All whell drive vehicles
Socalman, Sat Dec 01 2018, 08:35AM
My wife just recently purchased a Subaru Forrester which has AWD. I am just wondering what experience folks have had with AWD in the area. How do AWD vehicles stand with the various chain conditions?
Would the Forrester be better in snow/ice or should I bring my Expedition and chain up? I have no problem putting on chains, I've done it countless times since I was 15.
Re: All whell drive vehicles
MrOwl, Sat Dec 01 2018, 09:30AM
Socalman, we have a Forester and an Outback. We carried chains in the Forester to get through chain control but have always been waived through, R3 would require chains so you will want to carry them. Make sure you get class "S" or smaller for clearances as Subaru suggests no chains, but if traction devices needed use class "s". If you have good tires you will find getting around pretty easy but don't get crazy just because you have AWD. I tried to break loose but car corrects itself pretty well but push a turn at too fast a speed and you will have some fun. I usually give a car a good test to see how it will react.
Back in the day we had the 4WD Expedition.
Re: All whell drive vehicles
MrOwl, Sat Dec 01 2018, 09:31AM
Here in Idaho they have no chain controls for passenger vehicles they put up suggestion signs when roads get icy.
Re: All whell drive vehicles
NShore.Allen, Sat Dec 01 2018, 12:42PM
R2 allows AWD with the M/S tires (which you probably have on the Subaru). Your Subaru will perform very well in R2 conditions.. but always use caution.
Your Subaru with good mud-snow tires should have no problem with the typical winter weather in Big Bear. Only once in 8 years did I experience an R3 chains on all vehicles.. therefore get the appropriate traction devices for the Subaru just in case.
Re: All whell drive vehicles
Tlingit, Sat Dec 01 2018, 07:39PM
Wife has a crosstrek. Question, Do you mount the chains (cables) on the front or rear of an AWD?
Re: All whell drive vehicles
Polar 🌌rbit, Sat Dec 01 2018, 08:39PM
Chains on the front give you steering and braking. On the rear gives you better acceleration. I'll let you decide.
Re: All whell drive vehicles
RH_Runner, Sun Dec 02 2018, 07:00AM
I would always recommend reading the owners manual. Since living up here since 1964, and owning 7 Jeeps, I decided two years ago that I needed to add a pair of cables to my newer Jeep Cherokee. Knowing everything about chaining up, I decided that I needed traction and put them on the rear. After having them rip the wiring harness off the car, thus disabling the electronic 4 wheel drive, and a $500.00 repair, I did consult the owners manual as my wife had originally suggested. Of course, it indicated NEVER to put chains/cables on the rear tires and only on the front.
Go figure!
Re: All whell drive vehicles
Charles, Sun Dec 02 2018, 08:06AM
A good friend, who was the one who convinced us to get our Outback, has been driving up weekends for years and recalls a few times of trouble in icy conditions. I think ice is where any 4wd could use chains.
I got a set of cable chains that I now carry along with a shovel, tow strap, tarp, and old snow clothes hoping to be properly prepared for unexpected conditions.
Re: All whell drive vehicles
Socalman, Mon Dec 03 2018, 07:31AM
Thanks for the answers. Sounds like under MOST Big Bear winters we should be fine. I will read the owners manual!
I suppose I should get some cables to keep in the Forrester. I have not been a fan of them.
I always used chains until I bought my Expedition. The owners manual said cables so that is what I bought. It took very little time until the weight of that Expedition, combined with some bare areas on the road, and cables were breaking. I went to some auto supply store and inquired about a cable repair kit. I can't remember who it was I spoke to but he said he had been driving an Expedition for years and used regular chains. So for the past 13 years I have regular chains.
Re: All whell drive vehicles
Jellylorum, Mon Dec 03 2018, 01:13PM
Follow your owner's manual. My understanding is many vehicles with ABS can't use chains, it messes with it or tends to damage it (my 4Runner).
My Juke has the option for variable AWD drive OR Full Time AWD. I understand if you have ONLY variable AWD, you may be best off with cables on all four wheels. The computer that controls the variable systems become confused if you have cables on only one axle. Check with your mechanic to see if this is an issue for your vehicle.
Re: All whell drive vehicles
Socalman, Fri Dec 07 2018, 06:42AM
We MAY give it a try this evening as we are thinking of getting up. This week's storm would be a good test. However, I have not looked at what her owner's manual says about cables on the Subaru. Since out place is on a less traveled side road it can get pretty icy.
