Chains on lowered 3

[mikelebz]

Hello all,
I have searched but have found nothing.

So, I have a lowered 3 sedan on tein S-techs. there have been a few around 20-inch blizzards here in DC recently and am wondering this for future years to come...
I have pretty new all seasons on my stock rims that I have been using for winters, but they just don't cut it in the snow (DC does a bad job plowing...they might as well just not do it...)

First of all, I realize that I should have gotten snow tires, but it's too late for that. Would chains work on a lowered car? are there any cons to it?

and for future tires... would snow tires be a better bet than chains? I'd like your opinions.

thanks for all your help and stay safe in the snow if you have any!

-Mike

 

[MakeMeGoFast]

Chains would be better for a climate where snow is gonna be on the ground for the whole season. Otherwise you gonna have to take them on and off for the couple days the snow actually lasts. Snow tires are worth there weight in gold, I haven't had any trouble since I've had them. So these last couple of storms I've been able to drive around very confidently. I'm getting hit with the same storms as you to as I'm up in Philly. I've got my snow tires on my stock wheels and have a separate setup for summer. Most people just buy cheap steel wheels to throw the snow tires on.

As far as the chains go, I'd be worried about them 1. screwing up the stock rims and 2. the chains extending out a bit and making contacting the fender and inner lining.

How much room between the tire and fenders?

 

[mikelebz]

I don't have very much room at all. you're right... I guess the chains wouldn't be worth the effort or the possibility of anything bad happening. Just sucks cause I have these pretty damn new all seasons and they're worth s*** in the snow and have a summer set-up as well.

what would be the pros/cons of snow tires on the steel rims vs. the stock?
I know why people put steel rims on during the winter :
http://www.driversense.com/driversense/story_ss/314
, but why in place of the stock ones? is it because they sell the stock rims?

 

[MakeMeGoFast]

They sell them or they use them with their summer tires. Not really a pros/cons thing, more of a convenience thing to me. Rather then buying the steel wheels I just used my stockers for my winter setup. If you already have a summer setup, just throw the winter tires on the stockers.

 

[mikelebz]

thank you for your help

 

[kwidness]

Just for reference... I live in Minnesota and no one here even uses chains besides large trucks, and you cant use them on the roadways anyways. Winter tires with steel rims are best, and if that doesnt cut it... ride the bus. Even if you had chains, your car would be too low and just snowplow and slow you down alot. Chains also are such a HUGE PITA to put on!