Winter tyres and snow chains for dummies!!

[TeamLee]

Hi there,
We’re taking the Cali to the French Alps in January and need to get winter tyres. I’ve read loads of threads but I’m still a bit unsure. Hope you can help.
Currently I have Devonport alloys with 235/55/17 factory fitted tyres. I see it’s recommended to get 215 tyres. Does that mean I need new wheels? What size would fit on my current alloys without new wheels.
Also, do you need snow chains on 2 front wheels only, or on all 4 wheels?
Told you it was advice for dummies!!

 

[paradise city]

I can't answer the tyre size question.

The snow chains are only for the front 2 wheels, even on a 4motion.

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[Trebor]

Hi there,
We’re taking the Cali to the French Alps in January and need to get winter tyres. I’ve read loads of threads but I’m still a bit unsure. Hope you can help.
Currently I have Devonport alloys with 235/55/17 factory fitted tyres. I see it’s recommended to get 215 tyres. Does that mean I need new wheels? What size would fit on my current alloys without new wheels.
Also, do you need snow chains on 2 front wheels only, or on all 4 wheels?
Told you it was advice for dummies!!

Hi Team Lee . 215 tyres are best for winters . They do fit standard alloys . People usually get a set of steel wheels and leave winters on steels then it’s just straight swop for summer . Alternatively you could fit 4 season tyres on your alloys and leave on all year .
I have a set of Husky snow chains for front wheels bought from Club shop for cali for sale in used accessories section here . They’re unused . Selling because they don’t fit my BF Goodrich tyres now .

 

[Calimili]

No new wheels needed, in the long run it may be more convenient to mount winter tyres on a separate set of wheels too. chains just for front .

 

[bigmac77]

Do you need winter tyres? I’m not certain you do, if not just get a set of chains. Far cheaper than four new tyres and you may find you don’t need them most of the valley routes are free of snow and it’s only the mountain roads that tend to get covered with any degree of regularity. The snow clearing is carried of quickly and efficiently.

Anyone with local knowledge wish to clarify whether winter tyres are required in the French Alps?

 

[Beeechke1]

Hi this link covers the requirements across Europe, in short the answer is in France No for Winter Tyres and Yes for Snow Chains, and the Gendarmerie do often check before allowing you up to resort if its snowing.

Snow Chains Winter Tyres | AA

Find out if you need winter tyres or snow chains when driving in Europe – the rules vary by country.

www.theaa.com

 

[paradise city]

I had neither last year and almost came a cropper outside Tignes! Have both this year so feeling a lot more confident for a run to the Alpes.

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[clarinetbcn]

Do you need winter tyres? I’m not certain you do, if not just get a set of chains. Far cheaper than four new tyres and you may find you don’t need them most of the valley routes are free of snow and it’s only the mountain roads that tend to get covered with any degree of regularity. The snow clearing is carried of quickly and efficiently.

Anyone with local knowledge wish to clarify whether winter tyres are required in the French Alps?

It's not just about snow, at low winter temperatures the composition of summer tires becomes hard and inflexible, leading to a smaller footprint and reduced adhesion even on dry roads.

 

[bigmac77]

It's not just about snow, at low winter temperatures the composition of summer tires becomes hard and inflexible, leading to a smaller footprint and reduced adhesion even on dry roads.

Not necessarily, in dry conditions summers tyres would probably stop quicker. Anyway I’m not advocating anyone should take any risks but don’t get hung up on buying winter tyres for what may be a one week trip from the UK to the Alps. Chains yes, tyres no.

 

[clarinetbcn]

This very informative video supports that, but watch out when it gets wet at about 2 degrees!

Winter tyres?

Best analysis I've seen:

vwcaliforniaclub.com

Look likes all seasons are the best choice for OP.

 

[Kenny Marsh]

Hi TeamLeee, I'm in Tignes now and have winter tyres on my winter 16" steels, it has been dumping it down with snow and I cannot believe how good the tyre grip is. France was supposed to be making winter tyres a legal requirement, not sure where they are with that but as others have said chains are a mandatory requirement up the mountain. If I'd not had winter tyres I'd have been blessed with fitting my chains several times last week and that's not a nice job in these temperatures and conditions. I came out last year without winter tyres and it's scary, you cannot drive everywhere on cleared roads with chains and people sometimes unfortunately wait until they are stuck before fitting chains which causes major tailbacks on these narrow roads, which is dangerous. Highly recommend winter tyres, have a great trip.

 

[Exige]

Glad to hear about the snow in Tignes. We will be there in two weeks. In relation to tyres absolutely agree about benefits of winter tyres. I think you really need both winter tyres & chains to be safe & stress free. Winter tyres cope with 90% of driving (slush etc) & the chains for when it gets serious. Do practice putting the chains on before you go. I’m getting quick practiced now, but still a bit stressful when on the side of a road, snowing hard & family watching!

 

[sbmcd]

Glad to hear about the snow in Tignes. We will be there in two weeks. In relation to tyres absolutely agree about benefits of winter tyres. I think you really need both winter tyres & chains to be safe & stress free. Winter tyres cope with 90% of driving (slush etc) & the chains for when it gets serious. Do practice putting the chains on before you go. I’m getting quick practiced now, but still a bit stressful when on the side of a road, snowing hard & family watching!

Last time I had to put on chains it was a night in a blizzard, do not forget you will probably need overgear, decent gloves you can fit chains with on, a snow shovel to clear round the wheels and a head torch. That is why it is much better to have decent snow tyres than just summers and chains, chains should be seen as a last resort in my opinion. I also believe auto tensioning chains are worth paying extra for so you do not have to stop to tighten.

I use these https://snowchains.co.uk/product/?brand=Weissenfels&model=Clack-and-Go-SUV&pID=RTS-107&p=RTS

 

[BenM]

Hi there,
We’re taking the Cali to the French Alps in January and need to get winter tyres. I’ve read loads of threads but I’m still a bit unsure. Hope you can help.
Currently I have Devonport alloys with 235/55/17 factory fitted tyres. I see it’s recommended to get 215 tyres. Does that mean I need new wheels? What size would fit on my current alloys without new wheels.
Also, do you need snow chains on 2 front wheels only, or on all 4 wheels?
Told you it was advice for dummies!!

Hi TeamLee - did you end up with chains for 235/55/17?
Have the same dilemma!
Ben