Tell me which winter chains to buy.

[paneubert]

Figure the best time to buy some winter tire chains is not in the Winter when they are in high demand. Someone point me at some quality chains that will fit on the stock XL Maverick tires. AWD if that matters. Pacific Northwest if it matters. Won't need them for months at a time, but may need them for days/a week at a time when we have our once or twice per year "SnowMageddon/SnowPocalypse". Not worth buying snow tires or studded tires.

Sponsored

 

[C from SF]

I have an XL AWD I use in the northern California mountains. I bought Peerless 0155505 Auto-Trac Tire Traction Chains on Amazon. They are listed for light pickups and SUVs.

 

[maggie06]

I have an XL AWD I use in the northern California mountains. I bought Peerless 0155505 Auto-Trac Tire Traction Chains on Amazon. They are listed for light pickups and SUVs.

Thought the manual recommends cables, at least I vaguely remember something like that.

 

[Phileaux]

I was going to recommend snow tires. Worked in MN for a few years. People would have their snow tires mounted on steelies to keep rims nice and have a quicker exchange.

 

[93nighthawk]

Here is what it says in the owners manual.

USING SNOW CHAINS
WARNING: Do not exceed 30 mph
(50 km/h). Failure to follow this
instruction could result in the loss of
control of your vehicle, personal injury or
death.
WARNING: Do not use snow chains
on snow-free roads.
WARNING: Only fit snow chains to
specified tires.
WARNING: If your vehicle is fitted
with wheel trims, remove them before
fitting snow chains.
WARNING: Aggressive driving in
any road conditions can cause you to
lose control of your vehicle increasing
the risk of severe personal injury or
property damage. The traction control
activating is an indication that at least
some of the tires have exceeded their
ability to grip the road; this may lead to
an increased risk of loss of vehicle
control, vehicle rollover, personal injury
and death. If you experience a severe
road event, slow down.

Not all S-class snow chains or cables
meet these restrictions. Chains of this
size restriction will include a tensioning
device.
• Purchase chains or cables from a
manufacturer that clearly labels body
to tire dimension restrictions. The snow
chains or cables must be mounted in
pairs on the rear tires only.
• When driving with snow chains do not
exceed 30 mph (50 km/h) or the
maximum speed recommended by the
chain manufacturer, whichever is less.
• Install cables securely, verifying that
the cables do not touch any wiring or
brake lines.
• Drive cautiously. If you hear the cables
rub or bang against the vehicle, stop
and retighten them. If this does not
work, remove the cables to prevent
vehicle damage.
• Remove the tire chains when they are
no longer needed. Do not use tire
chains on dry roads.
If you have any questions regarding snow
chains or cables, please contact your
authorized dealer.

 

[paneubert]

Here is what it says in the owners manual.

USING SNOW CHAINS
WARNING: Do not exceed 30 mph
(50 km/h). Failure to follow this
instruction could result in the loss of
control of your vehicle, personal injury or
death.
WARNING: Do not use snow chains
on snow-free roads.
WARNING: Only fit snow chains to
specified tires.
WARNING: If your vehicle is fitted
with wheel trims, remove them before
fitting snow chains.
WARNING: Aggressive driving in
any road conditions can cause you to
lose control of your vehicle increasing
the risk of severe personal injury or
property damage. The traction control
activating is an indication that at least
some of the tires have exceeded their
ability to grip the road; this may lead to
an increased risk of loss of vehicle
control, vehicle rollover, personal injury
and death. If you experience a severe
road event, slow down.

Not all S-class snow chains or cables
meet these restrictions. Chains of this
size restriction will include a tensioning
device.
• Purchase chains or cables from a
manufacturer that clearly labels body
to tire dimension restrictions. The snow
chains or cables must be mounted in
pairs on the rear tires only.
• When driving with snow chains do not
exceed 30 mph (50 km/h) or the
maximum speed recommended by the
chain manufacturer, whichever is less.
• Install cables securely, verifying that
the cables do not touch any wiring or
brake lines.
• Drive cautiously. If you hear the cables
rub or bang against the vehicle, stop
and retighten them. If this does not
work, remove the cables to prevent
vehicle damage.
• Remove the tire chains when they are
no longer needed. Do not use tire
chains on dry roads.
If you have any questions regarding snow
chains or cables, please contact your
authorized dealer.

