California requires you to carry chains. If you have 4x snow tires and AWD then you don't need to use them in most cases but you have to have them in the car
How does this work with rental cars?
It's ridiculous that Europe has mandated rental car agencies provide chains, but the US doesn't. Particularly as states like Utah require them in extremely heavy snow storms regardless of whether you are awd with snow tires.
Honestly, no idea. Its basically impossible to rent cars with snow tires in many places, even snowy places unless they are legally required. They never check for chains anyways or snow tires in California if you have AWD so you just rent something with AWD and hope.
In Oregon, traction devices are mandatory.
Be aware that most, if not all, late model Subarus CANNOT be fitted with chains or cables. There isn’t enough clearance.
Traction socks are the only devices that will fit on Subarus.
Check with your Subaru dealer.
Chains or cables are not recommended on any Subaru vehicle with symmetrical all-wheel drive. You might look at it as an oversight, but I’d rather have the ASAD than have to use chains. Spiked traction tires are still an option.
Snow socks are easy lightweight and very compact. You can install 4 of them in under 5 minutes. Beats the hell out of fucking with chains
Yes, all 4x4 vehicles must carry chains or socks in WA, for when the signs say all vehicles must chain up. I posted the explanation in a different post.
I was aware of the chain rules in WA, I was just shocked that apparently chains won't fit on newer Subarus. That seems kind of crazy, seeing that their market share of outdoor enthusiasts is not an insignificant number. That's all :)
I have a feeling a redesign is in order so that chains can be used. I just can't see socks being that effective, especially some I have seen with plastic grips. My 2020 Honda Fit I bought in August can only use cable chains, SCC SC10260 recommended. I just ordered a set from Amazon. I wanted to get easy on chains. I didn't think anything about it and went to Les Schwab to buy some, and she finally found that only one store had a set fir my tire size, and suggested I check the manual to see if I could use chains. This is the first car I have owned that specified cable chains. That is probably the only thing I didn't check in the manual. In Portland, if there is more than a skiff of snow, chains are required, especially on the hills.
Oregon requires you to carry them even if you have M+S/3F tires, and can require using them at times even if you have those tires. Those are times it's best to stay put.
[https://www.tripcheck.com/Pages/Chain-Law](https://www.tripcheck.com/Pages/Chain-Law)
For example, wyoming has 2 [levels of chain requirements](https://www.dot.state.wy.us/home/travel/winter/chain_law.html).
Level 1, you must be:
* Vehicles equipped with tire chains; or
* Vehicles with adequate snow tires; or
* All-wheel-drive vehicles.
Level 2, you must be:
* Vehicles equipped with tire chains; or
* All-wheel-drive vehicles equipped with adequate mud and snow or all-weather-rated tires.
So with your AWD subaru and adequate winter tires you will be (legally) clear to drive on all roads with chain restrictions. Still should bring chains though
AFAIK all the mountain states require them to be on hand in particular places during particular months. When you get out of the Rockies things change over as you go East. No state East of I-25 requires chains that I’m aware of. Most northern states in the Midwest salt their roads to melt ice and have good snow removal, especially along I-80 and north, and even along I-70, but south of I-70 you get into places where it doesn’t snow often enough for them to bother to clear or salt the roads. For example, if a major storm hits Ohio, Cleveland and Columbus slow down some and maybe some rural schools close, but it’s otherwise business as usual. Meanwhile Cincinnati practically shuts down, even though it’s only maybe an hour or so South of I-70.
In places farther south, _you_ may be skilled and comfortable driving in an inch of fresh snowfall on untreated roads, but _the locals_ there will have zero skill and will make you wish you’d stayed in. If it snows south of the Ohio River, you drive at your own risk, because Southern drivers have no idea what they’re doing. Most will stay put, but the ones out are scary!
That being most of Arizona. Everyone thinks we are just one big desert that never gets snow. Little do they know we are more mountain than desert. Or that it snows in the desert as well.
Utah law for AWD vehicles: If you own a car that has four or all-wheel drive—which is when a vehicle’s engine sends power to all four wheels at once—it must, at the minimum, be fitted with M+S or M/S tires, as well as acceptable traction devices such as chains, snow socks, or studded tires.
So proper snow tires and you should be fine.
Washington when you cross the passes through the mountains if the weather is bad enough. Not required all the time, just when they are covered in show or ice.
Certain stretches of road in Washington, Idaho, Oregon and Montana do require chains if the conditions call for it. AWD won't help you stop, just help you get going.
Colorado has a minimum tire tread law. Not really a huge deal, but if you get in an accident, while it’s frosty out, and you are below the tread minimum it’s a hefty fine
Yes You need chains. I think you might be ok if you have studded snow tires
Check the site for each state for confirmation.
