YO !

Happy new years ppl!!

I'm pretty excited! I have finally got some time off work to go to the snow this weekend! And I am going to take my wrx to see the snow for the first time!! w00t!! w00t!!

I'm not exactly sure how good or bad the weather is expecting to be but I think there will be a storm sometime soon this week.
I was wondering about my trip over to the snow and I wasn't exactly sure where else to turn but here with a few questions.

I've got toyo proxes 4's with about 10k miles on them, new and beefy rain x wiper blades, and I'm not a crazy rally driver...

I guess my question is, if the roads are pretty icey or full of heavy snow, would I need chains? are there any what to-do's or what not-to-do's?! Do I need to prep anything? Or have anything just in case for the drive there?
Sorry for the super Newbie snow questions, thanks for the input and thoughts in advance!!

 

You shouldn't need chains with AWD. But I do remember a few years ago (?4-6 years?) They were stopping people on the 88 to make sure they had chains even AWD cars. people were getting sent back left and right that didn't have chains. -you don't have to put them on, just have it in your car in case the weather gets really bad (at least that's what they told me).

I haven't seen them do it anymore since that day, but then again we haven't been getting great snow for a few years.

 

I've always played by the rule: if it's so bad that you need chains on an AWD vehicle you probably shouldn't be driving anyway. I carry chains for the "oh ****" factor but I've never had to use them on my car. I believe temperature is what impacts a tires ability to grip the road so be aware even when snow and ice are absent.

 

They still do if the weather gets bad. They were asking us if we had chains even though we had snow rated tires on our 4x4 chevy diesel.

Watch for black ice, it can hide and come out of nowhere. Drive safe and watch your speed.

 

Will do!!! Thank you all for your input!!! I appreciate it very much!!! I've heard and seen some pretty nasty videos on cars + black ice!! That seems pretty intimidating. If I drive at a safe speed black ice shouldn't be a problem
right?

 

You will probably be fine on main roads. They'll be pretty warm from the traffic. Just avoid hard breaking and accelerating. Either will cause a slide, regardless of ice (this is assuming snow on the road).

If you hit ice, there isn't much you can do other than go straight. If you hit an icy hill or driveway, you will need chains or cables. I'm running a set of Kumho asx and had to put on the cables to get up our steep driveway.

Other than that, be cautious of other drivers. If there's snow on the road, it's safer to just assume everyone is going to slide. Keep your distance, be prepared and have some fun!

 

Of course, drive slowly if it is snowing and don't worry if others pass you. The lane markers on the road will be covered with snow, so stay in the tracks of other cars. If you have to change lanes think "smooth smooth smooth". No sudden or jerky movements.
You are required by law to carry "chains" (cable traction device is fine and preferred), but I was never once asked to show them in the dozens of trips I've taken to the Sierra's during snow storms.
Bring salty snacks and water with you - it's a holiday weekend and if it snows (probably on your way home) you could be stuck in traffic a while.

Also - stop for gas east of Sacramento not only to top off the tank, but to buy windshield washer fluid that is rated for cold weather. The stuff they sell in the Bay Area will freeze in Tahoe, so on your way to Sac, spray the hell out of your washers to drain the tank or just drain most of it before you leave home so you can fill up the reservoir with stuff that won't freeze. You will absolutely need it if it is snowing. The amount of crap that gets kicked up on your windshield is mind boggling.
Another thing to be aware of - the boost feels more like an "on/off" switch at altitude compared to sea level. Be aware and ready for it.

Finally - you lucky bastard. I want to go to Tahoe and ride some of this powder that's been falling! Have fun.

 

i know i might be a little too late to hop in this thread but i might as well put in my two cents...

i was actually in tahoe this past week on the 12th and 13th.. technically you do need chains even if you have an AWD drive car.. mainly because some of the people up that regulate it can be a**holes and will require them but for the most part they would let you pass.. if anything, swing to a nearby walmart and buy some snow cables/chains, if you end up not needing them, you can always return them. dont try and Kragen or an auto parts store because 1. its most likely going to be more expensive and 2. most of them dont allow returns on snow chains even if they arent used, all sales are final which sux for chains... know from experience since i work at a kragen..

also.. try not to be to reliant on the what the news says what the weather is going to be like. when i went up, it was suppose to be snowing kinda with a storm but it barely snowed, only snowed over night..

btw.. BlingBlingBlue, i went to Heavenly on the 13th, the snow was freakin awesome.. weather was a little bit too cold and windy though.. but for the most part.. powder heaven..

 

If you have snow tires then you don't need chains on the front tires, although you might need to show that you have them just in case. They usually close the roads before it gets to the point AWD/4WD need chains.

 

quick question: i need to put the chains on the front wheels or on the real wheels if they need (i only got a pair)?

 

IF you NEED to, for most Subies it's the front wheels only.