Re: Tire chains on AWD - a no-no?

[marriott@Summa4.COM]

Greetings (especially of the seasonal variety),

> No-no it's not a no-no.

> My A4 manual states (p. 132):
> 
>     -Snow chains will improve braking ability as well as traction in 
winter
>  
>      conditions.
>     -Where snow chains are compulsory on certain roads, this also applies 
>      to cars with four-wheel drive.
>     -The snow chains must only be fitted on the front wheels - this also
>      applies to cars with four-wheel drive.

The better to have _mightily_ uncontrollable oversteer when going down an 
icy hill (forwards of course, at least in the beginning...)? Would one 
drive in the rain with Aquatreds (not an endorsement, just an example) on 
the front and slicks on the rear? I always ensure my vehicle will remain 
stable under braking, hence the better tires are on the _rear_, even on the 
fwd 4ks.

If I still lived in the California Sierra (100+++ inches of wet heavy snow 
each year, salt use prohibited) and had to "chain up" a 4wd/awd, first I 
would stick them on the rear, and then, if necessary, the front. In these 
situations when chains are "required" (ie, by the law), studs, Hakkas, 
prayer, or whatever won't generally help. Best results come from chains 
with ice-cutter bars. The ride is atrocious and you can only go about 15 
mph, but at least you're going . . .

No one uses chains here in NH. The state uses something like one million 
tons of salt per winter (it's 9100 sq miles, 24000 sq km). What do the 
folks in CO, NM, MT, NZ, Bayern, etc. do in the deep?

cu
James


James Marriott, BSME
work:  Manchester, NH, USA  marriott@Summa4.COM (603)625-4050 x 2539
home:  Auburn, NH, USA      marriott@grolen.com (603)483-8587

'64 Falcon Sprint Convertible--balanced & blueprinted 260 V-8
    GOES great. Stopping? 217k
'86 4000S        the better half's commuter (heated seats), 100k+
'87 4000CSQ      H-stock auto-x und daily driver, Kanc-1 veteran, 138k