One of the first accessories I'll need are tire chains. I really mean "cables". What are the lightest and easiest to use traction devices? I don't care about durability as we only use then a few miles a year. But when they are needed, you really need them.
Do you see the conflict there? If you post your location, and/or where you'll be going, it will help. Actually, Google's probably your best bet: the authorities in your area probably have regulations online somewhere. I really don't know much about chains. I do know I rarely if ever see them. Winter tires (on all 4 corners) are a much more common choice. For one stop snow tire shopping your dealership's your best bet right now, though a bit more expensive (comparing to Costco, etc). In our area the show rooms typically have stacks of snow tires this time of year.
I do understand what you are saying- we live in SF Bay Area, and only need cable/chains if we drive up to Reno for the weekend. We aren't snow birds and we only do that a couple times a year when we think the weather will be decent. Sometimes a sneaky snowstorm comes in for the trip home...remember the Donner party! I am researching this too, so if I find a good pick, I'll pass it along.
Here in California people can install snow tires whenever they like but if the signs are posted saying "chains required" then you must put on chains, even over snow tires. Some times the sign will say the four wheel drive are permitted without chains but that is rare. Like I said if they are required, you need them. There are some places locally, here in So Calif. that have signs saying chains must be in your vehicle even if you are not required to put them on. They can change the signs based on the weather. The thinking with the "must be in the vehicle" sign is that if the road ices over after you have crossed some point then you'd not be able to get back home until the ice melts. They don't want to deal with 1,000 stranded cars Here in Southern California in winter it is likely to be sunny and 80 degrees near my house which is walking distance to the beach. But I can see snow covered mountains from where I live. The only icy roads around here are likely to be steep and curvy with a 500 foot drop off on one side going down some canyon. All that said, I found a section of the owner's manual where it says what to use. Basically tiny links. I asked this question here because once I had a Chrysler mini-van that had wheel clearances so small you could only use factory issue chains sold at the dealer.
I'd like to resurrect this discussion. I'm in Oregon, and it seems like we get one good snow a year. I used to have these awesome Thule chains for my Corolla, but in talking with my sister (she has the hybrid Lexus CT) and the profile of her car is low. So she said she has to get chains for a low profile car. The Thule chains for low profile vehicles are near $500! Is the c a low profile vehicle? It's my understanding it has to do with the space between the tire and the wheel well. Does anyone know? Thanks!
I was just planning on talking to someone at Les Schwab about this very same subject, I'll be sure to pass on the answer to you! (Hello Aurora, from about an hour South of you!)
Hey Captain Lucian Chiroptera! I'd love to hear what you find out. I took my car in last weekend for it's "1000 mile check-up" at the Toyota dealership and I asked the service manager my question about chains. He said that all Prii are "not recommended" to be driven in snow. He said it's because the traction control cannot be disabled in the car. I think this is a bunch of BS because there are thousands of Prii in states that get significantly more snow than Oregon and most people don't even use chains in those states (and they don't stop driving their cars). I live on a hill and just don't want to get stranded at work one day (and you know how that happens here!). I also didn't see anything in the manual that explicitly said that the car shouldn't be driven in the snow.
Aurora, based on my limited knowledge (of the CVT Transmission) I know my Prius C will not handle in the snow/ice like my AWD Matrix, I know that if the wheels on the Prius do not get any grip, the engine rev, and you won't go anywhere... I highly recommend that because you live on a hill, you don't try going skating with your Prius...
Nice video. I don't intend to go skating in my Prius, which is why I'm hoping to chain up if need be.
Aurora, I can't talk to Les Schwab tonight, but I assure you, I will report my findings as soon as I'm able... I'm going to miss my AWD, but seeing as how I hit Portland and Seattle at least a few times a month, I'm not going to miss needing to fuel up as often...
