I plan on heading up to Mammoth Mountain on Thursday. I have read around that it's NOT recommended to put chains / wire on the TL. What should I do / what would you recommend?

PS: Why isn't it recommended that you put chains / wire on your car?

 

Its not recommended because there is little clearance between the suspension components and the tire. Supposedly S-Class chains are designed for cars with tight clearances. My coworker bought S-Class cable chains and used them on his TL without causing any damage.

What tires do you currently have on your TL?

 

I currently have stock rims, and some 235/45/17 Nexen tires.

I don't have any other car to bring up there, so I'm trying to be as safe and as comfortable as possible.

Would wire suffice / not damage anything?

 

Just make sure whatever you get is explicitly labeled "SAE Class S". These chains have a minimum clearance of 0.56" from the sidewall... I heard the Surgrip-Z cable chains exceed Class-S, and have smaller minimal clearances. It should say on the box what the minimal clearance is.

I haven't run chains on our TL yet, so I can't comment as far as if they touch or not, but my neighbor/coworker has, and he hasn't said anything to me about them rubbing or anything...

FWIW, I read that Z style cable chains work the best with ABS systems, becuase it provides a continuous contact patch between chain and ground. Unlike regular chains, where there is a spot between the chains that the tire is directly contacting ice.

 

Thule k-summit chains. nothing goes on the back between the tire and strut

 

check your owner manual - it will say if your year can use the S-type limited clearance cable/wire chains, or no chains allowed at all
https://techinfo.honda.com/rjanisis/...01_OMANUAL.asp

Its all about the clearance limitations on the inside edge of the tire to suspension and steering parts. If it says no and you do anyway- expect damaged fenders, broken steering bits and possible crash

If the book says NO- then NO is that answer and a rental suv/truck/4wd is your answer

 

Anyone with AWD car please confirm- with chains on, dont you turn the ABS OFF?

 

The one time I used chains on an AWD car, I put chains on all 4 wheels, and left all the nannies on.

 

If you do ths, you'll still need chains. The stock tires on most rental cars are complete sh!t. also check with the rental company if you can use chains... I had a visitor come over for christmas, and he was mad that the rental company he used explicitly disallowed chains on their rental cars. (Which was stupid, becuase at the time he came, the local department of transportation required chains on all highways in the metro area)

 

I just went outside and looked at the space between my tires / fenders .. and that's a scary thought.

I guess I'll ask my mother if I can take her 4runner for 4 days.

 

I just checked the owners manual of our TL. It says you can safely use "Class S" cable type chains. (It says to avoid using link type chains)

 

I am lowered 1.25" though, I don't think it'll be a good idea to put anything on my tires lol.

Thanks for the help man, I really appreciate it.

 

Make sure she has decent tires tho, or get a set of chains for the 4runner.

 

I wouldn't put chains on that drop

 

Then its ok to use cables

I test fitted a set on my 01- lowered and on 18s- they will clear everything - but its easier to remove the tire and install the cables on them than try to get under the car in the snow.
Dont let a chain installer near your baby

What I meant about rental jeeps/suv is they can be rented WITH chains included in whats called the Mountain Package
You can even get ski racks if you want!