Tire chain clearance
#1
Tire chain clearance
Hello, I have a 99 Monte Carlo Z34 with 225/60R16 tires. I was looking to get some tire chains but I read in the owner's manual that I shouldn't use tire chains because there isn't enough clearance and they can damage the car.
I looked on Amazon anyway and they said that a number of chains would fit my vehicle. It looked like chains were typically 10mm thick. But I don't know if Amazon is just using my tire size or if it knows something about Monte Carlos that I don't.
Unfortunately I live in an apartment complex so it's a little difficult for me to check the clearance manually, so I was hoping someone here might have had first hand experience with using chains on their Monte.
I looked on Amazon anyway and they said that a number of chains would fit my vehicle. It looked like chains were typically 10mm thick. But I don't know if Amazon is just using my tire size or if it knows something about Monte Carlos that I don't.
Unfortunately I live in an apartment complex so it's a little difficult for me to check the clearance manually, so I was hoping someone here might have had first hand experience with using chains on their Monte.
#2
Amazon is just showing you chains that fit 16" tires. I'm not sure about a 5th gen because your wheel wells are shaped a bit different.
Having a memory of the chains we used back in the day (granted they were used on a truck) they probably would be grabbing inside the wheel well. So I'm going to say the owners manual is probably correct that our cars can't take them.
Personally I have no need for chains as we normally don't exceed 6 inches a night, and we'll have it plowed before the next night piles up again. So I can't speak from experience.
Having a memory of the chains we used back in the day (granted they were used on a truck) they probably would be grabbing inside the wheel well. So I'm going to say the owners manual is probably correct that our cars can't take them.
Personally I have no need for chains as we normally don't exceed 6 inches a night, and we'll have it plowed before the next night piles up again. So I can't speak from experience.
#6
Thanks for the quick responses. I recently moved to California and they'll put chain controls on roads in the mountains sometimes. I'd rather not use chains at all but I would still like to go skiing. This is my only vehicle so I was hoping it would be possible. Snow tires apparently don't cut it unless you have 4WD.
Last edited by qacek; 01-02-2013 at 11:26 PM.
#8
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Mentor, Ohio
Posts: 12,156
If the locations you travel don't plow/salt the road ways, then those are NOT locations for a car. You should consider a 4x4, 4WD or AWD vehicle.
I live in an area known for getting blasted by winter snow, drive a FWD car with good all season tires. That's usually plenty. I know one or two guys that live around here and use snow tires in the winter and rave about how good they are.
I live in an area known for getting blasted by winter snow, drive a FWD car with good all season tires. That's usually plenty. I know one or two guys that live around here and use snow tires in the winter and rave about how good they are.
#9
When they say not to use chains I think they are referring to (old school) traction devices that are literally made out of chain. Last Winter when we had some ice and snow on the roads I test fit my cable chains and drove the car a couple of miles. No problems whatsoever with clearance. I'm running 225/55R17 tires. Larger sizes will have less clearance. The main cause of damage from chains is improper installation.
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