Moisture Wednesday
Moist IT Outsourcing Services
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 5,331
From: Indian Ocean
Car Info: Mahindra Tractor
Churro Aficionado
iTrader: (38)
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 54,661
From: IG - @thomas.teammoist
Car Info: IG - @TEAMMOISTOFFICIAL
Call me Pebbles
iTrader: (11)
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 5,908
From: I do all my own physics.
Car Info: Moist
Everyone in the unit took time off around Christmas, so I took it after New Year's. 
There are 3 levels of chain restrictions, per CalTRANS:
Level 1: Chains on drive-axle of all vehicles EXCEPT 4WD/AWD vehicles.
Level 2: Chains on drive-axle of all vehicles EXCEPT 4WD/AWD vehicles equipped with snow-tread tires (per CalTRANS, "snow-tread tires" are tires with the letters MS, M/S, M+S or the words MUD AND SNOW have been stamped into the sidewalls). 4WD/AWD vehicles are required to carry chains.
Level 3: Chains or traction devices required on all vehicles, no exceptions.
Reality:
Any level chain restriction, I wouldn't bother if you're on summer/non-M+S tires, which the Dunlop SP01 tires are very much not (found this out the hard way.. twice). Subaru's AWD system on the WRXs is pretty useless with summer tires. If you get stuck or start sliding, all the power will go to the slipping wheel/axle and you're hosed because you won't regain traction with more power. Like Chicken said, the roads will most likely be closed before Level 3 is enforced so chains on a Subaru isn't really an issue UNLESS you insist on running summer tires and put chains on for Level 2.
In all the times I've gone up when chain restrictions were in place (Level 1 and 2), I've never been stopped in the Subaru, not even to check tire rating or if we have chains. They see it's a Subaru and wave us through. This isn't to say they won't ever check. They can turn you around if there have been a lot of vaping retards wrecking so they start checking AWD cars for chains and you don't have them.
TL;DR -- Get M+S for traction and safety sake. If there's enough snow on the ground or coming down that they do put up chain restrictions, you'll WANT an M+S rated tire rather than looking like the idiot who wrecked their Subaru at 5mph in the snow because AWDBROOZZZZZ!!!
What he said. Check first though, some places (like Kragen) won't let you return chains even if they're unused.
Yep. Almost wrecked both cars (separate instances) on those garbage Dunlop SP01s the GRs and GVs came with. At least the WRX GDs and GGs came with not horrible all-weather Eagle GTs.
Level 1: Chains on drive-axle of all vehicles EXCEPT 4WD/AWD vehicles.
Level 2: Chains on drive-axle of all vehicles EXCEPT 4WD/AWD vehicles equipped with snow-tread tires (per CalTRANS, "snow-tread tires" are tires with the letters MS, M/S, M+S or the words MUD AND SNOW have been stamped into the sidewalls). 4WD/AWD vehicles are required to carry chains.
Level 3: Chains or traction devices required on all vehicles, no exceptions.
Reality:
Any level chain restriction, I wouldn't bother if you're on summer/non-M+S tires, which the Dunlop SP01 tires are very much not (found this out the hard way.. twice). Subaru's AWD system on the WRXs is pretty useless with summer tires. If you get stuck or start sliding, all the power will go to the slipping wheel/axle and you're hosed because you won't regain traction with more power. Like Chicken said, the roads will most likely be closed before Level 3 is enforced so chains on a Subaru isn't really an issue UNLESS you insist on running summer tires and put chains on for Level 2.
In all the times I've gone up when chain restrictions were in place (Level 1 and 2), I've never been stopped in the Subaru, not even to check tire rating or if we have chains. They see it's a Subaru and wave us through. This isn't to say they won't ever check. They can turn you around if there have been a lot of vaping retards wrecking so they start checking AWD cars for chains and you don't have them.
TL;DR -- Get M+S for traction and safety sake. If there's enough snow on the ground or coming down that they do put up chain restrictions, you'll WANT an M+S rated tire rather than looking like the idiot who wrecked their Subaru at 5mph in the snow because AWDBROOZZZZZ!!!
Yep. Almost wrecked both cars (separate instances) on those garbage Dunlop SP01s the GRs and GVs came with. At least the WRX GDs and GGs came with not horrible all-weather Eagle GTs.
