Tire questions.

[MisterPo]

Hello All.

I had a question regarding tire\snow chains. The owners manual states that tire chains are not recommended. Has anyone used tire chains or cables successfully? Or would you not recommend this at all. I am asking just in case I go to an area where it snows (the mountains).

Also, does anyone run two different sets of tires. Like one set specifically for the front and one set specifically for the back? Or is this just ridiculous?

Thanks!

[MisterPo]

Anyone?

[otter]

I just wouldn't recommend it. There's not a whole lot of clearance between the tire and the fender, especially the rear fender. IMO, the car does fine with just snow tires up until the snow is deep enough for the car to bottom out. And at that point, chains aren't going to help much.

On a FWD car, you want to run 4 matching tires. If you want to run snow tires, you need them at all 4 corners.

[MisterPo]

Okay. Thanks Otter.

I just thought tire chains/cables would be a good alternative because I rarely go to the snow. Guess I gotta wait until the snow clears up to drive in the mountains.

[Neal@tirerack.]

I wouldn't recommend chains either. The soft compound of a snow tire combined with minimal clearance in the wheel well smells like trouble. As for mixing types of tires look here