Re: Tire chains...

[Steve Ensch <laclede@sprintmail.com>]

Tire Chains should only be used if the manufacturer has specified either by
mention in the manual or supplementary documentation.  Contact the manufacturer
directly to make sure.
Chains should be used on the drive wheels.  So in the case of four wheel drive,
the most practical and secure method would be installing chains on all four
wheels.  Chains improve traction so it makes since that both drive and steering
would be aided by improved traction.
In the case of clearance, manufacturer information is the key.  If you have low
clearance then a traction device like the Spikes Spider is an option.  But other
wise "type s" are passenger style tire chains used for vehicles given this
classification by the vehicles documentation provided by the manufacturer.  If
your interested  www.lacledechain.com

Steve

"Buchholz, Steven" wrote:

> The reason that there were clearance issues typically has something to do
> with the fact that the front wheels are also used to steer the car and
> usually mean that there are more parts in harm's way.  AFAIK as long as you
> use the "type S" chains you'll be OK.  I think the only chains that meet
> this requirement are the "cable" chains ... I also recommend getting a set
> of straps to ensure that any slack in the chains is taken up on the outer
> side of the wheel.  You know, I just remembered that some friend of mine
> have these odd traction enhancement devices that attach to the hub of the
> wheel.  They use a plastic spider that goes from there to the outside of the
> tire.  If they were available for Audis I would imagine they'd be about the
> least likely to damage any suspension or steering components.
>
> As long as the tires on your car are rated M+S there is very little chance
> you will be required to install chains ... but you may still be _required_
> to show them to the officials (in California it is the law).  Chains should
> be fitted to the front tires ... since the front wheels are the ones that
> steer and are the wheels where it isn't possible to guarantee that they turn
> when the diffs are locked it makes sense.  I actually installed chains on my
> ur-q once when driving on unplowed roads in the Sierra when I had Gatorbacks
> installed.  Amazingly enough I was still able to drive on that local road
> without chains, but it was a lot easier to steer and stop the car with them.
>
> HTH!
> Steve Buchholz
> San Jose, CA (USA)
>
>         ----------
>         From:  Bernard Littau [SMTP:bernardl@acumenassociates.com]
>         Sent:  Monday, March 15, 1999 12:29 PM
>         To:  quattro group
>         Subject:  Tire chains...
>
>         Hi All,
>
>         What kind of tire chains can one put on a 5kq?  What should one
> watch out
>         for when fitting? (I'm thinking avoid beat-the-strut-to-death if
> that's a
>         problem on the 5kq -- I know some fwd cars had tolerance issues with
> chains)
>
>         How useful are chains in general on a quattro?
>
>         If you fit one pair, if front or rear generally more useful?
>
>         Why am I asking all these questions -- I am heading down to CA from
> WA to
>         pick up a 5kcs (Yeah! I have a quattro!!!) and drive it back to
> Seattle.  My
>         father in law, who lives down there in CA, is insisting on
> purchasing some
>         tire chains for me so I can get over those evil and dreaded
> Siskiyous in
>         Oregon.
>
>         Now both you and I know that the quattro on a 5k is a more
> sophisticated 4x4
>         than the Bronco I have, and the chances of needing chains on this
> trip, or
>         for that matter, any trip, are remote.  Still, I know better than to
> argue
>         with him, so if he wants to buy chains, it easier just to get
> chains.  That
>         being the case, I'll want to get the most useful chains I can get,
> and know
>         as much about chains on a quattro as possible before I use them.
>
>         Thanks,
>
>         Bernard
>         Woodinville, WA
>         Audi -- soon