Snow Chains for 19" wheels
#31
I have Walmart chains on my RX300, the all wheel drive system of which is pretty much same as that of the RX350. I too go to Mammoth and Tahoe during the winter and have used Michelin LTX M/S all that time. I didn't ever have to use the chain. Not even once. First, even when the police requires you to use the chains, it is for single axle drive type vehicles. You simply tell them you have AWD and M/S tires on your car. Second, the car went up hill with up to 6 inches of snow on the road. I don't think I ever seriously broke traction in that car.
FYI. coming down from the mountains when you have serious amount of snow is a different matter all together and requires some planning like deflating your tires, judicious usage of first gear and, yes, even using chains. Once there is more than 6 inches of snow or sleet, I wait it out.
FYI. coming down from the mountains when you have serious amount of snow is a different matter all together and requires some planning like deflating your tires, judicious usage of first gear and, yes, even using chains. Once there is more than 6 inches of snow or sleet, I wait it out.
The other concern is that not all 4wd vehicles are actually 4wd. On many trucks and SUV's, if the front and rear wheels on one side of the vehicle get stuck in the snow, you are not going anywhere, because the other side wheels will not move while the stuck ones just spin. At that time, chains are a great thing to have.
#32
Would think something like this would save the rim from scratches.
Amazon.com: Security Chain Company SC1032 Radial Chain Cable Traction Tire Chain - Set of 2: Automotive
Should be pretty easy to look up the CA statute and see whether 2 or 4 chains are required. I would guess two though. My next guess is to put them on the front if really needed for traction.
Amazon.com: Security Chain Company SC1032 Radial Chain Cable Traction Tire Chain - Set of 2: Automotive
Should be pretty easy to look up the CA statute and see whether 2 or 4 chains are required. I would guess two though. My next guess is to put them on the front if really needed for traction.
Weeellll, those are the cable chains, and they are not highly regarded. I consider them crap, but I might be in the minority on that. The statute only requires chains on drive wheels. They close the road before it would ever get bad enough for chains on all wheels.
#33
Lead Lap
Steve, the OP did not ask about that. In California, there are times when it is REQUIRED to have chains ON your tires. It does not matter what drive, or tires, you have....chains are required. The OP wants to know what brand of chains, and a little more about their use, as well as tire requirements without chains.
You are correct, I'm a little off track based on the OP's question.
I'm just having trouble using the words 'snow" & "California" in the same sentence !
From where I live, just doesn't seem logical.
#34
Even in the Sierra, though, the winter's are short and mild, by your standards.
I hope the OP got all the restrictions, and their needs, sorted out.
Jim
#35
Lexus Champion
I always have two sets of tires/rims. For the hassle of dealing with chain, It's lot easier switching tires/rims when season changes. I do it myself. My family only use AWD vehicles, young and old. All has two sets of tires/rims which I change myself. Chain, strap always has a chance of getting loose and cause scratches on fender or rim, etc. while driving. Putting on/off chain, strap is such a hassle.
#36
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Any recommendations on snow chains? I drive a 2013 Rx350 with 19inch wheels and all season. Heading to tahoe for the first time in years and I read its required as its snowing pretty hard.
#37
Go to Walmart and buy a set of chains...ACTUAL CHAINS, not cable "chains". Take them with you, but you will likely not need them, if you have AWD. Both 50 and 80 are cleared quickly, and regularly. If it is not actually snowing, it is unusual to require chains. If you do need them, you will have them. If you don't take them out of the package, you can return them.
#39
#40
That is a good question. If they are installed correctly, and checked for tightness within a couple hundreds yards of installation, and another mile or so later, there will be no contact with the wheel. If someone does a sloppy job installing, and doesn't re-check, wheel damage is possible. In any case, chains should only be used when required, under conditions making their use absolutely necessary.
#41
#42
Instructor
RX 450h AWD newbie here.
What brand of chains do you recommend for the 19" P235/55R19 tires?
The wheels are so pretty that I'd hate to scratch them up with chains from our local car parts store (like we did for our old Camry).
I live in CA and am new to AWD. Do I need chains for all 4 wheels? If not, then do they go on the front or back?