In Russia, Title Choose You.
iTrader: (29)
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 5,858
From: Sacramento/Rancho
Car Info: Everywhere
Everyone in the unit took time off around Christmas, so I took it after New Year's.
There are 3 levels of chain restrictions, per CalTRANS:
Level 1: Chains on drive-axle of all vehicles EXCEPT 4WD/AWD vehicles.
Level 2: Chains on drive-axle of all vehicles EXCEPT 4WD/AWD vehicles equipped with snow-tread tires (per CalTRANS, "snow-tread tires" are tires with the letters MS, M/S, M+S or the words MUD AND SNOW have been stamped into the sidewalls). 4WD/AWD vehicles are required to carry chains.
Level 3: Chains or traction devices required on all vehicles, no exceptions.
Reality:
Any level chain restriction, I wouldn't bother if you're on summer/non-M+S tires, which the Dunlop SP01 tires are very much not (found this out the hard way.. twice). Subaru's AWD system on the WRXs is pretty useless with summer tires. If you get stuck or start sliding, all the power will go to the slipping wheel/axle and you're hosed because you won't regain traction with more power. Like Chicken said, the roads will most likely be closed before Level 3 is enforced so chains on a Subaru isn't really an issue UNLESS you insist on running summer tires and put chains on for Level 2.
In all the times I've gone up when chain restrictions were in place (Level 1 and 2), I've never been stopped in the Subaru, not even to check tire rating or if we have chains. They see it's a Subaru and wave us through. This isn't to say they won't ever check. They can turn you around if there have been a lot of vaping retards wrecking so they start checking AWD cars for chains and you don't have them.
TL;DR -- Get M+S for traction and safety sake. If there's enough snow on the ground or coming down that they do put up chain restrictions, you'll WANT an M+S rated tire rather than looking like the idiot who wrecked their Subaru at 5mph in the snow because AWDBROOZZZZZ!!!
What he said. Check first though, some places (like Kragen) won't let you return chains even if they're unused.
Yep. Almost wrecked both cars (separate instances) on those garbage Dunlop SP01s the GRs and GVs came with. At least the WRX GDs and GGs came with not horrible all-weather Eagle GTs.
There are 3 levels of chain restrictions, per CalTRANS:
Level 1: Chains on drive-axle of all vehicles EXCEPT 4WD/AWD vehicles.
Level 2: Chains on drive-axle of all vehicles EXCEPT 4WD/AWD vehicles equipped with snow-tread tires (per CalTRANS, "snow-tread tires" are tires with the letters MS, M/S, M+S or the words MUD AND SNOW have been stamped into the sidewalls). 4WD/AWD vehicles are required to carry chains.
Level 3: Chains or traction devices required on all vehicles, no exceptions.
Reality:
Any level chain restriction, I wouldn't bother if you're on summer/non-M+S tires, which the Dunlop SP01 tires are very much not (found this out the hard way.. twice). Subaru's AWD system on the WRXs is pretty useless with summer tires. If you get stuck or start sliding, all the power will go to the slipping wheel/axle and you're hosed because you won't regain traction with more power. Like Chicken said, the roads will most likely be closed before Level 3 is enforced so chains on a Subaru isn't really an issue UNLESS you insist on running summer tires and put chains on for Level 2.
In all the times I've gone up when chain restrictions were in place (Level 1 and 2), I've never been stopped in the Subaru, not even to check tire rating or if we have chains. They see it's a Subaru and wave us through. This isn't to say they won't ever check. They can turn you around if there have been a lot of vaping retards wrecking so they start checking AWD cars for chains and you don't have them.
TL;DR -- Get M+S for traction and safety sake. If there's enough snow on the ground or coming down that they do put up chain restrictions, you'll WANT an M+S rated tire rather than looking like the idiot who wrecked their Subaru at 5mph in the snow because AWDBROOZZZZZ!!!
What he said. Check first though, some places (like Kragen) won't let you return chains even if they're unused.
Yep. Almost wrecked both cars (separate instances) on those garbage Dunlop SP01s the GRs and GVs came with. At least the WRX GDs and GGs came with not horrible all-weather Eagle GTs.
I pretty much never go up, ever, so I aint tryin to be brave or cool.
If I find some to borrow, I will, otherwise I guess I'll just have a set of chains just in case.
