illinois.

Thanks for that nugget. That really helps out he OP...

[nealRlett]

You may want to go up I-5 or 99 to HWY50 instead of up the back way by 395. You'll hit less snow (IF there is snow). Just a thought. Where are you staying? What resort are you hitting up?

Thanks for all your input - yeah, I am still researching the whole cable idea. Figured chains could really mess things up. We are staying in Tahoe Keys in the Cabin we rent every year. Hitting up Bear Valley first, then heading into Tahoe after Xmas. The 50 during Xmas and especially New Years is always clear, or at least they are always plowing. They have to build the economy somehow!

[pinkslip]

I found a piece of string once.

Okay, but for my actual, worthless contribution to this thread:
I thought I heard on the news last season that the highway patrol up there were putting up check points in lighter snowfall, instructing drivers of 2WD cars to chain up and allowing AWD cars/trucks to drive on, tire condition permitting. So if you're expecting light snowfall anyways, you might be alright with SoCalS' suggestion.

[SoCalS4Avant]

Thanks for all your input - yeah, I am still researching the whole cable idea. Figured chains could really mess things up. We are staying in Tahoe Keys in the Cabin we rent every year. Hitting up Bear Valley first, then heading into Tahoe after Xmas. The 50 during Xmas and especially New Years is always clear, or at least they are always plowing. They have to build the economy somehow!

I grew up in Tahoe, so I know it very well. I lived only a minute from Heavenly - although I didn't ski there much. Too damn expensive, and they don't even hook up locals.

You're right that they'll try as hard as they f-ing can to keep 50 free and clear of any controls. They need it during a suffering economy.

Let me know when you're going to hit up Bear. We'll do an Audizine ski/board meet! I actually have a pass at Snow Valley. Less mountain, but closer and less money. They're actually open now on weekends. Supposed to snow a bit there this next week. AWWW YEAH!

[nealRlett]

I grew up in Tahoe, so I know it very well. I lived only a minute from Heavenly - although I didn't ski there much. Too damn expensive, and they don't even hook up locals.

You're right that they'll try as hard as they f-ing can to keep 50 free and clear of any controls. They need it during a suffering economy.

Let me know when you're going to hit up Bear. We'll do an Audizine ski/board meet! I actually have a pass at Snow Valley. Less mountain, but closer and less money. They're actually open now on weekends. Supposed to snow a bit there this next week. AWWW YEAH!

I grew up in Palo Alto/ San Jose. I was in Tahoe every Xmas and New Years. Since I was 16 I was there almost every weekend in the winter. Had Friends in Meyers. Great place to be in the Winter. Love Heavenly, but rode at Sierra most of the time. Even when it was called Sierra Ski Ranch back in the day. Yeah, will be at Snow Valley that Monday before Xmas, White Pines Audizine drink night?

[channad]

dude, buy some freaking snow tires and be done with it. I live in LA, and going up to Mammoth in about 2 hours!

I didn't buy wheels yet. Just tires. I have the tires swapped every winter and spring. It does take some time...I will buy 19s for summer, and use the stockers as winters. Just haven't gotten around to it.

Snow tires + Quattro = amazing!!!

I wouldn't want to put chains/cables on my car.

I have Dunlop Wintersport 3Ds, they are dope!

[nealRlett]

dude, buy some freaking snow tires and be done with it. I live in LA, and going up to Mammoth in about 2 hours!

I didn't buy wheels yet. Just tires. I have the tires swapped every winter and spring. It does take some time...I will buy 19s for summer, and use the stockers as winters. Just haven't gotten around to it.

Snow tires + Quattro = amazing!!!

I wouldn't want to put chains/cables on my car.

I have Dunlop Wintersport 3Ds, they are dope!

I know, I know, I am glad you chimed in. Familiar with your Mammoth trips. Especially on Day 2 of owning the car! I just can not drop the cash for tires right now. And knowing my luck, if I did the roads would be completely clear. I will be soon be getting a winter set, just not right now.

