WRX's in Tahoe
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WRX's in Tahoe
I have a question about chain req's and WRX's. I think Caltrans has three ratings for snowy roads. R1 means that chains are required unless you have snow tires. R2 means that only 4WD with snow tires can go without chains and R3 means all vehicles have to have chains without exception. Does this mean that a WRX with stock tires would need chains in R1 conditions? If you get snow tires are you fine under R2? Thanks.
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As far as I know, you will never need chains. R3 conditions will pretty close the road any way. So no you will not need chains, just tires that say M+S like the RE-92's do.
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Yep, for Caltrans purposes, snow tires are defined as having M+S stamped on the sidewall and they almost always close the roads before declaring a R3 condition.
Bear in mind, however, that despite the way the law is written, M+S tires are NOT snow tires!!! Any time you may encounter a snow storm, be prepared and go slow!
Make sure you have a full tank of gas. Last winter I saw a gas station close with about fifteen people waiting in line to fuel up (***** *** mountain lady running the shop was ready to go home). Warm clothes, blankets, water and a collapsable shovel are good ideas as well.
I drove on my stock tires last winter through a few storms in Tahoe. They will be OK if you are very cautious. They don't stop or turn well in the snow and you will get used to your ABS pulsing against your foot.
Bear in mind, however, that despite the way the law is written, M+S tires are NOT snow tires!!! Any time you may encounter a snow storm, be prepared and go slow!
Make sure you have a full tank of gas. Last winter I saw a gas station close with about fifteen people waiting in line to fuel up (***** *** mountain lady running the shop was ready to go home). Warm clothes, blankets, water and a collapsable shovel are good ideas as well.
I drove on my stock tires last winter through a few storms in Tahoe. They will be OK if you are very cautious. They don't stop or turn well in the snow and you will get used to your ABS pulsing against your foot.
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While I have never had to put chains on any of my subies up there, they have asked (once) to see my chains to make sure I had them in the car. Accoring to the chain control guy the law requires that you have chains with you. I also concurr with the others, I have never seen R3 conditions declared, usually they just close the road.
Also, for Cali, M+S tires are considered snow tires (so you are good in R1 and R2 on the stockies). Looking for tiny black on black writing at night in the snow pretty hard so when you go through chain control they usually do not look for the M+S on the tire, they look for good deep tread that goes and exits at the edge of the tire (shoulder? not sure of the terminology).
-chris
Also, for Cali, M+S tires are considered snow tires (so you are good in R1 and R2 on the stockies). Looking for tiny black on black writing at night in the snow pretty hard so when you go through chain control they usually do not look for the M+S on the tire, they look for good deep tread that goes and exits at the edge of the tire (shoulder? not sure of the terminology).
-chris
hey there
i hav seen R3 and it is ugly. in fact, i drove in those conditionsmany times, but that was in a fire recue unit...
usually they will close the roads when it gets that bad. and if the roads are open, you don't want to be on them anyway. just stay put and enjoy the fact tons of snow is falling for that epic pow day the next morning. there is nothing better than worrying about slough management or sloughology for that huge powder day.
when i lived up there, i never had chains, and was never asked about chains. the wire ones are not that expensive, and in some cases they can aid in getting unstuck if you happen to get stuck. trust me, awd does NOT mean you are impervious to getting high centered or stuck in a rut or berm. like someone said, arry a small shovel at the least to help when it really gets deap.
honestly, it rarely gets THAT bad in Tahoe. the six years i lived up there were some of the biggest in recorded history snowfall wise, and only a handful of times did i ever have any trouble. the key is to realize the limits of your car, and that mother nature carries a WAY big stick, and to not mess with her. drive defensivly(sp?). the SUV drivers are idiots, and many people have no clue how to drive in the snow. they think there SUV is THE answer and awd negates the fact the ground is icy. they usually find out the hard way, and might take you with them. so BE CAREFUL
man i can't wait to make some turns...
josh
i hav seen R3 and it is ugly. in fact, i drove in those conditionsmany times, but that was in a fire recue unit...
usually they will close the roads when it gets that bad. and if the roads are open, you don't want to be on them anyway. just stay put and enjoy the fact tons of snow is falling for that epic pow day the next morning. there is nothing better than worrying about slough management or sloughology for that huge powder day.
