Tire Chains.

[paneubert]

If you included a link it doesn't work.

I did not, but I can. Haha.

https://cdn.dealereprocess.org/cdn/servicemanuals/ford/2022-maverick.pdf

I'll also see if it lets me attach the file. It is about 10MB.

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[TheWizziard]

"CHAINS" you guys have brought back memories. I moved from the far northeast to the far southwest 42 years ago. It is hot here but I don't have to shovel the heat.

For my two cents, I didn't run my chains all winter. They were in the trunk for that rare day when the snow or ice was not going to let me get home no matter how many wheels I had driving or how good my tiers where.

 

[TheWizziard]

I did not, but I can. Haha.

https://cdn.dealereprocess.org/cdn/servicemanuals/ford/2022-maverick.pdf

I'll also see if it lets me attach the file. It is about 10MB.

My mistake. I didn't realize you were talking about the owners manual. I do have the PDF and I agree word searching is a good way to find info.

Thanks for posting it though. And you're link does work.

 

[paneubert]

For my two cents, I didn't run my chains all winter. They were in the trunk for that rare day when the snow or ice was not going to let me get home no matter how many wheels I had driving or how good my tiers where.

That's my plan. I do hope to get some winter tires to mount for each winter season, but in reality I will probably just have my chains under the back seat during the cold months in case I need them. We don't get months-long blizzards where I am at, but we have been getting more and more frequent "SnowPocalypse" events each Winter where everyone seems to be trapped in their driveway or at work for a few days at a time. Partially due to folks not knowing how to drive in ice and snow, partially due to the super crappy preparation and response that we usually see from the city, county, and state related to sanding/salting/plowing after the event.

My town Public Works Department has literally told residents that they did not feel like plowing since it was predicted to snow some more that night......

 

[TheWizziard]

You can download a PDF of it if you want a sneak peek. Makes it easy to do a "word search" for topics in Adobe.

Here is what you will find related to tire chains.

"The snow chains or cables must be mounted in pairs on the rear tires only."

The snow
"chains or cables must be mounted in pairs on the rear tires only."
How does that work on a front wheel drive vehicle?
It looks like another copy & paste from the F150 manual.

 

[Decayed]

Most likely gonna get flamed for this, but IMHO if one is expecting to be out in such extreme weather that they feel chains are required then I would suggest going with AWD. The AWD system, on the Mav, promises, from what I have seen, to be a stellar performer in extreme weather conditions. I have lived in a state that sees extreme winter weather and never used a set of chains on a vehicle in my life and used to travel 30K a year in some of the worst weather imaginable. With that said, I did own my share of 4x4's with Haks or Blizzaks all the way around. To each their own for sure.

On the contrary, chains are for unusual events. If you live in northern new england and get several feet of snow a year, you should have AWD. If you live in a mid atlantic state where annual snowfall averages less than 6" a year, chains are a very reasonable hedge against bad weather.

 

[Clock Doc]

@Bob The Builder, You're not to far from me, Mass. If our trucks ever come in we can meet for cup of coffee and compare notes.

 

[Bob The Builder]

@Bob The Builder, You're not to far from me, Mass. If our trucks ever come in we can meet for cup of coffee and compare notes.

I would enjoy that very much Doc. Don't make it down to Mass much these days as I am getting older but used to make the trip to Fenway as much as I could. Visit a relative in Natick and took the train to the park. Cheers.

 

[Clock Doc]

On the contrary, chains are for unusual events. If you live in northern new england and get several feet of snow a year, you should have AWD. If you live in a mid atlantic state where annual snowfall averages less than 6" a year, chains are a very reasonable hedge against bad weather.

AWD and 4x4 still suck with all season. Unless you get the all season with the mountain snow capped logo they are nothing more than 3 seasons, better kept for south of the Mason- Dixon. I have always used snow tires up here in Southern New England and chains when needed. Gotten me out of a few jams. Chains also work well in mud during those back road trips during mud season.

 

[MayhemMaverick]

So has anyone, a single forum member fit chains or cables on the front tires of their FWD XL and used them ? - thanks. Wife hid the manual some where heh heh heh. Manual states "rear tires only" ???

 

[Clock Doc]

So has anyone, a single forum member fit chains or cables on the front tires of their FWD XL and used them ? - thanks. Wife hid the manual some where heh heh heh. Manual states "rear tires only" ???

I don't know what the manual states off hand. As a rule fwd veh the chains go on the front, rear wheel on the back, awd and 4x4 on all four or just the rear if you only have one set. Ideally you want chains on all four wheels for max traction if you have them no matter the drive line.

 

[TheWizziard]

The manuals the available both as HTML and PDF online. The 2023 manual now states, "The snow chains or cables must be mounted in pairs on the front tires only."

 

[Clock Doc]

The manuals the available both as HTML and PDF online. The 2023 manual now states, "The snow chains or cables must be mounted in pairs on the front tires only."

I know how to find the manual, I also have it in my glove box, thanks for the tip though.
On fwd, chains should be place on the front wheels as they are the drive wheels. Having them on the front helps with steering and breaking because of the weight transfer to the front under breaking. It would do you no good putting them on the non drive wheels only.
I have an awd all of my wheels are drive wheels so chains belong on all four wheels. Doing this balances the drive line and does not put undue stress on the ptu or suspension system.
I suspect that Ford is simplifying the manual to fwd due to it being the primary drive line and if you only have one set this is the best place for them.
Ford has put out supplemental manuals for awd chain installation in the past specifying all four wheels. I haven't seen one for the Maverick though.
I'm going to give them a call and see what the techs have to say. There could also be an issue putting them on the rear they don't mention in the manual.
I suspect I'll get a bunch of different answers from them.
Thanks for the heads up.

 

[BoskoPColtrane]

Sure but what if I buy my hybrid Mav for South Carolina where it will never see snow, but decide to drive home in Wyoming for Christmas?...

Totally agree that in shady weather areas AWD is a great thing. Plenty of people survive just fine without it though.

I've driven all over your area in winter (family) but I don't remember any "snow chains mandatory" mountain passes like in Utah/ Wyoming/ Colorado. When I moved to and away from Fort Drum we were in deep snow (different Januarys).

And funny enough my dad just bought a 2wd Tundra- yes he lives in an extremely snowy/hilly town but said he's been fine most of the time in his 90s Ranger without using the 4wd. Of course it makes a difference he's retired so if the white stuff is falling he can skip going out.

Everyone's situation may vary.

My dealer related that if you have a hybrid, you need insulated tire chains. He said, and I’m not sure if this is true, that if you have regular chains it can cause a fire due to the brakes generating electricity back to your battery. Of course he also tried to sell me $8000 in extended warranty and maintenance plans that literally cost half the price on the Ford website…so.

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