Snow Chains on a 911?

[964Tom]

I plan to drive to the French Alps in a few weeks, and I'm pretty sure that I will need snow chains, just to get up and I heard that now its Law?

Has anyone else use snow chains on a 964?

Has anyone else use snow chains on a lowered 911?

Am I asking for trouble? Will the chains knacker the lining of the wheel arches? Or do modern chains for wheels hug the tyres pretty well?

Any adivce welcome!

Thanks

Tom

[nevetas]

Ive just got back from the alps (5,000 mile tour)

I was in a Landrover defender though.

Basically, yes it's law to have them in most resorts, however, aslong as you don't plan going off the beaten track you won't really need them. I only had to use mine twice, when I was going up a mountain on an unmade path.

All the other roads are very well maintained. And snow ploughs work through the night.

In all the petrol stations they sell chains, but they also do a product called a snow sock, which would be a much better idea.

After seeing the damage the chains did to my ladrover wheels, personally I wouldn't stick them on my pride and joy.

Try a google search for snow sock, and if you find yourself getting in trouble just pick one up at a petrol station.

Other things to watch, check your anti freeze, make sure your wiper fluid is pure concentre mixed with no water, and if you plan leaving your car outside vasaline the door sills so they dont stick. Remember some lock de-icer, first aid kit, blanket, fire extinguisher, spare bulds, and some high energy food just incase.

I had a great time in the Landrover Defender, will definatly be doing it again next year.

Some scenery pics:- http://tinyurl.com/87mxe

[cyrus1971]

Great pictures by the way - I have one as my wallpaper now ! No copyright I trust :-)

Just back from a week in Les Gets myself.

C



>> Edited by cyrus1971 on Thursday 9th February 15:48

[mutt k]

nevetas said:

check your anti freeze

[bermyandy]

From the auto sock website:

Are they approved for use on roads where snow chains are mandatory?

Per date, AutoSock is not approved as a snow chain according to the Önorm 5117. Nevertheless the areas where snow chains are mandatory are very limited.

Not sure what this means, but i know 'winter equipment' is mandatory to have in the car pretty much all over france in the winter. Not sure whether this would be classified as such. Although i guess if they sell them in french MSA's should be ok

[phelix]

This thread has been covered before; do a search on "chains" or "snow tyres". Bottom line is chains on the rear wheels with summer tyres on the front wheels is asking for serious trouble. 4 snow tyres is the only way to go. Then fit chains if you can/must or don't travel where/when they're required.

[cyberface]

You'll find my description of getting up the hill to Verbier in my 993 when they hadn't cleared the roads in that search as well... I had fitted winter tyres but it was still ridiculously unsafe.

I'd potentially consider winter tyres and auto socks, or those Spider things. Forget chains, even the low profile ones won't fit on 17" porsche wheels without trashing the wheelarch. You could fit narrow winter tyres on 16" rims and may have luck getting appropriate chains, but that's a hell of a palaver.

In short - don't even consider it without winter tyres. I'd also get snow socks this time as well. FWIW the winter tyres are worth it for British winters alone so they're not a waste of money. I'm using Pirelli Snow Sport tyres in the standard sizes, though given my snow driving experience it's probably worth going as narrow as you can on each rim.

[964Tom]

Thanks for the replies.

It seems I will need at least winter tyres if not more.

I can not find any snow socks to fit 18" wheels - I phoned them up and they said they do not make them that size.

Pirelli and Michelin both said they had no winter tyres that would fit in the country - 4 week + wait (I plan to go in 2 weeks!)

I wonder how difficult it would be to source Winter tyres in Europe?

Cyberface – where did you buy your winter tyres from?

Thanks

Tom

[mikeg996]

There's a write-up of new Michelin winter tyres in this month's GT Purely Porsche mag. Might be worth picking it up.

On a related matter, is it possible to get steel wheels for a 911? They would be perfect for running around in the snow as you wouldn't have to worry about them.

[cyberface]

964Tom said:

Cyberface – where did you buy your winter tyres from?

Elite Garages in Horsham - around £500 fitted for the set, including me squeezing all 4 summer tyres back into my 993 to drive home to Kent (yes, you can get 4 tyres and a driver into a 993 but I wouldn't recommend it at all!)

www.elitegarages.co.uk