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After having to fall back on some good old Norwegian experience on snow and icy steep driveways yesterday, I have decided I need some quick chains for the CTS. I was considering getting actual winter tires, but frankly.. we MAY get snow one day per year in Richmond and even up in the mountains by the cabin it is limited. And even there it is really just the final driveway I will need it (1/4 mile or so - steep and curvy with a significant drop-off on the side). I have actually never used chains other than on tractors (always had studded winter tires in Norway) so am looking for some input on it..

Was reading and these won the comparison test on thedrive.com:
https://www.amazon.com/Security-Chain-C ... now-pcr-20

Thoughts?

Been a long while since I’ve touched chains. Hate it and they tear everything up including your car. Get a studded set of tires or a good 4wd.

[quote=""ChargerX3""]Been a long while since I’ve touched chains. Hate it and they tear everything up including your car. Get a studded set of tires or a good 4wd.[/quote]

I am not buying studded tires for driving 1/4 mile one day per winter. That would be silly and a gigantic waste of money.

a 1/4 mile?

[quote=""ChargerX3""] or a good 4wd.[/quote]

:d ontknow:

[quote=""alienviking""]After having to fall back on some good old Norwegian experience on snow and icy steep driveways yesterday, I have decided I need some quick chains for the CTS. I was considering getting actual winter tires, but frankly.. we MAY get snow one day per year in Richmond and even up in the mountains by the cabin it is limited. And even there it is really just the final driveway I will need it (1/4 mile or so - steep and curvy with a significant drop-off on the side). I have actually never used chains other than on tractors (always had studded winter tires in Norway) so am looking for some input on it..

Was reading and these won the comparison test on thedrive.com:
https://www.amazon.com/Security-Chain-C ... now-pcr-20

Thoughts?[/quote]

Steep and curvy driveway with a drop off, sounds like Coop is best suited to answer your questions. Minimum 35" tires with lockers at both axles and a low range transfer case.

In reality, I don't know the first thing about snow chains

Sweet. This is my jam!!!

A dude that can run 10mile at the drop of a hat is worried about going 1/4th a mile if it snows! Love it!

Get a set of chains used, they don’t wear out. They only suck putting on once you already are stuck. I don’t like the roller ones but a couple guys at work use them on their fwd cars and like them. But used should be around 50 bucks and the piece of mind is easily worth 50 bucks.


Coop

I've only used chains off road in the winter on off road trails on the wrangler. I carry a set of 4 chains fir the xj and 2 each for the truck and kia. Have yet to use on any of them.

That said, since they are going on the cts I'd think those would be fine for short drives. I have full on chains for the bigger ones but something similar to those for the kia.

One thing to think about is the fact that you would only possibly use them a couple times a year if that. So cable chains like you posted should be fine.

Also, what does your owners manual say? Some vehicles say not to use chains.

I've bought all my chains from etrailer.com

[quote=""vegasidol""]a 1/4 mile?
[/quote]

GPS says 0.6 miles. My sense of estimating distance sucks haha. Good to know though since I plan on using that hill for running hill repeats.

New 4WD is out for now - Bronco is delayed

Also, this would be more for emergencies than anything. If I am stuck not getting out one day in general I wouldn't care. But since it has been confirmed that fire trucks can't get there (we had to have a review done by them before we closed.. one of many hurdles..) and I am a bit iffy on if an ambulance can, I would like it as an extra backup for that one time I MIGHT need it.

Now that I look at it.. that might even be underestimated (and the map is also wrong). It takes close to 4 minutes to drive down it in the summer. So whatever distance that ends up being haha.

2 snow tires on extra set of used wheels isn't that bad. Then just leave them on all season.

Used to do that with the Stealth when i lived up by Yellowstone for school. Studded tires are legit.

Or just get a proper awd car that can handle the task at hand.

Time to trade in that CTS wagon for an RS6 Avant!

No.

[quote=""aaronatstate""]Time to trade in that CTS wagon for a Forester [/quote]

Fixed

Those are you best bet for your vehicle. Most vehicles that say dont use chains are talking about actual chains, not these guys. They get good reviews and seem to last decently as long as you arent going on the interstate with them or something. I was going to get a set for the sti, but we will probably just get winter tires at some point.

There will be a new car coming in the future - but since I have driven basically nothing this year and probably wont drive much most of next year I'm enjoying car loan free time with the CTS hah. Plus there MAY be some future plans that will require a vehicle that can tow so holding off until those things work themselves out as well. Either way, it wont be a Forester

Thanks Ryan - It really sounds like the easiest and cheapest way to get some extra added insurance for the extremely tiny chance that I have a need for them.

Disclaimer, i dont have any personal experience with them, just looked like the best option based on my previous research for cars without a lot of room in the wheel wells.

Hah no worries - it makes sense to me as well. If I was driving into an area with heavy snowfall all the time I'd definitely go for winter tires but like I said - this is just an emergency backup.

Update...

Viking does 80mph on interstate with chains. Wheel Wells are a gaping mess.

I would have to GET to an interstate first.. that is 30 minutes away!

Sounds like you need a Baja!