Do I need 2 sets of snow chains for 4X4?
Discussion
As far as I know, the law in most countries (which require them at all) states that you must be able to fit them to "at least one driven axle" so one set would be legal.
Worth noting that winter tyres are also effectively compulsory in some European countries because you're required to run either chains or winter tyres for certain months of the year but aren't allowed to use chains where there is no snow.
Worth noting that winter tyres are also effectively compulsory in some European countries because you're required to run either chains or winter tyres for certain months of the year but aren't allowed to use chains where there is no snow.
Snow chains are to be used at low speeds so it doesn't really matter on a 4x4 if you have them front or rear, they are to be used on the driving wheels of a 2wd car be it FWD or RWD.
Cost aside of course, but a set of winter tyres would be best option.
ETA, as kambites says, in some countries you must have winter tyres fitted, in Sweden for example.
Cost aside of course, but a set of winter tyres would be best option.
ETA, as kambites says, in some countries you must have winter tyres fitted, in Sweden for example.
Edited by Finlandia on Tuesday 9th December 09:12
LaurasOtherHalf said:
Isn't the "winter tyres compulsory" rule in European countries only for domestic cars? If you're a tourist from another country it doesn't apply.
In Sweden it applies to all, and not only do you need winter tyres, but they must be tyres made for Nordic conditions, so the continental European 'light' versions won't do.Finlandia said:
In Sweden it applies to all, and not only do you need winter tyres, but they must be tyres made for Nordic conditions, so the continental European 'light' versions won't do.
Nothing like a bit of bullcrap first thing on a Tuesday..driveeuropenews said:
In Sweden, from 1 December until 31 March, during ‘wintery conditions’ – when there is snow, slush, ice or frost on any part of the road (as defined by police) – vehicles up to 3.5t must have winter tyres (marked MS, M+S, etc) with at least 3mm of tread, including trailers.
r11co said:
Finlandia said:
In Sweden it applies to all, and not only do you need winter tyres, but they must be tyres made for Nordic conditions, so the continental European 'light' versions won't do.
Nothing like a bit of bullcrap first thing on a Tuesday..driveeuropenews said:
In Sweden, from 1 December until 31 March, during ‘wintery conditions’ – when there is snow, slush, ice or frost on any part of the road (as defined by police) – vehicles up to 3.5t must have winter tyres (marked MS, M+S, etc) with at least 3mm of tread, including trailers.
STRO Scandinavian Tyre and Rim Organisation has a list of winter tyres that are legal to use, not all tyres with MS or M+S are legal to use in Sweden during the winter.
The ones that are legal to use, are conveniently called Nordic winter tyres.
Yes you do need them in the French Alps once you go above a certain height, a like a ski resort... Front wheels only as mentioned before. Snow socks don't count.
In reality, if you have snow or winter tyres on and you are in a 4WD, the gendarmes may well wave you by, but if they decide that it's snowing hard and if they are not in a good mood, they can make you stop in an "Aire de chainage" to put your chains on. If you don't have any with you, then you are not going up the mountain. Simple as that.
We drive every year with winter tyres on in just a front wheel drive car and even if quite deep or compacted snow have not needed to put the chains on for the last 4 or 5 years yet, but there will be a time and woe betide me/ you if you've forgotten to chuck the chains in. I've had to put them on in the past on RWD cars.
Also practise putting them on somewhere dry and warm first as they can be a devil to get on and the last place you want to be experimenting is in the dark in a lay by in - 20c with blowing snow.
In reality, if you have snow or winter tyres on and you are in a 4WD, the gendarmes may well wave you by, but if they decide that it's snowing hard and if they are not in a good mood, they can make you stop in an "Aire de chainage" to put your chains on. If you don't have any with you, then you are not going up the mountain. Simple as that.
We drive every year with winter tyres on in just a front wheel drive car and even if quite deep or compacted snow have not needed to put the chains on for the last 4 or 5 years yet, but there will be a time and woe betide me/ you if you've forgotten to chuck the chains in. I've had to put them on in the past on RWD cars.
