SNOW CHAINS

[Graham Pritchard]

I will be going to a ski area in a few months and will need to fit snow chains (compulsory in France in many areas).
I have a B200 2013 - any thoughts on what makes are towards the most capable? Should they only go on the rear wheels or do I need on all four wheels?

 

[Judwin]

Snow chains aren't compulsary in France. Snow/Winter equipment is (in certain areas)- which also covers winter tyres and snow socks. However, it is true that whilst proper winter tyres will do 90%+ of what a snow chain will do, there is still a chance that in really extreme conditions you won't get to where you're going without snow chains. I have both winter tyres and snow chains, but have never had to use the chains since I bought the winter tyres.

If you're thinking of travelling down on your normal summer tyres, then yes you should get a set of snow chains. You probably won't have to use them, but if the roads are snowy/icy then you will be stuffed without them - not to mention that the rozzers may stop you going up the mountain without them fitted. Check your owners manual to ensure you can fit snow chains to your standard wheels - sometimes there isn't enough clearance between the tyres and suspension/brake components to fit them, in which case you'll need smaller wheels/tyres.

The French supermarkets/hypermarkets east of Lyon all sell snow chains, so assuming you're going to stop somewhere to stock up on vino and fromage, thats probably the best place to get them. On the other hand, if you buy them in the UK you get a chance to practice fitting them. Depending how practical you are, it may be best if your first attempt to fit them isn't in the dark on a narrow wet/snowy/freezing mountain road.

The chains go on the driven wheels. On a front wheel drive car (or more correctly wrong wheel drive car) they go on the front wheels. On a rear wheel drive car (or correct wheel drive car) they go on the rear wheels. There is an argument that you should perhaps fit them to all 4 wheels, but literally no-one does that.

ETA : If it's a diesel (your sig indicates CDI) and if you're parking outdoors in resort, make sure you fill up with winter diesel before going up the mountain. Most (all?) "petrol" stations east of Lyon will sell it by default. Normal diesel can freeze in sub zero temperatures, and you don't want to be scrabbling around in the cold on departure day trying to defrost a frozen fuel tank.

 

[Mark A]

I would do all 4.

If you can only do 2 it would need to be front as B Class is front wheel drive I believe.

 

[Blobcat]

Do you have winter tyres as well?

 

[mioba]

You dont need to drive with snow chains as you seem to allude. You might well need a set in the boot legally

Winter tyres you will legally need I have no doubt.

using summer tyres in a ski region - then thats just suicide.

Winter tyres on and snow chains in the boot. Chains only for the drive wheels.

I lived in Munich for several and was often in the Alps.

or get a W251

 

[Judwin]

Winter tyres you will legally need I have no doubt.

Nope. France is the same as the UK (and different to Switzerland and Germany). No legal requirement for winter tyres. There is a legal requirement for winter equipment in certain areas, but that requirement can be met by any of winter tyres (anything carrying the 3 peaks and snowflake marking), or snow socks, or snow chains.

using summer tyres in a ski region - then thats just suicide.

You'll find the majority of non local cars up a French alp are on summers. Hire cars from Lyon airport are usually on summers, as are most from the French side of Geneva airport.

 

[LostKiwi]

You dont need to drive with snow chains as you seem to allude. You might well need a set in the boot legally

Winter tyres you will legally need I have no doubt.

using summer tyres in a ski region - then thats just suicide.

Winter tyres on and snow chains in the boot. Chains only for the drive wheels.

I lived in Munich for several and was often in the Alps.

or get a W251

That's a big bus to be sliding around on snow!

 

[Craiglxviii]

That's a big bus to be sliding around on snow!

…. But now you want to try it!!!

 

[mioba]

That's a big bus to be sliding around on snow!

hmmmm tempted are you....

 

[Graham Pritchard]

Thanks all.....there IS a new law in France that says in many areas you MUST legally fit winter tyres or snow chains. from 1 November until I think the end of March. Seems these roads will be marked B58/B59.

 

[Graham Pritchard]

https://www.french-property.com/news/french_life/winter_tyres_obligatory_mountain_areas

 

[Judwin]

Thanks all.....there IS a new law in France that says in many areas you MUST legally fit winter tyres or snow chains. from 1 November until I think the end of March. Seems these roads will be marked B58/B59.

The new law simply extends the places where the winter "equipment" rules apply from specific roads (indicated by a blue sign with the studed/chained wheel) to entire municipalities/regions. It does not change what you have to carry or fit. Summers plus chains or socks in the boot is still acceptable/legal everywhere in France. You don't have to fit the chains or socks unless conditions require it.

Additionally the law won't be enforced this winter (2021-22), and there are French elections in the spring. If lots of Parisienes got stopped in a winter for not having winter tyres then you could expect the law to go the same way as the breathalyser one.

 

[keefysher]

Hire a set, lots of places online. There is a co in Tonbridge you can collect from en route to channel where they show you how to fit them

If buying, Rud, Thule /Konig (I use them) are the better brands.

An anti wax diesel recovery fluid is useful. I carry Amsoil. If you suffer a diesel freeze as can happen if underground fuel tanks rupture (known of it around Bourg St Maurice) or too much condensation if a nearly empty car tank is sat in the open, so sun on it in the day, freeze overnight. A spare fuel filter, you swap out the waxed one for the new one, til with anti wax, then add rest of bottle into fuel tank, let it dwell, then away you go.

The likelihood of actually needing to use chains is very low. The locals know how to deal with snow. In over 40 years of driving to european ski resorts have used chains 5 times.

Remember to put them at the first space (as you look into a full boot) in your full boot, with gloves, hat and something to kneel on (I use a piece of the interlocking foam floor tiles used in garage).

 

[Graham Pritchard]

Terrific advice - many thanks.