AWD and chains

[HansJob]

Stoopid question. Do cables/chains get put on the front or rear of AWD vehicles, or do I need a set of 4? I've always used studded tires but they're a waste here in the desert. Flame away

[kevin267]

Front

[hawkgt]

I've only used once to get out of drift, on front, removed after out

[iceclimb]

My owners manual says front. Check owners manual to be sure chains are ok.

[stuckathuntermtn]

another stoopid question: do you really need chains with AWD? Is it a legal thing?

[refried]

Front.
I only needed them once to get up a steep ice covered hill.

[Mofro261]

another stoopid question: do you really need chains with AWD? Is it a legal thing?

AWD with poor tires= 4 wheel spin. Chains +AWD will get you just about anywhere, including into trouble.

[snapt]

Get good all season tires? Chains are PITA.

[Jong Lafitte]

Depends on the type of vehicle (having a lot to do with center diff being used)...so, um, why don't u just tell us what kinda awd motorcar this question is in reference to chiefie?

[HansJob]

'14 Honda CRV. Driving to the local ski hill there are numerous signs posted saying chains required. I have Michelin AW tires.

[fatnslow]

'14 Honda CRV. Driving to the local ski hill there are numerous signs posted saying chains required. I have Michelin AW tires.

I think most areas that require chains will let you through if you have awd.

[liv2ski]

If you have AWD and All Season tires with tread on them, you are good to go 95% of the time. I have never had to put chains on my AWD Volvo wagon with AS tires on it and I have driven in some sketchy conditions.

[old goat]

AWD with poor tires= 4 wheel spin. Chains +AWD will get you just about anywhere, including into trouble.

when you're stuck in AWD/4WD you're twice as stuck.
Around here (CA), all cars including AWD and 4WD are supposed to carry chains but in 35 years of driving them I've never been checked. The only time I've ever seen R3 (4WD with chains only)--maybe twice in that period of time there was no place to go. Ski areas closed, stores closed. Only emergency vehicles needed to get anywhere. I do have a friend who has needed chains to get up his icy driveway in a Jeep Cherokee, and things get icy enough on Northwoods Blvd--a very steep main 2 lane road into a very large subdivision that it has to be closed (AWD doesn't help you slow down going downhill.) If I lived at the end of an unplowed mile long dirt road I would need chains, but I would also need a whole lot more ground clearance than my Suby's 9 inches. When you high center an AWD by driving in deep snow all the wheels stop turning.

[gravitylover]

^ Actually all the wheel keep turning but the vehicle stops going. Been there done that...

[neufox47]

'14 Honda CRV. Driving to the local ski hill there are numerous signs posted saying chains required. I have Michelin AW tires.

Check your state regs. Usually 4 wheel drive gets you by. Getting a snow tire that isnt made with soft rubber may help alot.

[bodywhomper]

This thread is awesome!

Don't forget about the spare....

[Rednaked]

Blizzacks...put 'em on in Nov...take 'em off in Apr...

[HansJob]

As always, thanks maggots!

[BCMtnHound]

Rules here are that chains go on the drive axle. I suppose on an AWD, the chains should go on the axle that supports the most weight, most likely the front. But ya, and the owners manual, wheel clearance, and type of chains are also important factors.

[bfree]

It depends how the differentials and torque converter are designed too. Most AWD cars send the majority of power to the front wheels (it's not 50/50, and in some cases as much as 90/10), so check the manual.

[LightRanger]

This thread is awesome!

Don't forget about the spare....

Definitely. Check the spare first, then chain up.

[HansJob]

Definitely. Check the spare first, then chain up.

Because why?

[guroo270]

Get good all season tires? Chains are PITA.

You mean no season tires? How's your Line Prophet 90's quiver of one treating you?

[riser4]

I know I am not the first person to say this. I still don't understand people who live in or regularly visit snow country and who do not run winter tires in the winter regardless of the number of drive wheels on their rig. And if you live somewhere like out west where it is possible to drive back and forth between snow and not snow in a couple of hours or less, then buy a good floor jack, an impact wrench, and mount the snow tires on aftermarket steel rims. As a bonus you will be able to find work with NASCAR in the summer.

[johnnyg82]

If you're in the CR-V, put them on the front wheels. The AWD system in those really doesn't send much if anything to the rear.