[Vwdiesel] winter adventure

[Roger Brown]

Growing up in Washington, I never remember seeing any "chains required" type signs, seems 
they they were only "chains or snow tires recommended" type signs.

I think a lot of the time in California, CalTrans will leave the chain signs up longer 
than required.  They make use of all the chained wheels to chew up the compact snow on the 
pavement so that when the clouds clear, the roads will melt clear faster.  I've been in 
the 4WD numerous times with chain controls up and was mostly unable to shift into 4WD 
because of all the bare pavement.  But at least I did not have to grind along with chains 
on like all the 2WDs did.  Just kept a hand on the transfer case shifter and popped it 
into 4WD in the shaded corners where it was a little slick.

But yes, I usually prefer just some good all season or winter tires and drive w/o chains. 
  I used to have a set of 145-R13 Kleber snow tires and those things were awesome on the 
VW.  Unless you jammed on the brakes or did something stupid, they just hooked up like 
crazy.  I remember one Sierra ski trip with those and the road looked clear but it did 
feel a little slippery.  We stopped for a break and the pavement was just a sheet of black 
ice.  I almost fell down stepping out of the vehicle it was so slippery.  Finally had to 
throw the tires away when the rubber cracked and moisture got in and rusted the steel belts.


On 1/9/2013 2:34 PM, Tad wrote:
> Agree about chains on the front of the VW and about seemingly arbitrary chain requirements.
>
> Fortunately they don't seem to do any enforcement around here, so I just use my judgement
> and ignore the signs.  on a couple occasions I've put my chains on, only to find that the
> road is basically bare pavement and they apparently hadn't gotten around to changing the
> signs. :(
>
> I've found that my Golf with all-season tires does just fine as long as the road is
> decently sanded.  The only time it gets dicey is on glare ice or when the snow is coming
> down so fast that the sand gets buried.




-- 

   Roger