I am never going to go anywhere bad enough to warrant snow chains but a mate asked me about them the other day and I must say I have never fitted any to any car.

Have any of you guys ever used them on the FL2 or any other car?

Also, how easy are they to fit?

My mate has a C-Class Merc and is thinking about investing. LL.B (Hons) - University of Derby
LOT (Lord of Time) - University of Gallifrey

Sorry, can't help there. I'd sooner invest in a spare used set of cheapo wheels and a set of winter / snow tyres.

It's like trying tow wrap a delicate large round present with a mass of tangled metal spaghetti, but with numb fingers. The instructions make it look easier than it actually is. My advice - practice on a warm dry day, not on a mountain road in the dark at 10pm in heavy snow and arctic temperatures.

Tigger wrote:

Sorry, can't help there. I'd sooner invest in a spare used set of cheapo wheels and a set of winter / snow tyres.

A while back I had to fit chains one day. Swore never again and brought a 4wd car after. Realising that the extra cost of the 4wd came to about £100 per km of snow driving my next car was 2wd only. Guess what? After another chains incident I've now ordered a FL2.

I also bought a 4x4 (FL2) after having to use snow chains on a regular visit to the Alps in winter. They are hard to put on and equally hard to take off. Freelander 2 TD4 HSE auto Tonga Green/Alpaca

Are chains legal on UK roads?
Used them years ago on G wagon, go anywhere.
As for fitting, try posting a set of bag pipes, you will get the idea

taztastic wrote:

Are chains legal on UK roads?
Used them years ago on G wagon, go anywhere.
As for fitting, try posting a set of bag pipes, you will get the idea

On an another interesting note, a guy my dad knows has a 10 plate BMW 320d. Very nice car and he was saying the other day that in winter 2009 he couldn't get anywhere. Last winter he was on the brink of snow chains but decided to splash out on winter tyres instead.

It made a huge difference and he could get about better. He did however concede that last winters snow was so thick on the side streets that even the winter tyres couldn't get the beemer down.

On that basis I shall have to tempt my mate into part chopping the Merc for a FL2 and stuff the snow chains  LL.B (Hons) - University of Derby
LOT (Lord of Time) - University of Gallifrey

For snow chains read Slide-rules (no pun intended) - yesterday's solution. But maybe young whippersnappers don't know what slide-rules were........

In the here and now folks use winter tyres +/- 4WD - and calculate using IT tools.

I didn't have chains for my Freelander last season but I did have them in previous seasons for my Defender. I bought a decent pair and with a bit of practice could get them on both tyres in just over 5 minutes. They also made a world of difference, making the Defender usable and less like a 2.5 tonne sledge. Last season with a FL2 and snow tyres, chains never even looked like being needed.

Just to clarify, I spend the winters in a ski resort in the Swiss alps, so normally lots of snow and ice to negotiate.

athelstan and benski - what's the legal requirement for tyres and chains in the alps?

I thought winter tyres AND chains were mandatory in most alpine regions in the winter season.

I ask because I'll be taking my new FL2 (due 20Oct!) to Verbier from Jan to April.

I used snow chains once many years ago on a front wheel drive astra. They were only useful on deep or packed snow and incredibly uncomfortable and noisy and had to be taken off as soon as I reached a cleared road. Never used them again but they're still somewhere in the house but I wont need them as I now have the FL2 and some winter tyres to go on when it gets colder.

trekntrail
Can only speak for Switzerland (each country has its own legal system) and hear you should fit winter tyres to all cars used on public roads. I say should - the fact is that if you do not and you are involved in an accident in winter then a) the police will issue an even bigger fine, and your insurance company will reduce significantly the amount they will pay out on your policy.

Winter tyres come on end October, early November latest - weather dependent. If you are driving a recognised 4x4 (as listed in the traffic departments rules) then you are with winter tyres fitted generally excused fitting snow chains, however that is a discretionary guide so don't plough into another vehicle. If you are driving a 2WD you must fit snow chains where the traffic sign indicates.

Remember "Winter Tyres" means specifically design for winter and not all purpose compromises like M&S.

Last edited by athelstan on 18th Sep 2011 7:13 pm. Edited 1 time in total

As I have written about before, I have spike spider traction system for the FL2 and although as stated this car is remarkable, you have to drive it with the spiders to really appreciate how good they are. As for fitting, these are so quick you wouldn't consider it a problem.
For chains on a normal car, I also had these for my Civic and although quite fidderly to fit, again a very big difference to how the car handles. I spent sometime practising the fitting and made sure they were put away in a way that they were easy to fit the next time needed.
To be honest, spiders or similar are available for most cars and this is the way to go.