when i lived up there, i never had chains, and was never asked about chains. the wire ones are not that expensive, and in some cases they can aid in getting unstuck if you happen to get stuck. trust me, awd does NOT mean you are impervious to getting high centered or stuck in a rut or berm. like someone said, arry a small shovel at the least to help when it really gets deap.
honestly, it rarely gets THAT bad in Tahoe. the six years i lived up there were some of the biggest in recorded history snowfall wise, and only a handful of times did i ever have any trouble. the key is to realize the limits of your car, and that mother nature carries a WAY big stick, and to not mess with her. drive defensivly(sp?). the SUV drivers are idiots, and many people have no clue how to drive in the snow. they think there SUV is THE answer and awd negates the fact the ground is icy. they usually find out the hard way, and might take you with them. so BE CAREFUL
man i can't wait to make some turns...
josh
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"mother nature carries a WAY big stick"
word
"the SUV drivers are idiots, and many people have no clue how to drive in the snow."
WORD - One time (at band camp) I was in the back seat of my buddy's girlfriend's 4Runner and we got waved through chain control. We were soon stuck. She did not know where the button to turn on the 4WD was located. The rig had 70K miles on the clock. I seriously could not believe it. You paid extra for that feature, and you had no idea it was there. She was really cute though!
"man i can't wait to make some turns..."
WORD!!! Oh man am I jonesin'
word
"the SUV drivers are idiots, and many people have no clue how to drive in the snow."
WORD - One time (at band camp) I was in the back seat of my buddy's girlfriend's 4Runner and we got waved through chain control. We were soon stuck. She did not know where the button to turn on the 4WD was located. The rig had 70K miles on the clock. I seriously could not believe it. You paid extra for that feature, and you had no idea it was there. She was really cute though!
"man i can't wait to make some turns..."
WORD!!! Oh man am I jonesin'
Last edited by BlingBlingBlue; Dec 4, 2002 at 03:27 PM.
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I live in truckee and drive an 02 WRX as my daily driver and before that an 00 legacy. Its true the original equipment RE92s count as snow tyres as far as the chain control guys go but they dont provide great traction on the snow. I have 17" prodrive rims with S03 rubber on them for the summer and track days and the original rims with Blizzak MZ-01s for the snow season. They are obviously not as good as studded snows but they are rated at up to 99mph so I dont have to change wheels or drive slow on trips down to the bay area. They do wear fast though.
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Great feedback all. I usually go up to Tahoe 2 or 3 times a season so I just wanted to make sure that tires that aren't officially snow tires would work for those purposes. I'll be using my money for mods on other stuff.
I've driven a bunch of crappy cars to Tahoe so I know that going slow and avoiding SUVs (esp. those with license frames that identify them as Bay Area folks) are the ways to go. I've been up there a couple times in R3 conditions. Best thing to do then is light a fire with a lady friend and make use of the bear skin rug
. On another note, can somebody make it snow? I'm dying over here.
I've driven a bunch of crappy cars to Tahoe so I know that going slow and avoiding SUVs (esp. those with license frames that identify them as Bay Area folks) are the ways to go. I've been up there a couple times in R3 conditions. Best thing to do then is light a fire with a lady friend and make use of the bear skin rug
. On another note, can somebody make it snow? I'm dying over here.
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You should definitely carry chains with you. The CHP guys almost always ask to see chains even if they don't make you put them on. Also, I don't think I've ever been in R3 conditions so I don't know. I carry 4 chains just so I can roost all over everybody if necessary. 
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From: Santa Cruz, California
Originally posted by unity
If we have a really snowy winter and get into R3 conditions, and you actually do need to chain up, I think the WRX's and all AWD's need 4 chains, not just 2. Can someone confirm?
If we have a really snowy winter and get into R3 conditions, and you actually do need to chain up, I think the WRX's and all AWD's need 4 chains, not just 2. Can someone confirm?
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From: Fairfield, CA
Car Info: 1998 Chevy S10... lowww
Originally posted by Kostamojen
Ive seen a number of SUV's doing spins down I-80... Its hilarious.
Ive seen a number of SUV's doing spins down I-80... Its hilarious.
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