Does anyone know why there is no AWD badge on the body (I looked and could not find it, but did find the Hybrid sign).
Also, CA Dept of Transportation has R1, R2, R3 Chain Control Rules. We are good to go for R1, and all require chains if R3. For R2, several friends with AWD/4WD have told me that they have been waived through by the CHP with "All Season"/"All Weather" tires, but the law clearly states that R2 AWD/4WD vehicles require SNOW/MUD tires on all 4 wheels. So do any of you have actual experience in this area?
Thanks in advance.
Cheryl
What brand of chains do you recommend for the 19" P235/55R19 tires?
The wheels are so pretty that I'd hate to scratch them up with chains from our local car parts store (like we did for our old Camry).
I live in CA and am new to AWD. Do I need chains for all 4 wheels? If not, then do they go on the front or back?
Does anyone know why there is no AWD badge on the body (I looked and could not find it, but did find the Hybrid sign).
Also, CA Dept of Transportation has R1, R2, R3 Chain Control Rules. We are good to go for R1, and all require chains if R3. For R2, several friends with AWD/4WD have told me that they have been waived through by the CHP with "All Season"/"All Weather" tires, but the law clearly states that R2 AWD/4WD vehicles require SNOW/MUD tires on all 4 wheels. So do any of you have actual experience in this area?
Thanks in advance.
Cheryl
Ray A.
#43
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I have lived in South Lake Tahoe now for 50 years, ca. law requires you to have chains that will fit your car with you at all times in the winter. This year 2017 they were talking about not allowing cable chains to go over the mountain passes anymore. The highway patrol if they want can stop you on dry pavement and require you to show them that your chains will fit by having you install them in front of them.
#44
I just picked up Konig / THule XG12 pro in size 247, despite having AWD. I also go to Tahoe regularly, but for me, this is less about the law then being prepared for when you get yourself stuck, you are able to get out.
Plus my brother has the same size tire on a 2WD and can use them when he goes up.
Dilemma:
Konig's application chart recommends size 250, even though the tire is dimensionally almost identical to 235/60 R18 (where they recommend size 247).
Etrailer.com indicates that 235/55 R19 size 247 will work and they endorse using that size.
I believe what is going on is size 247 probably is going to be on the tighter end of the adjustability, and 250 is on the looser end, but both can work.
I went with the 247 smaller size because I know chains stretch over time and eventually you have to take out a extension link..
I've test fitted and they go on fine. Agree it is a little tight so you really have to line up the chains and tug a bit to get the connections, versus other sets where you have a bit more slack to work with.
Reason picking Thule is I've had experience with them before so know the ins-and-outs of install, and wanted chain-chains not cable chains, since this is about not getting stuck.
If your intention is to just get past Caltrans and you're staying on the main roads, I'd recommend cable chains over chain-chains. The highways will be at least scrapped and with less than 2inches of snow, cables give you a smoother ride, less space, less weight, easier to manipulate putting on. Still you definitely spend the extra to get the premium models where you do not need to move the car, and are auto-adjusting, e.g. superz).
Plus my brother has the same size tire on a 2WD and can use them when he goes up.
Dilemma:
Konig's application chart recommends size 250, even though the tire is dimensionally almost identical to 235/60 R18 (where they recommend size 247).
Etrailer.com indicates that 235/55 R19 size 247 will work and they endorse using that size.
I believe what is going on is size 247 probably is going to be on the tighter end of the adjustability, and 250 is on the looser end, but both can work.
I went with the 247 smaller size because I know chains stretch over time and eventually you have to take out a extension link..
I've test fitted and they go on fine. Agree it is a little tight so you really have to line up the chains and tug a bit to get the connections, versus other sets where you have a bit more slack to work with.
Reason picking Thule is I've had experience with them before so know the ins-and-outs of install, and wanted chain-chains not cable chains, since this is about not getting stuck.
If your intention is to just get past Caltrans and you're staying on the main roads, I'd recommend cable chains over chain-chains. The highways will be at least scrapped and with less than 2inches of snow, cables give you a smoother ride, less space, less weight, easier to manipulate putting on. Still you definitely spend the extra to get the premium models where you do not need to move the car, and are auto-adjusting, e.g. superz).
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