Doesn't it seem odd that they say only on the rear tires when the two versions of the maverick are either AWD or front wheel drive? I would have expected them to say front tires if only naming 2 of the 4..... I'm not super vehicle savvy, but feels wrong to me on a fundamental level. Haha.

 

[C from SF]

Thought the manual recommends cables, at least I vaguely remember something like that.

The Peerless technically are cables. My dealer made me sign something saying I would not put chains on . Cables or some alternative was recommended.

 

[C from SF]

Doesn't it seem odd that they say only on the rear tires when the two versions of the maverick are either AWD or front wheel drive? I would have expected them to say front tires if only naming 2 of the 4..... I'm not super vehicle savvy, but feels wrong to me on a fundamental level. Haha.

Wonder if the “only on rear wheels” is a copy and paste from another Ford truck model…

 

[LeersMav]

Doesn't it seem odd that they say only on the rear tires when the two versions of the maverick are either AWD or front wheel drive? I would have expected them to say front tires if only naming 2 of the 4..... I'm not super vehicle savvy, but feels wrong to me on a fundamental level. Haha.

Since my Lariat Hybrid is FWD only, cables will be going on the drive wheels/front.
No control mounting them in the rear wheels on a FWD vehicle. (Just Google it.)
That's just plain stupid & asking for trouble.

Ford SHOULD have said "The snow chains or cables must be mounted in pairs on the drive wheels (Front for FWD and Rear for AWD/4WD)."

Wonder if the “only on rear wheels” is a copy and paste from another Ford truck model…

Looking at the electronic copy of the Maverick OM, the copy-n-paste info is correct.

Found this in OM, Pg 337:

Follow these guidelines when using snow tires and chains:
• Chains may damage aluminum wheels.
• Use ultra low profile cables, 10 mm or less in dimension as measured on the sidewall of your tire, only with 225/65R17, or 225/60R18 all season tires.
• Do not use snow chains or cables with 235/65R17.

 

[C from SF]

Since my Lariat Hybrid is FWD only, cables will be going on the drive wheels/front.
No control mounting them in the rear wheels on a FWD vehicle. (Just Google it.)
That's just plain stupid & asking for trouble.

Ford SHOULD have said "The snow chains or cables must be mounted in pairs on the drive wheels (Front for FWD and Rear for AWD/4WD)."

Technically the Maverick is Intelligent AWD - meaning it uses FWD default and adds AWD if needed. I have AWD and there is an Intelligant AWD screen where you can see which wheels have power to them. In ECO mode, I have never seen power to the rear wheels. On hwy driving, I haven’t seen power to the rear wheels in any of the modes. Just FYI.

 

[LeersMav]

Technically the Maverick is Intelligent AWD - meaning it uses FWD default and adds AWD if needed. I have AWD and there is an Intelligant AWD screen where you can see which wheels have power to them. In ECO mode, I have never seen power to the rear wheels. On hwy driving, I haven’t seen power to the rear wheels in any of the modes. Just FYI.

Yeah, so if I had Intelligent AWD and noticed the majority of the time drive wheels are on the front, I would mount the cables on the front. I think someone should bring this to Ford's attention (@Ford Motor Company).

 

[paneubert]

So what you all are saying is that I should mount chains on the front driver and rear passenger tires. Got it!

 

[paneubert]

I'm guessing it comes down to this fairly reasonable explanation.

"If you're driving an all-wheel-drive or four-wheel-drive vehicle, typically your chains will go on the front tires to boost traction when steering".

 

[Lone Star Proud]

I have absolutely no knowledge about such things. Thank God!

 

[KCHahn]

Looking at these, for next year.
No truck yet, maybe this week, or early next week.
So I was told, when I started a chat with dealer, for
some wanted information I was having trouble getting!
Saw something similar as well, just gotta find it now!

https://www.discounttire.com/buy-accessories/peerless-tire-chains/p/81249

Or this:

https://www.lesschwab.com/more/tire-chains

Look for Tire Socks.
for me, either looks easier to install, than trying to connect chains, when it's cold out!
I'm just not able to manage the cold any more these days! Hands go numb in under
5 minutes! WITH gloves!

Sponsored