Auto Socks in CA, how many?

[tbrockhurst]

Hi,

used to have an Audi Quattro with all season Pilot Sports, & for safety/arguments sake bought 2 sets of dual Auto Socks, just in case we were in the mountains & needed snow chains.
does the same apply to a Performance Dual, (I.e. an Auto Sock p/wheel) or are the M+S tyres good enough for a cat 3 snow storm?

thanks in advance,

t.brockhurst

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[schlosrat]

I believe the M+S tires on a dual motor R1 are rated as being good to go without needing chains. The fact that you've got a dual motor plays in your favor - better than tri or quad when in slick conditions as you don't need a computer to try to simulate a limited-slip differential. OTOH, the performance may play against you unless you're lighter in the right foot than I am.

 

[tbrockhurst]

I believe the M+S tires on a dual motor R1 are rated as being good to go without needing chains. The fact that you've got a dual motor plays in your favor - better than tri or quad when in slick conditions as you don't need a computer to try to simulate a limited-slip differential. OTOH, the performance may play against you unless you're lighter in the right foot than I am.

Thanks so much for your reply. grew up as a farmer in N. Europe & learnt 1st hand the higher gear trick to getting traction from a standing start In all manner of vehicles. But my understanding of CA snow / cat 3 road traffic rules are that M+S are ok & will usually suffice, but are no substitute for actual winter/offroad tyres, or even chains.
sometimes the application of traffic law is less about what can or will suffice, but whether you’ve got chains & can tick the box.
thanks again though much appreciated

 

[mikehmb]

Which tires do you have on your Rivian? This makes a huge difference on what answer you'll get.

If AT (Pirelli) they are 3PMS, which means CalTrans will let you past in R2 conditions. You'll need socks/chains/cables in R3 regardless

I believe the 20" "all-season" Goodyears are also 3PMS, so you should be good there re: R2.

If they are street tires, you'll need socks on at least the fronts in R2.

If this doesn't mean anything to you, I would recommend looking into Caltrans definitions for road conditions. I grew up driving in the snow in the Sierras so this sort of thing is 2nd nature.

 

[timgradywy]

All of the above. I have auto socks, chains, and snow tires. The snow tires are normally put on for winter, the auto socks and chains are in case I don't get the chance to put on real winter tires. Also make sure to have knee pads, ski pants/overalls, gloves and other suitable clothing for installation (or cash to pay one of the many installers on the side of the road).

 

[tbrockhurst]

Which tires do you have on your Rivian? This makes a huge difference on what answer you'll get.

If AT (Pirelli) they are 3PMS, which means CalTrans will let you past in R2 conditions. You'll need socks/chains/cables in R3 regardless

I believe the 20" "all-season" Goodyears are also 3PMS, so you should be good there re: R2.

If they are street tires, you'll need socks on at least the fronts in R2.

If this doesn't mean anything to you, I would recommend looking into Caltrans definitions for road conditions. I grew up driving in the snow in the Sierras so this sort of thing is 2nd nature.

It does & thank-you so much, answered my suspicions. They’re the pirelli 275/55 r22 m+s. But to me it seems as if in Cat3 snow, (& simply to tick boxes), having an AutoSock per tyre couldn’t really be argued with. . . .

thanks all so much

 

[tbrockhurst]

All of the above. I have auto socks, chains, and snow tires. The snow tires are normally put on for winter, the auto socks and chains are in case I don't get the chance to put on real winter tires. Also make sure to have knee pads, ski pants/overalls, gloves and other suitable clothing for installation (or cash to pay one of the many installers on the side of the road).

That’s the beauty of snow socks though, fit to top, drive a meter, fit to rest. Slow/high gear move off & keep to the tracks.
‘thank-you, another great answer.

 

[mkg3]

It does & thank-you so much, answered my suspicions. They’re the pirelli 275/55 r22 m+s. But to me it seems as if in Cat3 snow, (& simply to tick boxes), having an AutoSock per tyre couldn’t really be argued with. . . .

thanks all so much

In snow, Caltrans is clear on what you need. Even with M+S tires, my experience is that CHP always checked to see if I am carrying chains (snow socks should work as well). It having to carry it is the big deal than not having it even with M+S tires. Also, I've found that if it gets to R3 condition, roads and even freeways get shut down often.

From Caltrans:
https://dot.ca.gov/travel/winter-driving-tips/chain-controls

During the winter months, motorists may encounter traction chain controls in the mountain areas within California. When chain controls are established, signs will be posted along the road indicating the type of requirement. There are Three Levels of Chain Requirements in California:

• Requirement 1 (R-1): Chains are required on all vehicles except passenger vehicles and light-duty trucks under 6,000 pounds gross weight and equipped with snow tires on at least two drive wheels. Chains must be carried by vehicles using snow tires. All vehicles towing trailers must have chains on one drive axle. Trailers with brakes must have chains on at least one axle.
• Requirement 2 (R2): Chains or traction devices are required on all vehicles except four-wheel/all-wheel drive vehicles with snow-tread tires on all four wheels.
  NOTE: (Four-wheel/all-wheel drive vehicles must carry traction devices in chain control areas.)
• Requirement 3 (R3): Chains or traction devices are required on all vehicles, no exceptions.

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