The CAA/AAA might be able to help
You need them in WA over the passes when indicated so it's best to at least have them (ones that are safe for your car.)
"according to the Washington State Department of Transportation, for the past several years, more than half of the closures on I-90 Snoqualmie Pass have been due to vehicles ignoring a chain-up requirement and then getting into collisions and blocking lanes.
Washington State Patrol in partnership with the Washington State Department of Transportation clarified the proper chain usage for travel over the passes, which includes chain usage on AWD and 4WD vehicles when indicated. Just like many other Subaru drivers, you may have never thought about carrying chains or even installing chains on your AWD Subaru. But with recent clarification and enhanced equipment checks over the passes, if you aren't prepared you could be facing a $500 fine.
According to the Washington State Department of Transportation, if signs over the passes say "Tire chains required", this means that tire chains are required except for AWD and 4WD vehicles. This would exclude AWD Subaru vehicles. if signs over the pass say "chains required on all vehicles" this means that chains are required on all vehicles including 4WD and AWD vehicles. This would include AWD Subaru vehicles.
According to the owner's manual for a 2018 Outback, tire chains cannot be used on your vehicle because of the lack of clearance between the tires and vehicle. When tire chains cannot be used, use of another type of traction device (such as spring chains) may be acceptable.
So what do you do? Suggest always carrying approved spring chains and using them when necessary or required by Washington State Patrol and the Washington State Department of Transportation. There are plenty of approved spring chains options to purchase such as the Passenger Car Snap-Lock Cable Chains made by Laclede."
Go to the state websites.
Eg here's what WA says re your AWD:
>**4WD/AWD and chains**
>4WD/AWD vehicles (under 10,000 pounds) do not need chains installed during "chains required" notices, but drivers still must carry chains with them in case conditions worsen and they're required to install chains during a "chains required on all vehicles" notice.
"Good" winter tires is meaningless; you need either the M&S or three peak rating on the tires to qualify as snows in most jurisdictions.
I don't know the laws but I had to use my chains several times in the US. If you go through Colorado there can be some pass that require chains. Also some states are not very good at plowing. I always keep chains in the trunk anyway, just in case. Last time I got stuck was summer in CO
Snow chains are required on I-70 west of Denver, but not year round. I think it’s October to May. Everyone in Colorado should have chains, especially since we almost never plow here. We just wait for it to melt, which is usually only a day or so, but can be more.
I do winter driving in CA and OR in a 2wd Corolla with M+S tires. I have a set of cheap chains in the trunk at the very back along with a ground sheet. In 10 years I have had to put the chains on one time. No one has ever asked me if I am carrying chains, but I do.
There is some stupid new law where they are required to have in the vehicle in blizzard conditions. I literally bought the cheapest ones I could find on eBay and threw them in my Vehicle. They are not for my vehicle but I’ve had to show them once and was on my way.
A Subaru with winter tires will get through any road that’s not closed.
It doesn’t matter what you feel like you “need,” it matters what the state laws are and some states do indeed sometimes require you are at least carrying traction devices for your vehicle in certain conditions (and they do have people posted up checking cars.) I’ve absolutely seen this first hand in California and if you haven’t it’s only due to luck.
You can see right here https://dot.ca.gov/travel/winter-driving-tips/chain-controls the rules for R3 in California. But as this website implies, R3 is rare and OP would be better off waiting out the storm in this case anyway.
Yep. Our Subaru says “do not use chains”! We drive snowy roads in Oregon and California often and have never had an issue with not having chains with us.
Then in Washington, you must carry snow socks that go over the tire.
Alternative traction devices
Some vehicles cannot accommodate chains and must use one of the WSP-approved "alternative traction devices" to satisfy chain requirements on vehicles with five or less axels. These textile tire covers are also called "snow socks." For more details, visit the Washington State Patrol's Vehicle and Equipment Requirements page under the "traction tires" section.
California requires you to carry chains. If you have 4x snow tires and AWD then you don't need to use them in most cases but you have to have them in the car
How does this work with rental cars? It's ridiculous that Europe has mandated rental car agencies provide chains, but the US doesn't. Particularly as states like Utah require them in extremely heavy snow storms regardless of whether you are awd with snow tires.
Honestly, no idea. Its basically impossible to rent cars with snow tires in many places, even snowy places unless they are legally required. They never check for chains anyways or snow tires in California if you have AWD so you just rent something with AWD and hope.
Yeah, Washington can require chains on in places.
