2005 Outback Snow Chains

[Greg in IN]

Check this out.

http://groups.google.com/groups?as_q=subaru scc z chain. &num=10
0&hl=en

HTH,
Greg in IN

 

[Greg in IN]

Been a while since I've posted....
Try http://tinyurl.com/6pn7f and avoid the line wrap issues.

Greg in IN

 

[Hallraker]

Hi,

This brings back memories of when I would drive up to Mammoth Lakes from san
Diego to go skiing, back in the mid 1970's. I was driving a Chevy Vega GT
wagon with 70 series tires which barely cleared the wheel wells. There was
no hope of ever getting chains on that car. Because of the chain controls, I
carried a set of dummy chains in the car, just for the benefit of the CHP.
It was really absurd to see people stopped by the side of Highway 395,
putting their chains on, 30 miles before reaching the turnoff to Mammoth
Lakes. The CHP would flag people down as soon as they turned off Highway
395. Usually, there was a long line of cars pulled over with drivers
installing chains. I would make a show of putting on my chains. As soon as
the trooper was distracted by new arrivals, I would take off up the hill to
the village. I never got stuck, as I grew up in snow country. One of these
days, I'm going to try it in my Outback!

Is that why they require chains? I've never been to California and I've
been reading this thread thinking, dang, how much snow can they possibly get
over there?

-Matt

 

[Don.]

Just purchased 2005 Outback XT Limited. I was totally shocked to learn
it does not fit snow chains with stock tires. Not sure what Subaru is
thinking. Never crossed my mind to question chains before buying a
subaru. I know it's not often I need chains in a AWD, but once in a
while chains are mandatory on all cars and police will know I'm drivng
a car which does not allow chains. Anyone has any thoughs or
suggestions? Thanks.

I'm 75 and have been driving since I was 14. I lived in LA for about 20
years so that's a non-chain issue. But, I spent 30 years in Los Alamos
and Santa Fe, NM and commuted about 75 miles a day to work. I never used
chains, either on a Porsche or any other vehicle. Also had a '97 Sub in
Santa Fe and in Coeur d'Alene, ID. Driven on ice and snow (up to 12")
without any trouble, except for power at 10'000 foot elevation.

A little practice in an empty parking lot really pays off.

 

[David]

I have driven through snow as deep as the top of the headlights
the snow was getting pushed into the engine where you open the hood
why do you think you need chains?

We need them when they're required by law, which is all too frequently.
Less so an AWD & 4WD vehicles.

 

[ra sh]

I have driven through snow as deep as the top of the headlights
the snow was getting pushed into the engine where you open the hood
why do you think you need chains?
do you go through county forests off road?

 

[Andrew Webber]

In California and Nevada is same since in Tahoe it's all the same, not too
often when they actually MANDATE AWD to wear chains. But it actually
happens. More often though, they request you to CARRY chains with you.
That implies, as you can imagine, that you *CAN* put them on, if worse
comes to worst. Now, follow me, if I'm driving stock Outback 2005, police
may KNOW that the manufacturer does NOT allows chains on that vehicle.
They may tell me that I can't go, can they? I don't see why not.

I agree, the problem as described is pretty strange. However it might
be worth looking carefully at whether the law requires you to be able
to put the chains on (or even if it requires you to put them on), or
if it only says you have to carry them. Perhaps there have been cases
where people have argued the law says carry them only?

Yes that sounds stupid, and might not get you too far in an argument
at the side of the road, but if there have been precedents set, it
would be worth knowing.

=aw


andrew [(e-mail address removed)]

 

[Jack Hamilton]

Is that why they require chains? I've never been to California and I've
been reading this thread thinking, dang, how much snow can they possibly get
over there?

I-80 near Truckee (the site of the Donner Party) gets a lot of snow -
over 200 inches per year, with some ski resorts getting more than 400
inches (according to various web pages).

Snow in town has never been that high when I've been there, but
occasionally it comes down very fast, which is more of a concern for
travelers.



--

<> "There are some upon this earth of yours," returned the Spirit,
<> "who lay claim to know us, and who do their deeds of passion,
<> pride, ill-will, hatred, envy, bigotry, and selfishness in our
<> name, who are as strange to us and all our kith and kin,
<> as if they had never lived. Remember that, and charge their
<> doings on themselves, not us."
<>
<> The Ghost of Christmas Present