Socalman, Sat Dec 01 2018, 08:35AM
My wife just recently purchased a Subaru Forrester which has AWD. I am just wondering what experience folks have had with AWD in the area. How do AWD vehicles stand with the various chain conditions?
Would the Forrester be better in snow/ice or should I bring my Expedition and chain up? I have no problem putting on chains, I've done it countless times since I was 15.
Re: All whell drive vehicles
MrOwl, Sat Dec 01 2018, 09:30AM
Socalman, we have a Forester and an Outback. We carried chains in the Forester to get through chain control but have always been waived through, R3 would require chains so you will want to carry them. Make sure you get class "S" or smaller for clearances as Subaru suggests no chains, but if traction devices needed use class "s". If you have good tires you will find getting around pretty easy but don't get crazy just because you have AWD. I tried to break loose but car corrects itself pretty well but push a turn at too fast a speed and you will have some fun. I usually give a car a good test to see how it will react.
Back in the day we had the 4WD Expedition.
Re: All whell drive vehicles
MrOwl, Sat Dec 01 2018, 09:31AM
Here in Idaho they have no chain controls for passenger vehicles they put up suggestion signs when roads get icy.
Re: All whell drive vehicles
NShore.Allen, Sat Dec 01 2018, 12:42PM
R2 allows AWD with the M/S tires (which you probably have on the Subaru). Your Subaru will perform very well in R2 conditions.. but always use caution.
Your Subaru with good mud-snow tires should have no problem with the typical winter weather in Big Bear. Only once in 8 years did I experience an R3 chains on all vehicles.. therefore get the appropriate traction devices for the Subaru just in case.
Re: All whell drive vehicles
Tlingit, Sat Dec 01 2018, 07:39PM
Wife has a crosstrek. Question, Do you mount the chains (cables) on the front or rear of an AWD?
Re: All whell drive vehicles
Polar 🌌rbit, Sat Dec 01 2018, 08:39PM
Chains on the front give you steering and braking. On the rear gives you better acceleration. I'll let you decide.
Re: All whell drive vehicles
RH_Runner, Sun Dec 02 2018, 07:00AM
Polar Orbit wrote ...
Chains on the front give you steering and braking. On the rear gives you better acceleration. I'll let you decide.
Chains on the front give you steering and braking. On the rear gives you better acceleration. I'll let you decide.
I would always recommend reading the owners manual. Since living up here since 1964, and owning 7 Jeeps, I decided two years ago that I needed to add a pair of cables to my newer Jeep Cherokee. Knowing everything about chaining up, I decided that I needed traction and put them on the rear. After having them rip the wiring harness off the car, thus disabling the electronic 4 wheel drive, and a $500.00 repair, I did consult the owners manual as my wife had originally suggested. Of course, it indicated NEVER to put chains/cables on the rear tires and only on the front.
Go figure!
Re: All whell drive vehicles
Charles, Sun Dec 02 2018, 08:06AM
A good friend, who was the one who convinced us to get our Outback, has been driving up weekends for years and recalls a few times of trouble in icy conditions. I think ice is where any 4wd could use chains.
I got a set of cable chains that I now carry along with a shovel, tow strap, tarp, and old snow clothes hoping to be properly prepared for unexpected conditions.
Re: All whell drive vehicles
Socalman, Mon Dec 03 2018, 07:31AM
Thanks for the answers. Sounds like under MOST Big Bear winters we should be fine. I will read the owners manual!
I suppose I should get some cables to keep in the Forrester. I have not been a fan of them.
I always used chains until I bought my Expedition. The owners manual said cables so that is what I bought. It took very little time until the weight of that Expedition, combined with some bare areas on the road, and cables were breaking. I went to some auto supply store and inquired about a cable repair kit. I can't remember who it was I spoke to but he said he had been driving an Expedition for years and used regular chains. So for the past 13 years I have regular chains.
Re: All whell drive vehicles
Jellylorum, Mon Dec 03 2018, 01:13PM
Follow your owner's manual. My understanding is many vehicles with ABS can't use chains, it messes with it or tends to damage it (my 4Runner).
My Juke has the option for variable AWD drive OR Full Time AWD. I understand if you have ONLY variable AWD, you may be best off with cables on all four wheels. The computer that controls the variable systems become confused if you have cables on only one axle. Check with your mechanic to see if this is an issue for your vehicle.
Re: All whell drive vehicles
Socalman, Fri Dec 07 2018, 06:42AM
We MAY give it a try this evening as we are thinking of getting up. This week's storm would be a good test. However, I have not looked at what her owner's manual says about cables on the Subaru. Since out place is on a less traveled side road it can get pretty icy.