Dirty Purple Ukrainian
iTrader: (1)
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 4,431
From: In the Purple Land
Car Info: SUBARU BROOM
You have no idea how many people start calling and asking about chains for there subaru, when i try to enplane that you don't need them on awd cuz if you have good all season tires or winter, you are ok. If the roads are really bad they wont let anyone go.
Moist IT Outsourcing Services
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 5,331
From: Indian Ocean
Car Info: Mahindra Tractor
Everyone in the unit took time off around Christmas, so I took it after New Year's.
There are 3 levels of chain restrictions, per CalTRANS:
Level 1: Chains on drive-axle of all vehicles EXCEPT 4WD/AWD vehicles.
Level 2: Chains on drive-axle of all vehicles EXCEPT 4WD/AWD vehicles equipped with snow-tread tires (per CalTRANS, "snow-tread tires" are tires with the letters MS, M/S, M+S or the words MUD AND SNOW have been stamped into the sidewalls). 4WD/AWD vehicles are required to carry chains.
Level 3: Chains or traction devices required on all vehicles, no exceptions.
Reality:
Any level chain restriction, I wouldn't bother if you're on summer/non-M+S tires, which the Dunlop SP01 tires are very much not (found this out the hard way.. twice). Subaru's AWD system on the WRXs is pretty useless with summer tires. If you get stuck or start sliding, all the power will go to the slipping wheel/axle and you're hosed because you won't regain traction with more power. Like Chicken said, the roads will most likely be closed before Level 3 is enforced so chains on a Subaru isn't really an issue UNLESS you insist on running summer tires and put chains on for Level 2.
In all the times I've gone up when chain restrictions were in place (Level 1 and 2), I've never been stopped in the Subaru, not even to check tire rating or if we have chains. They see it's a Subaru and wave us through. This isn't to say they won't ever check. They can turn you around if there have been a lot of vaping retards wrecking so they start checking AWD cars for chains and you don't have them.
TL;DR -- Get M+S for traction and safety sake. If there's enough snow on the ground or coming down that they do put up chain restrictions, you'll WANT an M+S rated tire rather than looking like the idiot who wrecked their Subaru at 5mph in the snow because AWDBROOZZZZZ!!!
What he said. Check first though, some places (like Kragen) won't let you return chains even if they're unused.
Yep. Almost wrecked both cars (separate instances) on those garbage Dunlop SP01s the GRs and GVs came with. At least the WRX GDs and GGs came with not horrible all-weather Eagle GTs.
There are 3 levels of chain restrictions, per CalTRANS:
Level 1: Chains on drive-axle of all vehicles EXCEPT 4WD/AWD vehicles.
Level 2: Chains on drive-axle of all vehicles EXCEPT 4WD/AWD vehicles equipped with snow-tread tires (per CalTRANS, "snow-tread tires" are tires with the letters MS, M/S, M+S or the words MUD AND SNOW have been stamped into the sidewalls). 4WD/AWD vehicles are required to carry chains.
Level 3: Chains or traction devices required on all vehicles, no exceptions.
Reality:
Any level chain restriction, I wouldn't bother if you're on summer/non-M+S tires, which the Dunlop SP01 tires are very much not (found this out the hard way.. twice). Subaru's AWD system on the WRXs is pretty useless with summer tires. If you get stuck or start sliding, all the power will go to the slipping wheel/axle and you're hosed because you won't regain traction with more power. Like Chicken said, the roads will most likely be closed before Level 3 is enforced so chains on a Subaru isn't really an issue UNLESS you insist on running summer tires and put chains on for Level 2.
In all the times I've gone up when chain restrictions were in place (Level 1 and 2), I've never been stopped in the Subaru, not even to check tire rating or if we have chains. They see it's a Subaru and wave us through. This isn't to say they won't ever check. They can turn you around if there have been a lot of vaping retards wrecking so they start checking AWD cars for chains and you don't have them.
TL;DR -- Get M+S for traction and safety sake. If there's enough snow on the ground or coming down that they do put up chain restrictions, you'll WANT an M+S rated tire rather than looking like the idiot who wrecked their Subaru at 5mph in the snow because AWDBROOZZZZZ!!!
What he said. Check first though, some places (like Kragen) won't let you return chains even if they're unused.
Yep. Almost wrecked both cars (separate instances) on those garbage Dunlop SP01s the GRs and GVs came with. At least the WRX GDs and GGs came with not horrible all-weather Eagle GTs.
How is the Miata in the snow?