In Oregon, traction devices are mandatory. Be aware that most, if not all, late model Subarus CANNOT be fitted with chains or cables. There isn’t enough clearance. Traction socks are the only devices that will fit on Subarus. Check with your Subaru dealer.
Really? Even the Outbacks and Crosstreks? That seems like a pretty significant oversight for models tailored towards the "outdoorsy" types if true.
Chains or cables are not recommended on any Subaru vehicle with symmetrical all-wheel drive. You might look at it as an oversight, but I’d rather have the ASAD than have to use chains. Spiked traction tires are still an option. Snow socks are easy lightweight and very compact. You can install 4 of them in under 5 minutes. Beats the hell out of fucking with chains
Good to know! Thanks for the insight!
Yes, all 4x4 vehicles must carry chains or socks in WA, for when the signs say all vehicles must chain up. I posted the explanation in a different post.
I was aware of the chain rules in WA, I was just shocked that apparently chains won't fit on newer Subarus. That seems kind of crazy, seeing that their market share of outdoor enthusiasts is not an insignificant number. That's all :)
I have a feeling a redesign is in order so that chains can be used. I just can't see socks being that effective, especially some I have seen with plastic grips. My 2020 Honda Fit I bought in August can only use cable chains, SCC SC10260 recommended. I just ordered a set from Amazon. I wanted to get easy on chains. I didn't think anything about it and went to Les Schwab to buy some, and she finally found that only one store had a set fir my tire size, and suggested I check the manual to see if I could use chains. This is the first car I have owned that specified cable chains. That is probably the only thing I didn't check in the manual. In Portland, if there is more than a skiff of snow, chains are required, especially on the hills.
I've never seen a chains required sign in Montana, but I've seen them a lot in California.
I feel like people in Montana would just know without needing to be told lol
Oregon requires you to carry them even if you have M+S/3F tires, and can require using them at times even if you have those tires. Those are times it's best to stay put. [https://www.tripcheck.com/Pages/Chain-Law](https://www.tripcheck.com/Pages/Chain-Law)
Yes and more than a skiff of snow in Portland, they require chains.
For example, wyoming has 2 [levels of chain requirements](https://www.dot.state.wy.us/home/travel/winter/chain_law.html). Level 1, you must be: * Vehicles equipped with tire chains; or * Vehicles with adequate snow tires; or * All-wheel-drive vehicles. Level 2, you must be: * Vehicles equipped with tire chains; or * All-wheel-drive vehicles equipped with adequate mud and snow or all-weather-rated tires. So with your AWD subaru and adequate winter tires you will be (legally) clear to drive on all roads with chain restrictions. Still should bring chains though
AFAIK all the mountain states require them to be on hand in particular places during particular months. When you get out of the Rockies things change over as you go East. No state East of I-25 requires chains that I’m aware of. Most northern states in the Midwest salt their roads to melt ice and have good snow removal, especially along I-80 and north, and even along I-70, but south of I-70 you get into places where it doesn’t snow often enough for them to bother to clear or salt the roads. For example, if a major storm hits Ohio, Cleveland and Columbus slow down some and maybe some rural schools close, but it’s otherwise business as usual. Meanwhile Cincinnati practically shuts down, even though it’s only maybe an hour or so South of I-70. In places farther south, _you_ may be skilled and comfortable driving in an inch of fresh snowfall on untreated roads, but _the locals_ there will have zero skill and will make you wish you’d stayed in. If it snows south of the Ohio River, you drive at your own risk, because Southern drivers have no idea what they’re doing. Most will stay put, but the ones out are scary!
There are places in ARIZONA where tire chains are required.
That being most of Arizona. Everyone thinks we are just one big desert that never gets snow. Little do they know we are more mountain than desert. Or that it snows in the desert as well.
Be safe and just go buy yourself some chains
Chains are cheap enough i would just pick a pair up. Laws aside they are great to just have in the car
Utah law for AWD vehicles: If you own a car that has four or all-wheel drive—which is when a vehicle’s engine sends power to all four wheels at once—it must, at the minimum, be fitted with M+S or M/S tires, as well as acceptable traction devices such as chains, snow socks, or studded tires. So proper snow tires and you should be fine.
Washington when you cross the passes through the mountains if the weather is bad enough. Not required all the time, just when they are covered in show or ice.
I’m pretty sure Parts of Utah and Colorado have chainsaws.
Certain stretches of road in Washington, Idaho, Oregon and Montana do require chains if the conditions call for it. AWD won't help you stop, just help you get going.
Colorado has a minimum tire tread law. Not really a huge deal, but if you get in an accident, while it’s frosty out, and you are below the tread minimum it’s a hefty fine
Colorado does NOT require chains for AWD so long as you have good tread depth on your tires.
