Snow chains on mazda 3 Yay or Nay

[ichigo_kurosaki]

I am the proud owner of a new 2010 Mazda 3 (12 miles on it) but I live in Oregon and I worry that when the wheather get worse and the snow rolls in I may need snow chains. Does anyone have a suggestion or opinion on this subject? Should I use chains at all? (for fear of damage to the wheels) should I get studded tires or does this car have enough traction control to not worry?

 

[rochrunner]

We live in Michigan with our '08 Mazda3 5-door. The stock all-season tires were very poor in the snow (constant trac-control activation), so I bought a set of Dunlop winter tires on steel wheels from tirerack.com and we couldn't be happier. We had a snowier-than-usual winter last year and the car went through it with no problems. The right tires make a huge difference!

 

[Chibana]

I agree with rochrunner. I have a set of Hankook Winter I*Pike tires. That, combined with the Quaife differential I had installed a few years ago, make my Mazda3 great in snow and ice.

 

[thejeans]

jsut invest in a good set of snow tires and youll be fine, my 3 is a tank in the snow with the snow treads on

 

[CTt3P5]

jsut invest in a good set of snow tires and youll be fine, my 3 is a tank in the snow with the snow treads on

What he said!!! And don't forget to clean the snow off your car. (evil)

 

[Zoomzoom17]

Agree with all of them. I've heard chains don't work on 3's. Winter Tires are better because the chains will rub the wheels and dent/scratch them. Better to go with something that works really well and doesn't ruin a great ride.

 

[PATMAN65]

My "08 sedan had the stock goodyears,17" on it last winter, terrible!!
I put a pair of hankook w409's on the front this year. big difference! don't give up on your 3. i was pissed until i put snows on it.