Please refer me to the best tire chains you know.

December 3, 2015 6:12 AM

Retiring a geriatric Volvo, picking up a young Volkswagen. Looking for easy to install tire chains to help me get to work when winter finally decides to show up.

Got a great deal on a 2013 Volkswagen Passat, no it's not 4motion. I live in a small town and commute to another bigger (still small) town. The interstate between cities stays decent most times, except when it's not, but neither town does a great job with snow removal in town. Poorly enough that studded tires don't generally cut it because the roads get driven on a lot before the plow comes, so there's a solid layer of packed snow and ice.

Anyway, I know I shouldn't drive on the interstate with chains---or at least that's how it used to be, so I may need to put them on and take them off a few times a day. Does there exist either a set of chains I can take on the interstate, even up to like 50mph, and/or that come on and off relatively easily?

posted by TomMelee to Shopping (5 answers total)

Chains shouldn't be used on hard surfaces. Even if you don't care about chain wear which is greatly increased when used on hard surfaces the use of chains on pavement is really hard on the asphalt.

I find the cam locks easiest to install. Cable chains are easiest to handle because they are the lightest but hey are also the least effective and shortest wearing. I'm not sure if non-hardened chain is a thing but hardened chains are going to last the longest.

If you are new to chains the colour coded style are more self explanatory when installing. Not something I'd pay extra for but might have some value to you.

I like to keep my chains in a ventilated box with dividers. A milk crate with a chunk of wood screwed in as a divider works well. If you carefully layer the chain set when you put it in the box it makes it easier to pull out without tangling.

If you are actually using your chains on a daily basis you might want to consider acquiring a set of chain pliers and a couple spare cross chains.
posted by Mitheral at 6:53 AM on December 3, 2015

Instead of chains, have you thought of getting winter tires that are designed to handle ice and packed snow well? Bridgestone Blizzaks are probably the best known. Here's a site listing some options.
posted by ShooBoo at 7:44 AM on December 3, 2015 [3 favorites]

2nding a set of winters. Our snow/road situation where I live trumps anything you've got in the US (like ND, but worse), and no-one uses chains on a regular basis.
I've got Blizzaks, but as ShooBoo says, other brands are available.
posted by Kreiger at 8:41 AM on December 3, 2015

I think you're going to be happiest with snow tires (studded or otherwise if your municipality doesn't allow them) and then a set of chains to deal with the bad days. Winter tires on all 4 wheels is going to give you the best traction in a variety of winter conditions and then with a set of chains you'll also be equipped to deal with the extreme iced over days.
posted by iamabot at 8:52 AM on December 3, 2015

If your old Volvo was rear wheel drive, you might be surprised how much better the VW does in snow just because it's front wheel drive.
posted by jon1270 at 9:05 PM on December 3, 2015