Tire chains

[seafajr.]

I gave up on getting snow tires for my Baja. I decided on the Firestone Winterforce but they had to be ordered for my tire size and it would have been a 4 hour wait to get them on if they had them.
After the first snow hit the Seattle area a few days ago with a lot more on the way. I decided I'd try tire chains even though they are not recommended. I bought two sets of Peerless Auto-Trac self tightening chains. They said they would work on cars with limited clearance problems. Putting them on both front and rear is overkill but it can't hurt. I had to take them off the rear because I could hear them banging around in the wheel well. Fortunately they fit my moms Chevy Astro van because I can't return them now that I've used them.
It's a tight fit in the front but it doesn't seem to be banging into anything. I can hear some noise from up there intermittently every now and then but I think they're just hitting the ice build up. I took a look in there and it doesn't look like there is any kind of damage or scratching.
Getting around and up hills is so much better than without them. Stopping without sliding is a breeze. I can even slam on my brakes going down an icy hill and I don't slide.
People say you don't need chains on a Subaru. I know, you can get away without them but they drive and stop so much nicer on snow and ice with them. I sure wish Subaru would design their cars with enough space in the wheel wells.

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[DUDE ITS A BAJA]

try your local subaru dealership, most of them carry bridgestone blizzaks, and their prices are very competitive. I got my set last year in Montana for about $450 including alignment. And they eat ice and snow, especially at high speeds.

[Flowmastered87GL]

Blizzaks FTW

[seafajr.]

This winter storm that has slammed Seattle should only be around another day. So far I'm getting around great with the tire chains. This is a if you have 2WD and don't at least have good snow tires, you have no business driving in it type of snowstorm. Very rare for this area.
I have absolutely no faith in the stock RE92s. I had a front wheel drive with snow tires that handled better. Now that they are half worn, I won't drive in this snow without new tires, snow tires, or chains. Another 10K miles and I can replace them with a set of Goodyear triple treads.

[BrunoShield]

You'll like the Triple Treads. They came on my used Baja when I bought it. Wet, dry, icy, snow? They don't care. They handle well and are quiet. I live in Wisconsin on Lake Michigan. Snow is common. Nah, snow is guaranteed! Our last 'big snow' was 14.5 inches a few days ago. I cleaned off the windows, started the Baja and drove out before the plows came out. Yeah, it took two tries to make the turn out of my driveway, but it was only because the front wheels were turned and I was plowing about 12" of snow with the front bumper. I was afraid I was going to get hung up on the deep snow but no problems. The Triple Treads are not the most aggressive snow tire, but they supply an amazing amount of traction in it. It's nice not having to deal with winter/summer tires. In last year's record setting 109" of snow I never once got stuck. Slowed down? Sure, but never once did I have to get out and shovel. There were times I was about the only thing moving on the freeway.

[shipjumper]

for me I am on my 2nd set of blizzaks and hated both sets of them with a passion...

back to winterforce or coopers next year

[moonzie]

+1 to the Tripletreads. Dang good tire. Best tire I've ever driven on to date. The traction on those things are phenomenal.

[shipjumper]

never heard of triple treads...

who makes em?

[holland_patrick]

goodyear i think.. Blah...


The Goodyear Assurance radial featuring TripleTred Technology is a premium Passenger All-Season tire designed to take on Mother Nature to give the drivers of family coupes, sedans and minivans peace of mind for any driving condition. It was developed to be versatile by combining long wear with traction in any weather condition, including light snow.

On the outside, the Assurance TripleTred radials have a directional tread design with a dry road zone featuring stable shoulder blocks to provide confident maneuvering on dry roads, an intermediate water zone with carved Aquachutes to direct water away from under the tire tread to maintain more contact with the road in the rain, and a central snow and ice zone featuring a heavily siped interlocking rib to enhance traction in light snow and on ice. On the inside, the Assurance TripleTred radial's polyester cord body and twin steel belts to help deliver a smooth ride along with strength and durability.

Assurance TripleTred radials feature Goodyear's PermaBlack compound additive that maintains new-tire appearance throughout the life of the tire.

[deadlydave]

Originally Posted by holland_patrick

The Goodyear Assurance radial featuring TripleTred Technology... It was developed to be versatile by combining long wear with traction in any weather condition, including light snow.
...

I know there are only a few of us that this may pertain to, but looking at that tread, it will not stand up well to competition use.

From all accounts, this is one of the few decent tires to be had in the Baja's size, I may pick up a set when my stock winters are fried.

[Subie_Sleeper68]

I'd avoid running chains unless you can get them on both axles safely. ANY snow tire and almost any other all season will be better than the stock potenzas (TRASH) I know quite a few people who like those triple treads. BUT for the best year round handling you can't beat a dedicated set of tires for both summer and winter. We use Yokahama avids for summer and winterforce the rest of the year on my wifes 06 Outback XT and my 06 Baja T gets Falken FK452s and Dunlop wintersport m3s.

[seafajr.]

Now that the snow here has mostly melted from the main roads, I've taken off the chains. Next time I'll put in wheel spacers and put the chains on all fours. That's if we have another storm like this in Seattle again.
I know that they are not recommended but I think they handle so much better on iced over hills, especially when they become the wet slushy ice. Like I said before, I could slam on my brakes going down a hill and not slide.
I'm sure it would be different if I lived somewhere that was mostly flat.

[deadlydave]

Originally Posted by seafajr.

Now that the snow here has mostly melted from the main roads, I've taken off the chains. Next time I'll put in wheel spacers and put the chains on all fours. That's if we have another storm like this in Seattle again.

Careful with wheel spacers. Make sure that you use a torque wrench to properly and evenly torque all lug nuts. I had to replace all 10 front lug studs because they had bent due to uneven torquing on the front wheels.

[seafajr.]

Originally Posted by deadlydave

Careful with wheel spacers. Make sure that you use a torque wrench to properly and evenly torque all lug nuts. I had to replace all 10 front lug studs because they had bent due to uneven torquing on the front wheels.

Thanks for the tip! I'd hate to have to bend the lug studs or do something worse.

[deadlydave]

Originally Posted by seafajr.

Thanks for the tip! I'd hate to have to bend the lug studs or do something worse.

No problem, replacing them is such a pain in the sack. The rear wheels are even worse.