[joeycuccaro]

no to chains ! :)

[SoCalS4Avant]

I grew up in Palo Alto/ San Jose. I was in Tahoe every Xmas and New Years. Since I was 16 I was there almost every weekend in the winter. Had Friends in Meyers. Great place to be in the Winter. Love Heavenly, but rode at Sierra most of the time. Even when it was called Sierra Ski Ranch back in the day. Yeah, will be at Snow Valley that Monday before Xmas, White Pines Audizine drink night?

Yeah, I loved Sierra back in those days...I used to get my full-season passes for $150. Then they changed owners and the prices skyrocketed. Oh well, such is life in that sport. Nothing's cheap.

I grew up in Meyers - when to Meyers Elementary School. Then we moved to the other house closer to Heavenly in 6th grade. Distances don't mean crap in Tahoe really. It's a small town.

I won't be around that Monday - but I'll be up there the whole weekend before. 19/20/21.

[ieatfishburitos]

For the slow aka Mr. Burrito. Rep for you.
Chains are illegal in a lot of states.

Again, that has nothing to do with the thread.. Thanks for the bad rep for the pussiest reason I've ever seen. I returned the favor.

[poopypants]

I know, I know, I am glad you chimed in. Familiar with your Mammoth trips. Especially on Day 2 of owning the car! I just can not drop the cash for tires right now. And knowing my luck, if I did the roads would be completely clear. I will be soon be getting a winter set, just not right now.

Snow tires are not an absolute necessity for us as for the 2WD folks, FWD or RWD. I know for a fact it comes down to your driving skills. Since you already have A/S tires, you'll be fine whether its light or medium snow. But ice is ice, so be aware of that and no tire will get you through. I've been up to Mammoth and Mountain High, (especially Mountain High at around the beginning of this rear when there was heavy snow) in my stock, cheap A/Ss and my car got around just fine. Just drive slow to get use to the feeling and you'll be fine in no time. I actually have a vid somewhere of me doing figure eights in the North Resort parking lot at MT High and snow tires or not, AWD will bite (Snow tires obviously perform better at higher speeds than A/S since they release the snow from their treads a lot more effeciently). I can't say the same for summer tires, but the A/Ss work just fine. Plus, the roads don't get as cold out here in Socal as they do in the East Coast. On a side note, have you ever heard of Socaleuro.com?

[ieatfishburitos]

Explain how it has nothing to do with the thread.
The OP is thinking about getting Chains and I said they are illegal in a lot of states.
Yup, makes sense to me.

Let's see... He lives in LA which happens to be in CA, every year he heads up to Tahoe, which also happens to be in CA. He wants to know about chains for his time in Tahoe where they are required on certain roads. Thus he is not traveling through various random states with chains on, only CA.

*Reading skills: I highly recommend you read threads before posting, and especially before handing out bad rep when you are confused.*

[ieatfishburitos]

So they're legal in certain areas of the state and illegal in others.
Which makes my point valid and you still confused and ignorant.
The negative rep fits the negative post. Deal with it.

Sorry Bro... I hate to tell you Illinois is not between LA and Tahoe...

[Audi05s4]

its called quattro for a reason

[norsecarnut]

buying a set of snow tires and wheels just does not seem cost effective at this time.

For half of the year I'm using the Nokian WRG2, very aggressive asym tire pattern but with excellent snow rating, crazy siping, and compound while also being ok in warm temps. Pretty cool technology. $264 each, Discount Tire matched Tires by Web's price. Check out Nokian tires website. 235/40x18 is the size I'm using on the stock S4 rims.

I'll basically use these until going to a track event next year.

[ieatfishburitos]

MOFSTEEL: You have officially become the biggest douche I've ever ran into on these boards. You argue endlessly when you haven't even read the thread, hand out bad rep when you are off target and confused, and finally the greatest move of them all - delete all of your posts after you realize you are wrong... Look ^ much? Where did all your posts go?

