[nikita]

I found this gem in the owners manual.

WARNING: Do not use snow chains or cables on this vehicle as
they may cause damage to your vehicle which may lead to loss
of vehicle control.

Chains are required by law in California, so this may be a deal breaker for me as we are still having snow storms up here in April, with R-2 chain restrictions. I can post the relevant section of the California Vehicle Code for those outside the Western states who dont know what I am talking about.

Is anyone from Ford monitoring this site and can clarify if this is merely legalistic CYA, or is there an overriding engineering reason for the statement above?

 

[BRGT350]

probably meant as a disclaimer for people who don't know how to use snow chains. If I listened to every disclaimer ever put on my cars, they would never leave the garage. I would not worry about it.

 

[golf strom]

Could this be because the electronic traction controls might be confused by the chains??

 

[eRic]

no tire chains may be due to clearance issues between the tires and the front struts. my saturn says not to use chains with 195/60r15 tires but it's ok with 185/65r14 tires.

 

[nikita]

What I know is this, the Honda Fit manual specifies a make and model of cables for both the standard and optional tire size instead of telling you not to use them at all. I agree that possibly an optional size, like 205's may not have enough clearance, but Ford should do the research and specify.

Has anyone in the Movement taken the car to go snowboarding in CA and had to deal with the issue?

I had a Mk I Fiesta. Most of you would not believe that the standard tire was only 155R12, but a Honda Civic of the day used the same size. Chains would clear, but when I put on Panasport rims and 175/70R13s there was no clearance between tire and strut. I essentially had a summer and winter set of tires and rims.

 

[golf strom]

I had a Mk I Fiesta. Most of you would not believe that the standard tire was only 155R12, but a Honda Civic of the day used the same size. Chains would clear, but when I put on Panasport rims and 175/70R13s there was no clearance between tire and strut. I essentially had a summer and winter set of tires and rims.

That's pretty cool nikita!

I almost bought a 1980 Fiesta S from a friend at the car dealership I worked at..... waayyy back in 1984!!!!!!!!We worked together and I was able to get an extensive test drive in it and check it out closely.

While it was a fairly simply car it was well built, and purposeful with pretty nice seats and it had those 155/80/12 tires as well on steelies!!!!!!

The thing handled remarkably well for a basic little subcompact...actually it usually out performed the basic Honda civic competition at that time and had fantastic fuel economy too...

I decided at the last moment to pass the Fiesta S up for a brand new 1984 VW Rabbit GTI...I'm not sorry I bought the GTI it is probably the best car I ever owned!!!!!!

 

[nikita]

Bump.

Seriously, there is not much time to convert a reservation into an order and I need this question answered. There must be someone here who has an inside contact in Ford. Me or even my dealer so far have gotten nothing. Marketing types dont seem to know who to ask.

Thanks.

 

[iamz]

Bump.

Seriously, there is not much time to convert a reservation into an order and I need this question answered. There must be someone here who has an inside contact in Ford. Me or even my dealer so far have gotten nothing. Marketing types dont seem to know who to ask.

Thanks.

Your reservation consultant should be able to get you an answer within a couple of hours.

 

[Matthew Wolfe]

I emailed Sam and the New Car launch Manager (I think that is his title) and should hear back shortly.

 

[nikita]

I did call the reservation consultant at 2PM and he forwarded my request to a "Brand Manager", so I didnt think I was going to get a detailed answer in a couple of huors. Thats ok as long as someone can get an answer from Engineering in a day or two.

Thanks, Matt.

He did find this other somewhat conflicting warning under
Roadside Emergencies

A dissimilar spare tire/wheel is defined as a spare tire and/or wheel that
is different in brand, size or appearance from the road tires and wheels
and can be one of three types:
1. T-type mini-spare: This spare tire begins with the letter “T” for tire
size and may have “Temporary Use Only” molded in the sidewall
2. Full-size dissimilar spare with label on wheel: This spare tire has
a label on the wheel that states: “THIS TIRE AND WHEEL FOR
TEMPORARY USE ONLY”
When driving with one of the dissimilar spare tires listed above, do not:
...
• Use snow chains on the end of the vehicle with the dissimilar spare
tire
...

