Snow Chains

[dsearle]

I'm planning on driving down to Switzerland and am currently researching snow chains. Do I have to put snow chains on each wheel. I can see that Maggi Trak snow chains come in pairs. These are expensive anyway so do I need to buy 2 pairs of just have a front pair?

Thanks,

Dave

[Mike_K]

have a look in your owners handbook ? Mine (B6 dutch version) states front wheels only. and also answers the wheel size problem for the B6. Somewhere on rs246, about 2 years ago I think, I put a few posts on the subject. Dont know if you are a B6 or B7 but for my B6 chains dont give the needed clearance (for turning) in the wheel arches with standard wheels so I had to get smaller wheels and tyres.

cheerz, mike

[dsearle]

Thanks for the reply. I have a B6 S4. I'm looking at the Maggi Trak chains. Will I still have a problem with the clearance on the wheel arches? I am driving 235/40/18 tyres. Changing wheels isn't really an option.

The chains can be found here:

http://www.roofbox.co.uk/scripts/rbvehs ... Sub_Model=[/url]

[Mike_K]

cant really help Dave, Ive never *tried* to fit chains to the standard wheels - only to my 2nd set (Michelin Pilot Alpine PA2 225/45 R17)

The 225/45/17 is the wheel size stated in my owners manual; which also says that chains cannot be fitted to 235/40/18

Of course it doesnt mean they wont fit; and it may be that they based this statement on worst case chains. Nowadays there are all sorts of ideas, such as socks etc.

I suggest that you check your owners manual, and see what it says. If you're lucky there will be a different recommendation for the UK market (cannot see why it should be different but you never know where they get their disclaimers from...)

One other point: I know in France that there are the occasions when chains are required normally dont last very long (1 day max ?) before the snowploughs come and clear. We just returned from Meribel and the road conditions were "Chains - but snow tyres permitted". It was bucketing down with snow and there was about 4-6 cm of fresh stuff on the roads. I took the gamble of not putting the chains on since they werent mandatory, and the grip from my winter tyres was outstanding/ unbelieveable. So even if you end up stuck, maybe you should consider fitting winter tyres which will solve 90% of the occasions when its snowing. (NB misconception they are only for snow - winter tyres such as the PA2s are always better than normal tyres when temperature is under 7 deg C. I keep mine on the car from November until about start April).

Sorry its such along reply....

[Mike_K]

just had a look... neat idea that looks really easy to fit !

[dsearle]

Right I've gone for the Maggi Traks because the Spiders needed a disc fitted before using the chains which looked a bit of a hassle. Anyways the Maggi should arrive tomorrow and I can check them out. I'll feedback what I find on this site.

Thanks for the info.

Dave

[dsearle]

Ok, I'm back from Switzerland and WoW what a journey. The car drove like a dream. Be warned about the traffic police on the French roads though, everything I had read about on this site was true. I had three laser traps on the way down and on the way back I had 1 laser on the side of the road and 1 hidden at the Peage Toll. In Germany, the V8 was given some space and allowed to do what it does best.

As for the snowchains I ended up not needing them. Good to have them I suppose however I did try putting them on before heading out to Europe and couldn't even get the chain onto the wheel. I've checked and doublechecked and it's the right model according to Maggitrak. I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong to be honest. Time to call roofbox I think! Thankfully I didn't need them however it would be good to know they fitted for next year. One thing I have thought is that I have brand new tyres on the car. Maybe with some tread worn in the tyres life may become a little easier. Anybody got any thoughts?

What Wheel sizes can I change down to on the S4? What 17's should I look for in case I decide to size down next year?

Regards,

Dave

[nidfix]

What Wheel sizes can I change down to on the S4? What 17's should I look for in case I decide to size down next year?

Like Mike_K 225/45R17...