I’m really glad to have found your page.

My family and I just relecated from Florida to the Seattle area. I am now in the process of shopping around for a sedan-type vehicle for my wife. In addition, we’d like to be able to take this vehicle to the mountains during winter and enjoy the recreational opportunities here in the Northwest.

Being from Florida, I’m not an expert in winter driving, though I do have some experience, and I have a lot of questions.

I’ve been trying to digest through the information out there and before I buy a car, I just want to make sure my family is safe during winter.

I am looking at Subaru Imprezas because of AWD but I was discouraged by the fact that the owner’s manual states not to put chains on the tires.

Is the AWD capability with all-season tires enough for most situations? What about using cables instead of chains?

I was also wondering about snow tires. I was reading that one shouldn’t drive winter tires above 50mph. So what is the answer for say, a road trip where we go on the interstate for a while? Do we have to change tires when we’re getting ready to go up in the mountains? Are winter tires safe for interstate driving?

Thanks for your patience with us Florida transplants. Any info you may give us will be greatly appreciated.

Diego

Any advice for mud conditions?

I’m in New Mexico…it’s a clay based mud. I’ve got a 2001 Subaru Outback wagon with Yokohama geolander A/T-S 215/50R16 (went smaller at advice of mechanic).

The problem I’m having is the back end sliding more than i think it should on the dirt/rock road I live on(when muddy). It helped a bit by placing weights in the back of the car. I did have my mechanic check that the AWD was working and he said it was.

Also, I have noticed significantly more tread wear on the rear tires after a year and a half.

Any advice on tires or the situation?

I have a new 2010 Impreza Premium 5 door that is about a month old. We are planning a trip to the snow, and see the owners manual says NO to chains on the Impreza due to clearance issues. I live in CA and CA-DOT has certain chain requirements. One of which says you have to use chains even if your manufacturer says you shouldn’t - you can use cables or Spike’s spider(?).

My main question is what is the best way to equip myself for the snow and stay compliant with both Subaru and DOT?

Any info is appreciated. We are hoping to take the Buarsu up to the snow instead of my Tacoma (which has clearance for chains/cables), but want to be safe compliant.

Thanks for any assistance.

-Leo

If it was me I would get a set of Stud less snow and Ice tires on a different set of rims.

The 2 hour drive will not mess up stud-less snow tires, that is part of the reason they are such a good idea.

Hope that helps

Justin

The first gear thing was probably not the best way to go as it kind of creates a increased wheel torque situation, I would first lower the tire pressure down to 24 psi the next time, and try that.

Justin

I live in Los Angeles and I’m the owner of a 2006 STI. I would love to go up the mountains in Big Bear but I dont have winter/snow tires. I currently have Nitto Neogen tires (all season tires). I’ve read that chains are not recommended for the STI for various reasons. Am I good to go up the mountains in the tires that I currently have? Or do I need winter tires? Also, If I do need winter tires wont the 2 hour drive up to Big Bear mess them up?

The Forrester coming up the drive with about 3 or a little more fresh snow, slipped and spun but made it. I shifted it into 1st gear before going up. Was the 1st gear the right ting to do or any advice on another approach?

I really don’t like the idea of different tread patterns and depths on a Subaru.

If the tires are close in tread design and within 2/32 of tread depth difference from the front to the rear I would say it’s a calculated gamble if they are not its a much larger gamble you wont damage the AWD system.

Justin

I really have not tried any chains on a 2010 Outback as of yet.

I will comment that those are one of the sets I have been trying to demo this year, but we have had such limited snowfall this year its just difficult to get it all done.

Justin