Chains on 20" wheels

[jezitalia]

Hi all,

Hoping you can help. I am about to embark on a trip to the Swiss Alps starting out from Central Italy.

Looking at the Regs in Italy, Austria and Switzerland it appears a mandatory requirement to carry snow chains, even when the car is fitted with winter tyres ( this according to an Italian traffic cop )

My question is does anyone know, or have any experience/ advice on what chains can be safely fitted to 20" rims, also does Audi have any advice on whether just front wheels or all wheels should run Chains, should the need arise.

Many thanks,

[gmk666]

You're asking us Brits about driving in the snow?
Have you seen what happens on our roads every time the temperature drops half a degree beneath freezing?
We've absolutely no idea.

[amanda1]

You're asking us Brits about driving in the snow?
Have you seen what happens on our roads every time the temperature drops half a degree beneath freezing?
We've absolutely no idea.

PMSLH that is so true

[jezitalia]

As a Brit living in Italy, with winter tyres on my car, I can tell you its the only way. Whats going on in the UK now would be a cake walk with the right tyres. i was hoping maybe someone may have had experience with chains and 20" wheels.

It does amaze me, as even when I lived in Istanbul, people thought putting winter tyres on was a good idea. As long as its less than +7 degrees and damp, they help, that to me sums up on average a good 3-4 months in the UK. Its not like you are wearing two sets of tyres at once, so the cost argument is somewhat lost on me. I believe that 1cm of snow costs UK Plc more than the cost of changing to winter tyres and thats before the safety argument.

Thanks for your answers, and pleased it has caused a laugh!

[alexrs6plus]

Yes its the law to carry chains in Italy from i think october or november to about febuary-march.

[jezitalia]

Thanks, was hoping 4 wheel drive and winter tyres would get me by, 20" chains won't be cheap!

[mcfreedom]

I had a friend that just carried chains in the back of his car that didn't even fit his car, and when he got stopped he just showed the Officer he had some and tried to explain that he felt the conditions weren't bad enough to warrant use just yet in his 'Pigeon Italian' and everything was OK.

My advice for what it's worth :- Borrow some that don't even need to fit your car. My RS6 is awesome in the snow even with 700BHP and I've only got Summer tyres

[jezitalia]

Mcfreedom, seems to make sense, and is on the lines with most Italians do. Thanks

[kart_man]

Has anyone fitted chains yet? We've got pretty serious snow here and I'd like peace of mind when I'm out and about (particularly as I think this will be a theme for the winter now!).
I've found 2 thule products that will do the job, but at £350 and £550 for the 4 corners, I'd like to know there aren't clearance problems or anything else to take into account!
Any feedback appreciated.

[jezitalia]

Kart Man, my feelings exactly!

[paulcrake]

I wouldn't be concerned about carrying chains if you have winter tyres. Let alone trying to fit them to a 20inch wheel. Last time I checked they didn't exist for that size and if they did you would be likely to damage them. I live in the italian alps and have never had a problem legally providing the car is fitted with winter tyres. I wouldn't believe what the italian police might say, they all have a different story. The law is if you have winter tyres then you are ok, those who say otherwise are wrong.
In Austria it is law to have winter tyres fitted from 1st Nov. till maybe April
In Northern italy the law has just come in that from 15th Nov.
In Swiss I think it would be similar. However it is only law if the conditions warrant.
Providing you drive within the limits the rs6 is a fun car to drive in snow..

[jezitalia]

Paul, many thanks, as ever, as I am finding a sensible answer to the "flexible, and undefinable" letter of Italian law! Looks like the oppo to test in the snow is coming next week.

[SR71]

No problems fitting chains to my 19" wheels on the RS4.

Just got to buy the right size.

[kart_man]

Just ordered some Thule K-Summit chains - I'll let you know how they go. Seemed like a better option than winter tyres, as the snow fall here is so sporadic. Will only be used in extreme conditions as so far the car has performed well in the snow we've had.

[jezitalia]

Kart Man, good to hear of the performance on the snow on summer tyres, I think that Thule + winter tyres could be over the top, off to Switzerland tmrw!