[Types Cnversion]

the only time i had problem without snow chains is when i hit black ice thats the worste cuz u dont know how long the patch is till u hit the road again,but i took a ride all the way up Mt. Wilson once when it was snowing like a mother ******, did donuts too that was daa shiitt.

[CanuckRS]

buy dunlop wintersport 3d and be done with it. that's all you'll need unless you plan to race snowmobiles.

[nealRlett]

Dunlop Wintersport 3ds on order. I love the way this thread turned out though I must say. thanks for all the input-

[c4racer]

I ordered a set of Pirelli Snowsport 240's as soon as I got the S4 last winter. I used them in some absolute blizzard-like storms - rememeber the storms that dumped like 4-5 feet in a couple days last Jan? I was in Tahoe. The quattro + snow tires was simply amazing - I have had many 4WD trucks with AT tires and this Audi was head and shoulders better than any of them. Well - except when it comes to ground clearance - you have to be a lot more careful about picking your path and avoiding snow plow curbs. I would never travel to the snow country in winter on summer tires - that is looking for trouble IMHO. With A/S you should be OK as long as you stay on main plowed roads and be extra careful. But snow tires give you tons more margin - they almost have the same grip as normal tires in the rain - it's almost scary.

[gjc]

Really? This thread bores me. You all live in Cali and have no idea what you're talking about when it comes to snow, winter, etc. Buy some AS or snow tires and be done with it.

[SoCalS4Avant]

^ That's got to be the most ignorant comment I've read. Do some research on the amount of snow that a place like Lake Tahoe, CALIFORNIA gets annually. You want snowfall? How about Kirkwood Ski Resort - southwest of Tahoe - AVERAGES 600 inches of snow annually. You sir are an idiot.

[gjc]

Tahoe aside, listening to you SoCal ppl talk about snow is just painful. Why do you even own quattro's down there?

[poopypants]

Tahoe aside, listening to you SoCal ppl talk about snow is just painful. Why do you even own quattro's down there?

wow, one ignorant post after another. Quattro was not made just for the snow you know. But i will agree that majority of Audi owners out there whether its in California or anyother state, don't fully understand the Quattro system nor really need it. Its like the bros out here in SoCal. They got raised trucks with huge tires but never seen any dirt or mud. BTW, i can care less how much snow you get up in Boston. Why don't you read the entire thread before posting up ignorant $hit.

[SoCalS4Avant]

I'm with my buddy poopypants - one ignorant post after another.

Here's a pic of Big Bear (Southern California)...damn, it snows there too?



Oh that's mountains? Here's a little lower elevation...Lake Arrowhead.



Too high still? Here's right outside of LA.



Snow, rain, stupid idiot drivers...quattro helps with everything.

[nealRlett]

^^ My thoughts exactly. SoCalS4Avant pretty much ended this. Great pics-

[gjc]

^^ My thoughts exactly. SoCalS4Avant pretty much ended this. Great pics-

Ended what? You guys live in SoCal?! Buy some AS tires for when you decide to leave the beach.

[ieatfishburitos]

FYI... chains are illegal in Illinois.

[SoCalS4Avant]

FYI... chains are illegal in Illinois.

I love it! That was hilarious.

[B6JoeS4]

tirerack has blizzak lm-25 on closeout right now. just ordered mine a few days ago and they allready came yestrday. found an unplowed parking lot and i have to say, the diference is amazing. i was actually able to stop and go wihout the traction control freaking out

[nealRlett]

Ended what? You guys live in SoCal?! Buy some AS tires for when you decide to leave the beach.

wow. Read the thread. Already have A/S. Need a set for winters in Tahoe. Yes, it snows in CA!!!! I know that is a surprise to you-

[poopypants]

suppose to get good snowfall this weekend. My car is in the dealership for damaged engine internals? :( i guess no fun for me... seems like im bumming off a ride with my roommate on his B5 S4.