I'm sure this topic probably came up before but can't do search...

Has anyone here used tire chains on their maxima? Would this be an alternative to buying 4 winter/snow tires if I have all season on?

Also, when using tire chains, are there any precausions I should worry about? (max. driving speed?)

Thanks.

 

bump...

no one here used chains before?

 

I don't think you use them to drive more than a short distance with? I've seen them on the shelf, but never knew anyone who's used them.

 

I have used them before on my 2000 SE. The ones I used were from Pepboys and was called Suregrip Z-cables. The design of these z-cables over conventional snow chains is supposely superior. They offer lower tire wear, better traction, better for car equiped with ABS brakes, lower noise during driving, and ease of use. I drove on the cable for over 50 mile during one trip up the mountain and I felt very safe in that the cables were providing me with the need traction. As a note, my car is lowered with Eibach Prokit riding on stock 17" SE rim with Pilot Sport A/S tires. I had enough wheel gap to reach behind the tires to secure the hooks on these Z-cable on the tire. I would highly recommend these cable to anyone. Hope this helps you.

 

I dont know much about snow chains, so i have a few questions regarding them...
1. Im guessing you take them off and put them on only when it snows in the winter?
2. Is it okay to drive from dry(clean) roads to snowy roads? (highways will be cleaner than backroads)
3. how much do they cost?
4. Easy to put on?
Regarding question one, what i mean is that we shouldnt keep them on the whole winter but rather only put them on when it snows and then take them off when the roads are clean, correct?

 

First of all, I'm not sure about other states but here in MI, you'll get busted for having chains on your wheels; they will tear up the road like no other.

People will be dumb to drive w/ them chains on during perfectly fine day.

If you need tires but can't afford them, use them during snowy days. Otherwise, you are in for a very bumpy and noisy and slow ride.

 

Thanks for the replies guys. I just wasn't sure if I should invest in 4 snow tires or just throw on chains when there are heavy snow. The chains are so much cheaper. I'm in LI so it's a lot different than in the city. The back roads (and sometimes even the main streets) don't get cleaned as often as the city (Bronx, Queens, etc...) so the snow conditions are usually really bad.

I also understand that you shouldn't go too fast with chains. But even with snow tires with heavy snow, you wouldn't go fast anyway so I guess it doesn't make a difference. Also, the chains are so much easier to put on/off and I guess it would save me the work of jacking up the car to switch back and forth of tires during seasons.

 

why don't you just get all season performance tires?