Snow Chains - Ford Forums - Mustang Forum, Ford Trucks, Ford Focus and Ford Cars

PETE_XR6 · 06-08-2002, 02:46

The ski season is here , i drive a XR6HP with 17 inch wheels . Can i put snow chains on my car . When i drove a VT the mannual said to change to 15 inch wheels if you want to put snow chains on!

botch · 06-08-2002, 03:09

Ha ha ha, i hope it also said to carry some whisky to keep you warm

Snow chain sizes are determined by the tyre size.

eg

245/50 x 17 for example if you give the numbers off the tyres to a ski shop they should be able to look up and find the correct sized chains to suit this tyre.

the only reason that i can think of putting 15" wheels on is for a little bit more clearance?

PURSUTE · 06-08-2002, 03:10

NO! don't put chains on your 17s.

there are a couple of reasons.

1. because the tyres are lower profile the chains will actually come down and run on the rim, damaging if not destroying them.

2. the reduced clearance between wheel and body/suspention may mean that the chains will contact the body/suspention doing untold damage.

my best suggestion would be to get a couple of old 15s, put some ok tyres on them and then keep them in the garage with the chains fitted to them. then all you need to do is chuck them in the boot when you go to the snow, and bolt them on when required.

PETE_XR6 · 06-08-2002, 03:29

Dam .. i knew i should have ticked the 15 inch option box when ordering my car

CSV Strada SiR · 06-10-2002, 15:58

You can run chains on 17's and 18's I have run them on my ute and HSV and they do not touch/mark the rims!
The expensive diamond cross chains are fine and only touch the tyres and are plastic coated near your rims anyway. Make sure they fit correctly and you wont have any dramas- fit them up and lift your car to check clearance on the inside aswell.
However if you only use hire ones buy some 15's