Does 2010 Audi Q4 Quattro need snow chains for Tahoe?

[mishonio]

I have the original all season tires and they have less than 15K miles on them. Also on Tahoe, Cal Tran do a good job cleaning the snow - if it's too much they close the highway.

Please advise. If chains are needed, Pls advise what type to use, and whether I need chains for all wheels or just the front two.

Thanks,
Michael

[JoshDub]

You will not need chains.

[Speycaster]

No chains. If it is so bad that CalTrans will not let an AWD vehicle with snow tires pass, they will close the road. Now Oregon is a different matter. The only time I have ever seen a read closed in Oregon, it was either under water or had a mud slide.

[SoCalS4Avant]

You guys need to look up California LAW before just randomly chiming in. California law REQUIRES that chains be carried at ALL times, regardless of FWD/AWD/4WD. If you have snow tires and awd, you'll probably be ok in the snow (depending on depth), but you still have to carry chains. It's the law. When you are stopped on HWY 50 or HWY 80, they will ask if you have chains and sometimes will actually look to verify. That said, if they don't verify and you happen to spin out and CHP has to pull you out, you'll receive a ticket for not carrying chains.

[MilesM]

+1 to Dan's comment, but please check the regional forums as well.. Tahoe specifically is one of our topics at the moment in the Southern California region.

[Speycaster]

He asked if he needed chains. Not what the law was. He may only be going up there once in a blue moon, and might want to take the chance that it will either not snow, or that he will not be asked by the CHP. He IS going to Tahoe, he might WANT to take the gamble.

[mishonio]

Since I go to tahoe a lot, sounds like I will need chains. In this case what type to buy and how many are needed for an Audi A4 Quattro?

Thx
M

[mishonio]

Since I go to tahoe a lot, sounds like I will need chains. In this case what type to buy and how many are needed for an Audi A4 Quattro?

Thx
M

I need them because as it seems the CA law requires them...

[MilesM]

I've been going to Tahoe my entire life, if you NEED chains in a quattro car, you shouldn't be on the road regardless of your setup.. That said, it is required by law that you atleast carry some, so personally I just carry a set of the cheapest chains I can find in case I get questioned by CHP.

[mishonio]

Do you have 2 pairs for the front and rear wheels or just one for the front ones?

[vtheman]

The Ca law does state that you have to have chains but the reality is in the past 10 years I have never been asked to show or install chains on my Audi or any other AWD vehicle and I have driven trough some pretty bad storms. If I were you I would have a dedicated winter setup. With factory all season tires with 15k on them you are pushing it. Check Craig list, I recently got a killer winter wheel/tire set up.

BTW: look up Spikes-Spider.

[mishonio]

I have 1 pair of spider spikes for my other car. For an Audi quattro, do I need to have spider spikes on both the front and rear wheels?

[routertyty]

I've driven to Tahoe countless times in my B5 A4 quattro and never has the chain patrol stopped me for chain inspection. Of course, the wise thing to do is have a set of winters on, then chains as a backup in case it gets really bad. Of course, i've never been stuck in my A4 either. All season tires worked great for me.

Has any one ever used these?

[MiracleWhips]

He asked if he needed chains. Not what the law was.

And he needs chains, so says the law.

[vtheman]

I have 1 pair of spider spikes for my other car. For an Audi quattro, do I need to have spider spikes on both the front and rear wheels?

I would assume you'd need 2. But for the price of 2 sets of Spiders you can get a pretty good winter wheel/tire setup :) In fact I was in the same situation you are now. I have 15k on my original tires and I would not take them anywhere near the snow in their current condition (and I am very experienced winter driver). I've tested them in the snow for the past 2 years and I can tell you that they are mediocre in the snow. Nothing will ever substitute dedicated snow tires. BTW: Don't know how true this is with the Audi but some car manufacturers will void your warranty if you use chains.

[Blake P]

Slightly off topic, but has Tahoe even gotten enough snow to matter at this point? Pretty dry season so far...

[MilesM]

Slightly off topic, but has Tahoe even gotten enough snow to matter at this point? Pretty dry season so far...

There's snow on the ground, but the mountains are still making snow.

[SoCalS4Avant]

And he needs chains, so says the law.

Iknowright?

Slightly off topic, but has Tahoe even gotten enough snow to matter at this point? Pretty dry season so far...

Yep...dry so far. But still a La Nina pattern for the weather. They're still expecting it to be 33% wetter/snowier than "normal."

My Tahoe trip, as of right now, is scheduled for February 6-12. There will be snow by then.

[Jed Peters]

I have lived in and around tahoe for my entire driving life.

I've owned wagons (first subaru, then bmws, now audi) that are AWD, and I've NEVER been asked to see chains or install them.

