Tire Chains on BE Legacy

[STIdarkside]

I love to go snowboarding and in Washington and Oregon they require that all cars carry chains regardless of 4wd/awd... I have a 2001 Legacy L with 205/55R16 Michelin X-Ice Xi2 snow tires on it. The manual says you can't use chains on that tire size but there is only a difference of roughly 0.1 inches in diameter from the 205/60R15 tire size that came stock.

I never had the original size tires on this car... I don't plan on having to use chains but they do mandate that one must carry chains. If I had to in a pinch, would chains work and I would need to get the cable type chains, correct?

Thanks for the feedback...

[STIdarkside]

I'm hoping someone on here has experience with this... Thanks

[Bookem]

I know Washington was changing the laws when I was moving away ten years ago, used to need chain if you didn't have studded tires. Now if you have awd or 4wd you do not need to carry chains in a passenger vehicle, but there are times when the signs say you to pass you need to put them on. Here's their website, do some reading i just skimmed over for a refresher.

http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/winter/studtire.htm

http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/COMM/winterd ... tion_tires (http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/COMM/winterdriving.shtml#Chains_and_traction_tires)

Personally I would never use chains, if it's that bad just stop. Chains are for getting out of trouble, not into trouble, and I had a truck with plenty of wheel clearance. Back in the day you had to have chains even with snow tires and 4wd/awd. Washington had a deal where you buy them in the fall in the spring you could get a full return if in good condition in the spring, except they changed the law in the middle of winter so I'm stuck with chains I'll never use. I used snow tires and if that couldn't do I didn't drive, and believe me if the signs say chains required on with 4wd/awd it was bad. I was coming back from the Tri-cities to Tacoma one time and was the last person through Snoqualmie before they closed it. I didn't believe it was bad so I tapped the brakes, all four locked up and I was gaining speed around the mountain. Not cool.

[STIdarkside]

I never intend to use chains but it is advised in both Washington and Oregon that you should carry chains. I have already read the laws and it is advised that you carry chains because if they do checkpoints due to bad conditions, you can get cited for not having them.

I don't believe in chains or studds, but I would like to pick up a cheap set just to have in the car in case...

Thanks for the feedback...

[Matty2Hotty]

Remember 2 years ago my roommate in his OB wagon chained up cause it was horrible up at the pass, we used the cable style and just had them on the fronts.

[STIdarkside]

So do you think chains will fit on 205/55r16 tires on 16x7.5 +42 offset rims? Has anyone put chains on a BE legacy before?

I believe those are the specs for my rims, I finally found info on them...

[Bookem]

Should have enough room for all options, but double check clearances. Here's a link to some options.
http://www.tirechain.com/P205-55R-16.htm

[scubydu]

Les Schwab tire stores still have the return for a full refund if not used in the spring deal. That's what I would do if you don't plan on using them.

[STIdarkside]

Les Schwab tire stores still have the return for a full refund if not used in the spring deal. That's what I would do if you don't plan on using them.

Have you ran chains on your car?

[scubydu]

no. but the 205-55 are actually smaller diameter than the 205-60, so I don't see why it would be a problem. just talk to the tire shop guys and get them sized for your tire.

[DCM-LEGACY]

I live in oregon, and work for a board shop never been stopped for it, and if you have mountain certified tires they will let you go with those, you dont have to have chains

[loganmossmusic]

That site Bookem linked to says if you have studded tires and All wheel drive you dont need chains.. Plus I live in Washington and never had any problems. Studded tires usually is enough for any authority figures who care.