Snow Chains

[daviesd]

Hi guys

Due to go skiing at beginning of March and as one of the drivers has just pulled out, it looks like I will be taking the RS4.

Did anyone ever get a definitive answer on wether we can fit chains to our 19" rims or not?! I've searched the forums and it doesn't look too good to be honest.

When I took the BMW 3 away last time we used snow socks to enter Flaine and they worked brilliantly - do they make any to fit the RS ?

cheers

David

[DoctorD]

David, you're asking the same question that I have on my mind just now.

I asked this question a few months ago and decided it was too much aggro, so I just took my ML63 instead. Now I've sold our ML63 as we wait for its replacement to arrive, therefore I've got to find a way of taking the RS4.

I was having a look at the Maggi Trak chains, and was planning on making a few calls this morning to find out more. I've used Spikes Spiders before on my SUVs, but I know those would not fit the RS4. http://www.maggigroup.com/Files/06_Trak.htm

The other alternative is snow socks. We used a pair on our Mini Cooper S a few years ago and they worked brilliantly. It's possible to buy Snow Socks and WeissSock to fit the RS4 ( http://www.snowchains.co.uk/main/weisssock.htm ), and I'm thinking of these.

I was also looking at buying a set of winter tyres (235/40x19), but I probably will only have my RS4 for another few months it seems a waste and a lot of hassle to buy/fit new tyres. Even so, as far as the regs are concerned I would still need to drive with chains in the car...

To be legal you need to fit snow chains where metal is between the tyre and snow, but I'm going to a quiet resort which is a few Kms off the main road. The main road is always gritted and cleared, so for the sake of around 8km there and back I am wondering if Le Fuzz are likely to be a problem, especially if we arrive at night time.

Let's keep this thread updated on whatever we choose to do.

[SR71]

I did the same as DoctorD in the end and used the A3 with Spikes Spider chains...

I never got a chance to see if the chains would actually go on the RS4 but presumed that DoctorD had tried so it wasn't worth the hassle.

I have to say that whilst the idea of taking the RS4 to the Alps greatly appeals, bearing in mind what a thrashing the car takes in the typical conditions you find on the roads when there is snow about, I wasn't too disappointed to be in the A3...except that it isn't quattro.

In the end though....as usual...I never had to use the chains.

[daviesd]

I'm off to Morzine this year which is quite low I think so hopefully the roads will be clear. What size our the wheels on our cars, I though they were 255x35x19 in which case I can't seem to find anything to fit.....?

[DoctorD]

If you look on the AutoSock link below you can see that there are various sizes around about the 255/35x19 size.

http://www.roofbox.co.uk/autosock/ASsize.html

I would speak to Roofbox or SnowChains directly and agree which size would be the best fit. They're quite hard to fit over wide tyres, so I would expect that a 255/50x19 would probably be ok.

[DoctorD]

For the WeissSock range it looks like Size 87 is the right fit for the 255/35x19 tyres.

You won't find the RS4's standard tyre size listed, but if you work out the rolling circumference of the standard tyre it works out the same as a 225/40x19. This is size 85. The next size up is Size 87, which fits a 245/45x18. This gives a rolling circumference 2.2cm greater than the OEM size, which would allow for some of the increased width of the 255 tyre over a 225 tyre, or the Size 93 gives a circumference 9cm greater, which would allow for a few cm more than the increased width of the 255 width tyre.

It's not an exact science so I would start with the Size 87 and if necessary move up to the Size 93 if the 83's don't comfortably cover the full width of the tyre.

http://catenedaneve.weissenfels.com/ita ... /weisssock

[tartan_rob]

I did read in the manual the other day that Audi recommend fitting snow tyres in heavy snow conditions.

[DoctorD]

I did read in the manual the other day that Audi recommend fitting snow tyres in heavy snow conditions.

Snow tyres are less effective than snowchains in heavy snow, and I believe they are less effective than snowsocks apart from in hillstarts.

Besides, regardless of whether you have snow tyres fitted you still need chains to comply with the legal requirement for Alpine resorts.

P.s. the advice I've received today for fitting to the OEM setup for the RS4 is:

- fit Weissenfels Klack&Go quattro F40s to the front, and
- Weissock Snowsocks (Size 87) to the rear.

[tartan_rob]

Sorry - I meant snow chains. NOT TYRES.

[rs4v8]

I did read in the manual the other day that Audi recommend fitting snow tyres in heavy snow conditions.

Aye, Audi know that Pirelli sports tyres, four wheel drive and high power do not make the RS4 invincible!! I very nearly ended up in a car / canal interface after a misjudged three point turn on a (very frosty) gently sloped grassy bank and single track tarmacced road. Several attempts to get off it only resulted in getting closer to the canal. To say my pants were full is a very minor understatement Fortunately there was several people around to push. Seriously recommend snow chains if theres any chance at all of snow on the roads over there. The standard fit tyres are cack in the snow, you'll get passed by renault espace taxis with winter tyres going up the hill from the airport and that'll just not do!!