Snow chain tire car question.. lol

[Eli]

Ok..

My brother's girlfriend went to two places, and they said they couldn't put chains on her car because it is too low. WTF?

Chains usually hug the tire pretty well, right? It's not like the car is THAT low, the tires don't like rub the wheel wells or anything.... lol

Can anyone think of what they're talkinga bout? We're tempted to just go buy some and put them on ourselves..

 

You know Eli, the tires/rims move up and down.

 

[MikeMike]

Originally posted by: Roger
You know Eli, the tires/rims move up and down.

^^^ mans a fvckin genious.

is that what shocks do?? lol. never could figure out why my ride was smoother than it should be.

we're just messin with ya now eli.

MIKE

 

[Eli]

Originally posted by: Roger
You know Eli, the tires/rims move up and down.

Well, yeah.. ?

It's not like you're traveling fast when its snowy anyway, hitting the bumps....

Regardless... If that's the issue, then I guess it just depends on how low the car is, and if the chains will hit the wheel wells when the tires travel?

Maybe to an extent, the chains? Maybe some of the cable kind would be suitable, since it seems like they're low profile?

You'll have to bear with me, we never get this kind of snow here.

 

You must have a minimum clearance of 1 inch at full suspension travel between the inner fender and the chain(s), otherwise the chains will come into contact with the fender well and cause serious damage and loss of vehicle control.
(Remember that the chains whip and increase in diameter as the wheels speed up)

 

[lowtech1]

Originally posted by: Eli
Ok..

My brother's girlfriend went to two places, and they said they couldn't put chains on her car because it is too low. WTF?

Chains usually hug the tire pretty well, right? It's not like the car is THAT low, the tires don't like rub the wheel wells or anything.... lol

Can anyone think of what they're talkinga bout? We're tempted to just go buy some and put them on ourselves..

You are right that chains are design to hug the tire wall. It sound like there is no chain that is design for your tires, and the chains will damage your tires if they try to mickey mouse it with a set that weren't design to the tire specs.

The best bet is to purchase a set of snow tires on rims if you have specialize tires.

 

[KingNothing]

How much snow are we talking about?

 

[MercenaryForHire]

I've never used snow chains, and I'm Canadian.

Get some Alpens and a winter driving course or three. If you still can't get around properly, then the snow's too deep to be driving in.

- M4H

 

[bleeb]

you have to also remember that as the tires spin, the centrifucal force also pulls the chains/cables away from the surface of the tire. unless you drive at or below the 30 mph speed limit w/ chains. However, most people do not do this. My suggestion is to get studded tires, and then you can hit the icy roads like a champ.

 

[Eli]

Originally posted by: lowtech

Originally posted by: Eli
Ok..

My brother's girlfriend went to two places, and they said they couldn't put chains on her car because it is too low. WTF?

Chains usually hug the tire pretty well, right? It's not like the car is THAT low, the tires don't like rub the wheel wells or anything.... lol

Can anyone think of what they're talkinga bout? We're tempted to just go buy some and put them on ourselves..

You are right that chains are design to hug the tire wall. It sound like there is no chain that is design for your tires, and the chains will damage your tires if they try to mickey mouse it with a set that weren't design to the tire specs.

The best bet is to purchase a set of snow tires on rims if you have specialize tires.

Hmm.. It seems like they would've told her that, if that was the problem.

My brother is thinking that it was just some policy, that they don't install chains on lowered cars or something.

Assuming we could find chains that fit, I think we would just put them on ourselves.. and go real slow at first to see if there are any interference problems, lol.

Anywhere from 0 - 8" of snow and ice. It's windy.

 

[WinkOsmosis]

Tires probably go up behind the sheetmetal. Chains would extend past the width of the tires and hit the fender.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Also, there's generally less fender clearance when you're turning with some cars' front tires. All it takes is an interferance problem one time for the wheel wells to get really buggered up.

I'd go with a set of studded Blizzaks. Studs do as well as chains and you'll get better snow traction from the blizzaks' tread pattern since chains and studs really only help in ice, not snow.

ZV

 

[TechnoKid]

If it's not too low, maybe cables would be better. They don't have as much traction as chains do, but offer better clearence. Or, you can do what others suggested and get some snow tires.

I got ShureGrip Z cables (from SCC), work great, and are easy to put on. They even come with tensioners.

How low is the car and what kind is it?

 

[Eli]

Originally posted by: TechnoKid
If it's not too low, maybe cables would be better. They don't have as much traction as chains do, but offer better clearence. Or, you can do what others suggested and get some snow tires.

I got ShureGrip Z cables (from SCC), work great, and are easy to put on. They even come with tensioners.

How low is the car and what kind is it?

I'm not really sure how low it is. It's an '88 Prelude.

 

[TechnoKid]

Originally posted by: Eli

Originally posted by: TechnoKid
If it's not too low, maybe cables would be better. They don't have as much traction as chains do, but offer better clearence. Or, you can do what others suggested and get some snow tires.

I got ShureGrip Z cables (from SCC), work great, and are easy to put on. They even come with tensioners.

How low is the car and what kind is it?

I'm not really sure how low it is. It's an '88 Prelude.

And what sized rims? Hmm..mayabe with stock tires and rims, cables might be doable, if it is lowered less than 1.3" I don't think the '88 ludes were low to begin with, so a 1.3" drop could be comparable to spring sag.

Skinny tires are supposed to be better in snow, from what I read.

 

[Eli]

Originally posted by: TechnoKid

Originally posted by: Eli

Originally posted by: TechnoKid
If it's not too low, maybe cables would be better. They don't have as much traction as chains do, but offer better clearence. Or, you can do what others suggested and get some snow tires.

I got ShureGrip Z cables (from SCC), work great, and are easy to put on. They even come with tensioners.

How low is the car and what kind is it?

I'm not really sure how low it is. It's an '88 Prelude.

And what sized rims? Hmm..mayabe with stock tires and rims, cables might be doable, if it is lowered less than 1.3" I don't think the '88 ludes were low to begin with, so a 1.3" drop could be comparable to spring sag.

Skinny tires are supposed to be better in snow, from what I read.

They're 15"...

Dunno.