3. Full-size dissimilar spare without label on wheel
When driving with the full-size dissimilar spare tire/wheel, do not:
...
• Use snow chains on the end of the vehicle with the dissimilar spare
tire/wheel

 

[timo]

snow chains

The general deal with chains is that one of the tire/wheel packages offered in the vehicle line must accomodate snow chains. Perhaps they fit the 185/65-15 tire/wheel package but not the larger ones. That would mean getting a set of those for winter....

 

[Matthew Wolfe]

I did call the reservation consultant at 2PM and he forwarded my request to a "Brand Manager", so I didnt think I was going to get a detailed answer in a couple of huors. Thats ok as long as someone can get an answer from Engineering in a day or two.

Thanks, Matt.

He did find this other somewhat conflicting warning under
Roadside Emergencies

A dissimilar spare tire/wheel is defined as a spare tire and/or wheel that
is different in brand, size or appearance from the road tires and wheels
and can be one of three types:
1. T-type mini-spare: This spare tire begins with the letter “T” for tire
size and may have “Temporary Use Only” molded in the sidewall
2. Full-size dissimilar spare with label on wheel: This spare tire has
a label on the wheel that states: “THIS TIRE AND WHEEL FOR
TEMPORARY USE ONLY”
When driving with one of the dissimilar spare tires listed above, do not:
...
• Use snow chains on the end of the vehicle with the dissimilar spare
tire
...

3. Full-size dissimilar spare without label on wheel
When driving with the full-size dissimilar spare tire/wheel, do not:
...
• Use snow chains on the end of the vehicle with the dissimilar spare
tire/wheel

Nikita,

You're very welcome. I did email that to the brand manager. Sam is prtty good about getting back to us pretty quick, so I hope to get an answer tomorrow.

 

[nikita]

Any news from your end?

My dealer found this, and its not good. I cant post a PDF on this forum, so here is cut and paste text. I copied the whole document for context. Not every FWD car prohibits chain usage. Note that only the Taurus mentions spike spider type traction devices, which I hoped to use if inboard tire to suspension clearance was the issue with the Fiesta.


Tire Chain Usage - 2011 Model Vehicles
The “Tire Chain Usage” information applies only to vehicles as manufactured by Ford Motor Company and its
affiliates, equipped with original equipment tire and wheel assemblies. See your Owner Guide for additional
information and warnings.
NOTE: Do not use tire chains with aluminum wheels, chains may chip the wheels. Use only SAE Class “S” chains.

Crown Victoria, Grand Marquis
Use only cable type chains offered by Ford Motor Company as an accessory or equivalent. Using SAE class “S” or other conventional link type chains may cause damage to the vehicle’s wheel house and/or body.

Edge
Do not use tire chains, cables or optional traction devices on 20 inch or 22 inch wheels. Only use cable chains on 17 inch wheels with P235/65R17 or P245/60R18 tires. Install
cable chains only on the front wheels.

Escape, Mariner
Use only SAE Class “S” cables on the front axle for P235/70R16 or P225/65R17 tires.

Escape Hybrid, Mariner Hybrid
Use only SAE Class “S” cables on the front axle for P235/70R16 tires.

E-Series OK

Expedition, Navigator
Do not use tire chains on front wheels; they may interfere with suspension components. Use only cable type chains. Using SAE class “S” or other conventional link type chains may cause damage to the vehicle’s wheel house and/or body. Do not use tire chains on P275/55R20 tires.

Explorer Not available yet

F-150 Not available yet

F-250/350/450/550 Do not use tire chains on vehicles equipped with 20 inch wheels and tires.