On time, driving home from king's beach to reno, they had the "4wd with chains required" for local travel only. That is the only time i've seen that in hundreds of snow driving days.

Even then, I pleaded with them to allow me through, and they did, without much fanfare.

[SoCalS4Avant]

^ Good to hear, Jed.

I lived in Tahoe for 20 years. Graduated from South Tahoe High. It doesn't change what the law says...

...but whether you need to put the chains ON or not is a different question. It's easier to just be safe.

[MilesM]

Dan I'm surprised you don't know my dad, he went to UNR and lived in Incline for years haha. Of course I'm assuming you guys are about the same age.

[Speycaster]

And he needs chains, so says the law.

And you've never driven over the posted speed limit; which IS the law;(

[SoCalS4Avant]

Dan I'm surprised you don't know my dad, he went to UNR and lived in Incline for years haha. Of course I'm assuming you guys are about the same age.

That's hilarious that you think I'm THAT old, Miles.

[MiracleWhips]

And you've never driven over the posted speed limit; which IS the law;(

<- 2mph below the posted speed limit, eyes straight ahead with hands at 10 and 2 at all times.

[MilesM]

That's hilarious that you think I'm THAT old, Miles.

Hey, even people in their 20s are old to me Guess that's a no on knowing him! Lol.

[SoCalS4Avant]

<- 2mph below the posted speed limit, eyes straight ahead with hands at 10 and 2 at all times.

All us Avant owners drive like granies...don'tcha know?


Avant5.21-2 by DPBPHOTOS, on Flickr

[Blake P]

Hey, even people in their 20s are old to me Guess that's a no on knowing him! Lol.

I just came in here to say something similar about your perspective.
Dan, you lived in Tahoe longer than Miles has been alive, so go figure...

[rippin'av]

I've driven up in the Tahoe area every year for the past 20 years and I've never been asked to stop and get chains on. I have had a few Audis (A6, Q7 and now B8) and have never been questioned. A solid all-season will get the job done as long as you're not plowing through deep snow. For a day/weekend trip you're fine without a dedicated snow tire. The checkpoint guys see the four rings and just wave me past. The law says you need to carry chains, doesn't mean you need to use them. Read the owner's manual but I think it is not recommended to use them on these cars. I know it voids the warranty on my land rover if I use chains.

Theres not enough snow up in Tahoe now on the roads to worry about anything. They do a great job on clearing the roads.

Sh!t...last January I rode my BMW 1150GS motorcycle (with knobbies) through Tahoe and Reno areas on my way down to the 395. There was ice and snow everywhere but the road was fine. If I can make it in a 1WD you can make it in a AWD, lol...

[formula1guy]

I know my post is the same as some others but regardless of what CA law states, i've never once been asked to put chains on any of my quattro cars when heading to Tahoe. When driving through chain control check points, they've waved me right on through. Must be the rings:)

Watch, this will now be the first year I'll be turned back (I don't own chains) so maybe I better get some just to be safe.

[sgary1]

The owners manual states that if you must use snow chains they are to be used on the front tires only and the links must be no larger than .53 inch. It also says they shouldn't be used with certain tire sizes and to check with the dealer. It doesn't say anything about cables. As others have said, buy proper chains or cables so you are legal. You probably never need to use them. I live in the foothills of Sacramento, I have never needed chains on my many trips to Tahoe each year. Just make sure you have good all season or winter tires.

[mishonio]

Thanks to all for all the info. So, as I thought on an A4 quattro in the rare cases when chains are required, they need to be installed on the front wheels only

Happy Holidays!

[NickZag]

All us Avant owners drive like granies...don'tcha know?


Avant5.21-2 by DPBPHOTOS, on Flickr

Turn 3A at Infineon?

[B8SlineNate]

I've driven to Tahoe countless times in my B5 A4 quattro and never has the chain patrol stopped me for chain inspection. Of course, the wise thing to do is have a set of winters on, then chains as a backup in case it gets really bad. Of course, i've never been stuck in my A4 either. All season tires worked great for me.

Has any one ever used these?

i'm curious about this also

[Emission]

I still don't think it has snowed in Tahoe much this year. Very dry.

I have had good luck with these low-clearance cable-type "chains" on some of my other cars: http://scc-chain.com/Traction%20Pages/Trac_SZLT.html

- Mike

[mishonio]

Well I am definately buying winter wheels.

That's because according to tirerack, the Pirelli P6 all season tires installed by Audi on many B8s with 18" wheels are no good

Click on the Survey tab

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....0&autoModel=A4 2.0 Quattro&autoModClar=Premium Plus

Why did Audi pick them is a mystery...