And possibly sliding through intersections into oncoming traffic. Summer tires like the RE070's will give you about as much traction in the snow as a hockey puck. If you plan to go up to Tahoe with any frequency at all, get a second set of wheels with some snow oriented all-seasons.

 

i went up in some snow and mad ice last season with SO3's. im still alive

 

I was up at Tahoe last year with some tired AVS intermediates- the passes were clear and wide open but I nearly wrecked my car just driving down a residential street with a slight downgrade at about 10 mph, just touched the brakes and lost all traction and began a very slow spin, I only stopped short of an intersection due to going tail-first into a snowbank in front of a driveway, but if there had been another car on this street or if I'd slid into the intersection, it could have been a disaster.

And the people that say RE92 are great in snow have never driven on real snow tires in snow, if you'll be up there much I'd say invest in real snow tires, but if only a few times a year, a decent set of all seasons will do.

At least get a set of Sumitomo HTR+'s or anything with an M+S rating, but don't risk it up there with summer tires, it isn't worth it- even if you only run into a snowbank- but especially if you have to use a tree or another car to stop

 

it is california state law that you MUST carry chains in snow country. Regardless of vehicle. You could have a 4wd dodge power wagon with monster meats on there...if the cop is a dick enough to check...you can get turned back or recieve a ticket.

I didn't have any in my wrx last year but I was prepared to have to purchase them at any time.

Basically if you don't drive like an idiot, you can drive in most snow conditions up in areas like tahoe and bear valley and what not because they take care of the roads. I had my car out at 4am in the biggest storm of the year last year...see pictures in my gallery.

BUT...BUT...there are conditions in which they will make even AWD/4WD with snow tires put on chains. They are rare but they do occur. Especially if you are up in areas away from major resorts.

So regardless of tires....if you plan on going to the snow more than once or twice a year...buy the chains. May sure you get cable chains...like z chains....or you will jack up your wheels.

My recommendation....pick up some rotas from someone...they can be beat to crap..who cares. Drop some blizzaks on them...be done with it.

I myself...don't have an sti. so I am gonna put some gnarlyl tires on my stock wheels and some summer tires on some rota 17's...possibly weds sa90's since I can get em for $1000 brand new.

There you go....I am a snow goer...hence my email address... thePowderhounds@gmail.com

haaa. that's why I got a wrx in the first place.

 

oh yeah, i went to tahoe on slicks.

re92's are not that good in snow, summer tires are suicidal, etc etc. get yourself a set of decent all seasons or dedicated snow tires.

 

michelin pilot sport a/s

the end.

 

I've driven up to tahoe in my RS countless times in the snow, a few times in ridiculous storms that closed the highway. No chains needed. They always wave me through chain control. As long as your tires are mud and snow rated (M+S) and aren't bald, you should be ok. I'd still avoid ice though.

By the way, I have continental extreme contacts, which are some pretty good all seasons.

j

 

M+S rating is a must. I had a set of Y rated falken's on my car last year that didn't have a M+S rating. i almost spun off hwy 50 right after the summit. pretty scary stuff.

 

Yup. You technically have to carry them. But I lived in Tahoe last winter and never once did anyone ask to see chains for my car.

Yup, but in California they will close the roads before this condition occurs. There is no telling, though, if you'll get caught on the road in this situtation inbetween checkpoiunts, hence the reason even AWD/4WD vehicles need to carry chains.

 

nKoan...true. I'm just saying. I have never been asked for chains in my wrx or the trucks I've driven..just...that got 4by.. me...there's a front diff isn't there?

So yeah...it's rare. That's why I said if the cop was a big enough dick...he can check. In our cars it's not likely.

And yeah in a lot of cases they will close the roads but I've been let through in just such conditions. But if you're staying up there you may need em. Personally if it gets that bad I make a phone call...ummm...boss...I'm snowed in. I'll be back soon as it brakes...then I wake my brother up and go...hey ***....get your clothes on we're going snowboarding..haa.

 

My buddy was required to chain up his 4WD Tundra last New Years near Mt. Shasta. That is the only time I've ever heard of this happening to anybody first hand in the 10 or so seasons I've been going to the snow, and it wasn't in Tahoe.

I have to believe that if the conditions get so bad, a shovel would be almost as good as traction devices on your tires. It is a good idea to have them, I guess.

 

now what if your car is lowered? would that pose a problem even with the stock tires?

 

Lowering won't really change any of the discussion that has happened in this thread. If you've got a WRX, the tires will get you through chain control, but if you've got the money you might want to get better all-season (m+s) tires or dedicated snow tires. If you have an STi, don't take it up until you get all-season or dedicated snow tires because the stock tires are decidedly not m+s rated.

You may have issues with scraping if you are crazy lowered, as the snow/ice covered roads are not very flat.