F-650/750 N/A

Fiesta
Do not use any type of tire chains. This includes both conventional and cable type chains.

Flex
Use only SAE Class “S” cables or equivalent on the front axle for P235/60R17, P235/60R18, and P235/55R19 equipped vehicles. Do not install tire chains, cables, or optional traction devices on the rear tires. This could cause damage to the vehicle’s wheel house or body. Do not use tire chains, cables, or optional traction devices with 255/45R20 tires.

Focus
Do not use any type of tire chains. This includes both conventional and cable type chains.

Fusion, Milan
Use only SAE Class “S” cables or equivalent on the front axle for P205/60R16 equipped vehicles. Do not install tire chains, cables, or optional traction devices on the rear tires.
This could cause damage to the vehicle’s wheel house or body. Do not use tire chains, cables, or optional traction devices with optional P225/50R17 or P225/45R18 tires.

Fusion Hybrid, Milan Hybrid, MKZ Hybrid
Do not use any type of tire chains. This includes both conventional and cable type chains

MKS
Use only SAE class “S” cables or equivalent on P235/55R18 tires on
the front tires only. Do not install tire chains, cables, or optional traction devices on the rear tires. This could cause damage to the vehicle’s wheel house or body. Do not use tire chains, cables, or optional traction devices with optional P255/45R19 or 245/45R20 tires.

MKT
Use only SAE Class “S” cables or equivalent on the front axle for P235/55R19 equipped vehicles. Do not install tire chains, cables, or optional traction devices on the rear tires. This could cause damage to the vehicle’s wheel house or body. Do not use tire chains, cables, or optional traction devices with optional 255/45R20 tires.

MKX
Do not use tire chains, cables, or optional traction devices on 20 inch or 22 inch wheels. Only use cable chains on 18 inch wheels with P245/60R18 tires. Install cable chains only on the front wheels.

MKZ
Do not use any type of tire chains. This includes both conventional and cable type chains.

Motorhome OK

Mustang
Only use SAE Class “S” chains on rear wheels for P225/60R17 tires. Do not use tire chains with any other size tire.

Ranger OK

Taurus
Use only SAE class “S” cables or equivalent on P235/60R17 or P235/55R18 tires on the front tires only. Use of optional spike spider type traction devices or equivalent is also acceptable. Do not use tire chains, cables, or optional traction devices with the optional P255/45R19 or P245/45R20 tires. Do not use tire chains, cables, or optional traction devices on rear tires. This could cause damage to the vehicle’s wheel house or body.

Town Car
Use only cable type chains offered by Ford Motor Company as an accessory or equivalent. Using SAE class “S” or other conventional link type chains may cause damage to the vehicle’s wheel house and/or body.

Transit Connect
Do not use any type of tire chains. This includes both conventional and cable type chains.

 

[Marc]

At least it's not the only car with this problem.

Fiesta, Focus, Transit Connect (hmm.. all euro cars!?), Fusion Hybrid, Milan Hybrid, MKZ, MKZ Hybrid

 

[mrbirdman330]

More than likely those vehicles were never tested with chains so they have no knowlege of how they'll react.

 

[nikita]

The current NA Focus is not a Euro product nor is the MKZ. If this was merely neglected for the Fiesta due to lack of time or other reason, someone needs to say so.

 

[Jazzdog]

Most probable answer is there is no room for cables as the wheel goes through its' full range of motion. The larger wheels and tires come at a price.

 

[Chan]

.........snow?


- Southern California

 

[mrbirdman330]

You should go to Minnesota during winter you'll get all the snow you want for a life time.

 

[nikita]

.........snow?


- Southern California

Uh, yeah. We had more than 15 feet up here this season. I'm in Running Springs at 6000ft. The last snow storm was only a week ago. Snow Valley resort, ten minutes from here and about two hours from Los Angeles, still has a four foot base and will be open for at least a few more days.