Snow chains/cables?

If you have winter tires, you probably won't need chains.

You live in California though... go skiing a lot? Do you go enough to warrant getting an extra set of tires? Do you travel on roads which specially require you to have chains and/or winter tires?
 
Don't go skiing a lot however the CHP require chains on the roads to the ski slopes when there is a certain level of snow. They won't let you on the roads without them...
 
HMB_Cyclist said:
...CHP require chains on the roads to the ski slopes when there is a certain level of snow. They won't let you on the roads without them...
Click to expand...
This sounds so serious!
Ever think about just renting that large SUV for such rear occasions (rentals may also provide chains)? If these roads are truly not plowed and are as treacherous as it sounds, why risk getting suck? I’ve never hear of this kind of requirement when going to Vermont in the winter but they do plow main roads pretty well. I hope you are not going through back roads or something.

Or, if possible, trade/borrow a 4WD SUV from someone you know. Everyone knows someone with a SUV.
 
I'd be afraid of the false confidence a 4WD would provide. Your starting traction might be better but stopping is going to be no better or even worse than a FWD with the same all season tires. In BC, they don't care if you have FWD, RWD, 4WD, or AWD, you MUST have either winter tires or chains.

Either get a set of cable chains that Mazda approves of, or get winter tires or approved all-weather tires like the Hankook Optimo 4S or Nokian WR G2s.
 
I'm sure Canadians know a thing or two more about snow/ice better than we do.

I blast threw a winter storm (white out conditions) in an Impreza with all seasons but I attribute this more to the car than tires :D. 'My' main concern when it comes to winter is 1) Ice and 2) depth of snow. Other than that, I can get by ok with just about anything in NE winters (tried summer tires once –once..). No clue what its like in N. Cal or Canada but I tend to think this requirement is to protect people due to the geographical location where if you get stuck or slide into an accident, there's no one around to hear/help you. So, play it safe...
 
Silentnoise713 said:
I blast threw a winter storm (white out conditions) in an Impreza with all seasons but I attribute this more to the car than tires :D. 'My' main concern when it comes to winter is 1) Ice and 2) depth of snow. Other than that, I can get by ok with just about anything in NE winters (tried summer tires once –once..). No clue what its like in N. Cal or Canada but I tend to think this requirement is to protect people due to the geographical location where if you get stuck or slide into an accident, there's no one around to hear/help you. So, play it safe...
Click to expand...

Good all season tires with plenty of tread left + a good driver = yea you'll make it through. :)

Definitely agreed with the being on a remote highway part though.

 
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Thought about the SUV although the rental SUVs don't have snow tires. The CHP requires 4 wheel drive AND snow tires otherwise you need chains. I think I am going to go for some snow tires. Been looking into the Conti Extreme Contact which are supposedly decent dry/wet tires when not in the snow. Anyone use these before? A review on TireRack from someone in SoCal says they are OK in warm weather outside the snow. I figure I will get an extra set of steel wheels to put these on right before my first trip to the mountains and take them off at the end of the ski season.

Cheers,
Marc
 
Oh yeah, no off roading or remote roads. These are main roads to ski slopes or up the last grade to the ski slope towns. I grew up in Syracuse NY driving in all sorts of conditions in the mid 70s through the early 90's so driving skill not a problem. More worried about the bay area folks in their huge SUVs without winter tires that are over confident and don't have winter driving skills :)
 
in So Cal the place to get snowchains - cables is here - snowtraction.com - every set is fitted to your tires while you watch AND participate so you KNOW how to do it easily when the need arises
 
After our recent PNW pre-Thanksgiving snowfest, I just ordered a set of 205/55R-16 Bridgestone Blizzak WS70 from Discount Tire for $611 out the door and also purchased SCC Super Z6 SZ131 for $77 delivered from Vulcan Tire to my doorstep. Once the Blizzaks arrive - they will be mounted to a set of 16" Mazda Protege rims.

$700 bucks to keep my wife and kids save = well worth the money.

I love my set of Toyo Observe G02 studless snow tires on my 2000 VW Golf TDI, I hope the Blizzak's will deliver similar performance on the Mazda5.
 
Odd I don't like the Toyo Observe G-02 Plus on my 5. :( I want to get Bridgestone Blizzaks.
 
Are you in North Tacoma as in WA State? Sure you test out your Blizzaks and if you don't like them we can trade... but I think you'll really like them. :)
 
Hi All,

I have been using 205/55R-16 Continental ExtremeWinterContact XL with 16" steel rims from TireRack. They have been great in non-snow conditions here in CA- barely louder than stock tires and handle well although a bit mushier than stock. Just got back from the ski trip in the mountains and they were excellent!! Had to put on chains due to CHP regulations on one day. Purchased the SZ6 from SCC and had no problems whatsoever. Relatively easy to put on and worked great!!

Cheers,
Marc
 
Snow chains/cables are not legal in my part or of the world. I've got Pirelli Winter Carving on my 5 right now and they are amazing, excellent grip and don't get hard in the extreme cold (-15 in the mornings sometimes). On my last car I had Blizzaks for winter tires, what a complete waste of money!! Complete false advertising! They have less than zero grip in the snow and cold, and ICE dont even think about it or the blizzaks will start sliding! They were worse than the cheap all seasons that came with the car. Do yourself a favour and get some real winter tires, Pirellie, Hankook, Toyo's but stay far away from blizzaks!!!
 
Had a foot of snow at my in-law's down in Southern Oregon. Chained up my 5 with regular chains from Les Scwab with no problem. I went ahead and got them since the counterman said he put them on his girl's 3 with no problem. Also did a test fit with them. The only thing I'd suggest is stopping to retigthen twice and not just once like the instructions say.

I'm heading to central Oregon this week, so I'll do some further on road testing.
 
What Blizzak did you get though? Bridgestone has overused the Blizzak name, you can find them on the snow and ice tires and the performance winter tires... the performance winter tires will not be as good in the snow like real snow and ice tires.
 
josh1581 said:
Had a foot of snow at my in-law's down in Southern Oregon. Chained up my 5 with regular chains from Les Scwab with no problem. I went ahead and got them since the counterman said he put them on his girl's 3 with no problem. Also did a test fit with them. The only thing I'd suggest is stopping to retigthen twice and not just once like the instructions say.

I'm heading to central Oregon this week, so I'll do some further on road testing.
Click to expand...


What chains did you get from Scwab's? Approx. cost?
 
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