Tire Chains/Cables

[StriderWA]

We all know the owners manual says under no circumstances are you to use tire chains/cables with the Fiestas, but has anyone used them anyways? I mostly want to know because I will need to cross a mountain pass this christmas and there are conditions where the glorious WSDOT requires chains across our mountain passes, and I'm sure the state patrol checkpoint would not accept a 'Ford said I can't' excuse and I live on the side of the state where winter tires are really not needed for a majority of the people.

At least WA isn't like CA where they have a checkpoint to verify you have chains in the vehicle even if the pass is clear, but still. I have the factory 16" tires, is the warning solely because they're worried that chains will chip the alloy wheels, or is it that if you put chains on they will not clear the wheel well and cause damage?

(FYI, a friend of mine had a 2008 Focus SES and also had 16" rims and was told he could not use chains but there was an alternative called spiderSpikes that only mount to the lugs on the outside. Only problem is they MSRP for like $600)

[johnny rotten]

Tire chains can be a cruel beast to your wheel well, even if you think they're installed properly.

Centrifugal force at higher speeds can make even a properly installed set of chains contact many vehicles wheel wells at higher speeds. On a vehicle like the Fiesta, there isn't much extra room in the wells, and unless you creep along, and I mean creep, contact will most likely be made.

Probably another reason that most, if not all, front wheel drive manufacturers recommend against using chains/cables is handling. Chaining up the front wheels only could cause major handling problems. With rear wheel drives, running chains on the back doesn't cause the same issues. That, and most rear wheel drive vehicles have more running clearance.

[Iceracer]

The cable ones might work.
Some where on the internet I saw something about a "Sock". It is a cloth thing that goes around the tire and is supposed to enhance traction.
Also I think in some cases if you have tires with the 'Snow flake on the Mountain" emblem. It is on dedicated snow/ice tires such as the Blizzak are allowed in lieu of chains.

[oracleguy]

Originally Posted by Iceracer

Also I think in some cases if you have tires with the 'Snow flake on the Mountain" emblem. It is on dedicated snow/ice tires such as the Blizzak are allowed in lieu of chains.

Yep, I know that in Oregon if you have the tires with the snowflake you don't have to have chains. In Nevada their definition of "winter tire" is if it has the M+S (or the snowflake) on it but they also will make chains mandatory in severe conditions and then just winter tires aren't sufficient.

Check the DOT website for Washington, I bet they are like Oregon and will let you not use chains if you have winter tires.

And the reason CA would check for chains even if the pass is clear is that weather conditions can rapidly change and they don't want people going over a pass and crashing because they don't have chains or traction tires.

[steve2012se]

Ford had the same policy for my 2002 explorer, and the cables worked great. I drove in a snowstorm in Donner Pass with them with Michelin Cross Terrains and used them many times up to Big Bear.

I'm a little concerned with the stock Kumho's on my Fiesta, does anybody know if there be good traction on icy spots with these tires?

[Cobra348]

Coming from the snowbelt of NY: The OEM tires (at least Kumho) do not do well with 5" of snow on ice. The old song "Slip Sliding Away" came to mind.

On my '11 I swapped out to Kelly Optima all-season radials and no issues last Winter. On the '12, I get the same tires this Friday ... except I will keep the Kumho for fair weather driving ... next May.

[Iceracer]

My experience with all season tires ie: Kumho's and others. They work pretty well when they have full tread depth, as in new. After that, they are pretty much out to lunch. If you want ice traction, then go to an ice/snow tire such as the Bridgestone Blizzak and others or you can go with studded tires.

Driving a Fiesta in five inches of snow on ice is really pushing your luck, regardless of the tires.

[mistere213]

Originally Posted by Iceracer

My experience with all season tires ie: Kumho's and others. They work pretty well when they have full tread depth, as in new. After that, they are pretty much out to lunch. If you want ice traction, then go to an ice/snow tire such as the Bridgestone Blizzak and others or you can go with studded tires.

Driving a Fiesta in five inches of snow on ice is really pushing your luck, regardless of the tires.

With 15000+ miles on my factory all-season tires, I had no issues in nearly 6 inches of wet, heavy snow a few weeks ago here in central Michigan. Just have to know how to drive it...which it was apparent that everyone else that particular night forgot that it snows in Michigan.

[Norm201]

We are foretasted to have "snow storm" this evening and tomorrow. Since it will be the first significant snow all the newbies and hot shots who think nothing can stop them we'll see a rash of stuck cars and fender benders.
Now days the weather forecasters call any disturbance a storm. This will be nothing more than rain in an ice crystal form.

[Corvair]

[I'm a little concerned with the stock Kumho's on my Fiesta, does anybody know if there be good traction on icy spots with these tires?[/QUOTE]

They are really bad tires in the snow, ice. Of all my front drive cars, my Fiesta is by far the worst car in the snow I've had. Should be one of the best. I ended up buying snow tires, never had snow tires before.