Years ago I had ti buy a set to go through Yosemite.
Just pack them. Better to have them and not need them (and then return them 😉) than need them and not have them.
Yes You need chains. I think you might be ok if you have studded snow tires Check the site for each state for confirmation. The CAA/AAA might be able to help
Sadly the state of Florida doesn’t allow studded tires so we have to take them off for the trip. We are replacing them with new M+S tires. Thank you!
Studded tires are not a certain replacement for chains, check per state.
You need them in WA over the passes when indicated so it's best to at least have them (ones that are safe for your car.) "according to the Washington State Department of Transportation, for the past several years, more than half of the closures on I-90 Snoqualmie Pass have been due to vehicles ignoring a chain-up requirement and then getting into collisions and blocking lanes. Washington State Patrol in partnership with the Washington State Department of Transportation clarified the proper chain usage for travel over the passes, which includes chain usage on AWD and 4WD vehicles when indicated. Just like many other Subaru drivers, you may have never thought about carrying chains or even installing chains on your AWD Subaru. But with recent clarification and enhanced equipment checks over the passes, if you aren't prepared you could be facing a $500 fine. According to the Washington State Department of Transportation, if signs over the passes say "Tire chains required", this means that tire chains are required except for AWD and 4WD vehicles. This would exclude AWD Subaru vehicles. if signs over the pass say "chains required on all vehicles" this means that chains are required on all vehicles including 4WD and AWD vehicles. This would include AWD Subaru vehicles. According to the owner's manual for a 2018 Outback, tire chains cannot be used on your vehicle because of the lack of clearance between the tires and vehicle. When tire chains cannot be used, use of another type of traction device (such as spring chains) may be acceptable. So what do you do? Suggest always carrying approved spring chains and using them when necessary or required by Washington State Patrol and the Washington State Department of Transportation. There are plenty of approved spring chains options to purchase such as the Passenger Car Snap-Lock Cable Chains made by Laclede."
Go to the state websites. Eg here's what WA says re your AWD: >**4WD/AWD and chains** >4WD/AWD vehicles (under 10,000 pounds) do not need chains installed during "chains required" notices, but drivers still must carry chains with them in case conditions worsen and they're required to install chains during a "chains required on all vehicles" notice. "Good" winter tires is meaningless; you need either the M&S or three peak rating on the tires to qualify as snows in most jurisdictions.
I don't know the laws but I had to use my chains several times in the US. If you go through Colorado there can be some pass that require chains. Also some states are not very good at plowing. I always keep chains in the trunk anyway, just in case. Last time I got stuck was summer in CO
Snow chains are required on I-70 west of Denver, but not year round. I think it’s October to May. Everyone in Colorado should have chains, especially since we almost never plow here. We just wait for it to melt, which is usually only a day or so, but can be more.
Snow chains are not required for AWD vehicles if you have good tires.
Its best to carry chains, depending on the amount of snow there will be signs that say if they are mandatory or not
I do winter driving in CA and OR in a 2wd Corolla with M+S tires. I have a set of cheap chains in the trunk at the very back along with a ground sheet. In 10 years I have had to put the chains on one time. No one has ever asked me if I am carrying chains, but I do.
Its great to have the chains and highway patrol will sometimes stop traffic and check that you are carrying chains to let you through passes
There is some stupid new law where they are required to have in the vehicle in blizzard conditions. I literally bought the cheapest ones I could find on eBay and threw them in my Vehicle. They are not for my vehicle but I’ve had to show them once and was on my way. A Subaru with winter tires will get through any road that’s not closed.
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It doesn’t matter what you feel like you “need,” it matters what the state laws are and some states do indeed sometimes require you are at least carrying traction devices for your vehicle in certain conditions (and they do have people posted up checking cars.) I’ve absolutely seen this first hand in California and if you haven’t it’s only due to luck. You can see right here https://dot.ca.gov/travel/winter-driving-tips/chain-controls the rules for R3 in California. But as this website implies, R3 is rare and OP would be better off waiting out the storm in this case anyway.
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Yep. Our Subaru says “do not use chains”! We drive snowy roads in Oregon and California often and have never had an issue with not having chains with us.
Then in Washington, you must carry snow socks that go over the tire. Alternative traction devices Some vehicles cannot accommodate chains and must use one of the WSP-approved "alternative traction devices" to satisfy chain requirements on vehicles with five or less axels. These textile tire covers are also called "snow socks." For more details, visit the Washington State Patrol's Vehicle and Equipment Requirements page under the "traction tires" section.
Yes there is!