Also practise putting them on somewhere dry and warm first as they can be a devil to get on and the last place you want to be experimenting is in the dark in a lay by in - 20c with blowing snow.
Is this ^^^ really true? 4WD in winters may be required to fit chains?
Having got through all kinds of conditions - fresh snow up to my knees, steep slush, ice - in various X5s on winters in France and Switzerland over the years and never carried chains or been asked to fit them, I kind of want to know.
Having got through all kinds of conditions - fresh snow up to my knees, steep slush, ice - in various X5s on winters in France and Switzerland over the years and never carried chains or been asked to fit them, I kind of want to know.
http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/overseas/snow...
You will see from the attached - which applies to visitors not residents - that different rules apply in different countries. I also have driven many thousands of miles across the continent in the winter over a few decades in all different types of cars and my comment was specifically aimed at France where the rules are sometimes adhered to, sometimes not and sometimes are open to interpretation in the mountains.
I have been a passenger in a Discovery on winter tyres that was not allowed up a ski resort road by one rather grumpy local cop manning his local Aire de chainage in a pretty bad snow Storm.
Was it law or not? Not sure. Were we going why further without chains? Not that day...
Buy them or hire them stick them in your boot and you'll maybe never need them.
Chance it and you may have an issue - your call.
You will see from the attached - which applies to visitors not residents - that different rules apply in different countries. I also have driven many thousands of miles across the continent in the winter over a few decades in all different types of cars and my comment was specifically aimed at France where the rules are sometimes adhered to, sometimes not and sometimes are open to interpretation in the mountains.
I have been a passenger in a Discovery on winter tyres that was not allowed up a ski resort road by one rather grumpy local cop manning his local Aire de chainage in a pretty bad snow Storm.
Was it law or not? Not sure. Were we going why further without chains? Not that day...
Buy them or hire them stick them in your boot and you'll maybe never need them.
Chance it and you may have an issue - your call.
I always carry snow chains in alps in winter. In France, snow tyres are not compulsory but when they put up the snow chain signs, if you don't have them, the police may turn you back, no matter how good you tell them your 4x4 is...it is also good to have them for emergencies anyway. And they are a complete pain to put on so definitely practise a few times in milder conditions when your hands are not frozen!
It seems its a moot point for me.
I have just been told (and I am happy to be corrected) that the new Range Rover cannot use chains, due to there being no space around the suspension arms.
They have top use some sort of device that bolts on to your whee nuts.
And they cost £500 notes.
So I think Iw ill just do without!
I have just been told (and I am happy to be corrected) that the new Range Rover cannot use chains, due to there being no space around the suspension arms.
They have top use some sort of device that bolts on to your whee nuts.
And they cost £500 notes.
So I think Iw ill just do without!
Steviesam said:
It seems its a moot point for me.
I have just been told (and I am happy to be corrected) that the new Range Rover cannot use chains, due to there being no space around the suspension arms.
They have top use some sort of device that bolts on to your whee nuts.
And they cost £500 notes.
So I think Iw ill just do without!
Really? Who told you that? What size of wheels do you have? Do you mean the LR Traction System? If so, it is expensive and really I am not sure why is it much different to a properly fitted set of chains...I have just been told (and I am happy to be corrected) that the new Range Rover cannot use chains, due to there being no space around the suspension arms.
They have top use some sort of device that bolts on to your whee nuts.
And they cost £500 notes.
So I think Iw ill just do without!
Edited by supercampeao on Tuesday 9th December 14:40
It could be the traction system, I am not very technical!
I was told this by a reatiler whose business is snow chains (and the like). He SEEMED very knowledable and was highly apologetic. He wasnt trying to up sell me, as he suggested I didnt bother at that price!
I will take the advice that a polite wave and carry on!
I was told this by a reatiler whose business is snow chains (and the like). He SEEMED very knowledable and was highly apologetic. He wasnt trying to up sell me, as he suggested I didnt bother at that price!
I will take the advice that a polite wave and carry on!
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