Mr.Debo'sS4

I am interested in knowing how you are set up to drive in the Sierras. I live in SF and am going to throw down for a set of 17" Blizzak LM-22s by the end of the month. I want to know if I will still have to abide by the chain laws on the I-80 Circus.

Prior to living in SF, I lived in the Colorado Rockies for 13 years and never had to "chain up." I was driving an SUV then, but never had dedicated winter tires on it, only all seasons. Of course, California being the home of the mixed nut assortment, the winter drivers here are the worst and make everyone on the road suffer for their poor judgement.

But I don't want to rant... just want to get a sense of what I'll need for my high speed quad(tro).

Thanks.

Vtec_Killer

in the trunk. You don't have to put them on, just have them in the trunk.

I only put my snow tires on when I travel to Tahoe or where I need snows. I take them off when I am back in the Bay.

I live in Santa Clara.

Mr.Debo'sS4

Where did you get yours? How much? Why have them if you don't put them on?

Also, do you keep your snows on separate rims, or change or mount them in advance? I'm going to need some new Bay Area rubber and am probably going to get some 18's to put them on. My thinking is that I know when I am going to go up to the mountains with enough advance warning that I can have my Avus 17's mounted with the Blizzaks and throw them on as needed and not wear the treads out on my daily slog back and forth between SF and Campbell.

Andy Hedin

...search the archives and you'll turn up many, many warnings about the small clearance between the tires and expensive suspension components. I believe you can only run chains/cables if you're using a 205-55-16 snow tire on the S4.

Vtec_Killer

they are required by law to have them though.

I have snows mounted on my Stock wheels and have another set of wheels for the summer.

August West

Chain requirements are as follows for Calif.

R1- Chains or Snow Tires required.

R2- Chains or 4WD with Snow Tires required.

R3- Chains required on all vehicals.

Basically, R3 means horizontally blowing snow with white out conditions. You do not want to be driving at all no matter what you are in. For R2 (the usual condition) you have to have chains in the trunk but not on the car. I have never had them ask to look in the trunk. As long as your tires are "M+S" rated you pass. So just throw any old chains in the trunk and you are set. You will not be putting them on.