Can you put tire chains on an MME?

[Lady Anne]

OK, I realize that it’s an AWD vehicle and I’VW got over thirty years of driving in Alaska under my belt. Driving in real winter conditions is something I know how to do! Currently I live in the PNW where generally we have rainy wet conditions. We’ve only owned our MME for a couple of months so I’m not really excited about putting a set of studded winter tires on it quite yet. Has any one tried putting chains on a MME yet, maybe not the heavy chains with lugs, but the cable or synthetic strap type? I realize that chaining this thing up may be a little sacreligous in the MME world, but what the hell it’s advertised as an SUV!

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[jamelski]

There is this thing called an owner‘s manual?‍

 

[neutrino]

Given that the directions in the manual exclude any of the Premium or GT trims using chains… I’m thinking of snow socks which are legal in OR when chains are required. Anyone else considering snow socks? I’m disappointed those were not addressed in the manual instructions.

 

[Lady Anne]

That’s great, who would have ever thought about looking at a manual? Has anybody actually tried it!

 

[rhougey]

OK, I realize that it’s an AWD vehicle and I’VW got over thirty years of driving in Alaska under my belt. Driving in real winter conditions is something I know how to do! Currently I live in the PNW where generally we have rainy wet conditions. We’ve only owned our MME for a couple of months so I’m not really excited about putting a set of studded winter tires on it quite yet. Has any one tried putting chains on a MME yet, maybe not the heavy chains with lugs, but the cable or synthetic strap type? I realize that chaining this thing up may be a little sacreligous in the MME world, but what the hell it’s advertised as an SUV!

I regularly drive between my home in the flatlands and my home in the mountains (230 miles each way). I purchased this car specifically so that I could often make this drive back and forth for free. Approximately 95% of our charging is from self generated solar power. We call this car the "free car". If there is snow at the mountain home, we drive the 4WD truck, and it's anything but free. That being said, I have purchased a set of low clearance chains for the Mach-E in the off-chance we experience an unscheduled snowfall. My Mach-E is a Premium RWD-X model. It has the 225/55-19 tires. The owner's manual does indeed state not to use chains on this size tire. If you do the math, the height of this tire is within a couple of millimeters of the 225/60-18, and the section width is the same. I have been under the rear of the car, and I am comfortable with the clearances around my rear tires. I have not yet had the opportunity to test-fit these chains, but I am at this point confident, that if they are installed properly, I will be able to use them in a pinch without damage to the car. If I do damage my car, it's my own fault. But it's my car to damage. More than likely I will never actually use the chains on this car. I do plan to test-fit the chains soon.

 

[SeattleMachE]

Hi, fellow PNW-er. Thanks for starting this discussion, with our recent weather this has been on my mind as well and am very interested in people's experiences so far.

FWIW - I've got the Premium AWD and I recently ordered a set of the AutoSock product. It's listed as an approved alternative traction device by the WS DOT. I'm waiting for it to arrive still. Once it gets here I'm going to practice putting it on, but unsure if I'll be able to actually test it out. I wanted to have it on-hand for whenever I next travel through Stevens or Snoqualmie Pass.

Vehicle & Equipment Requirements - WSP (wa.gov)

 

[rhougey]

FWIW - I've got the Premium AWD and I recently ordered a set of the AutoSock product. It's listed as an approved alternative traction device by the WS DOT. I'm waiting for it to arrive still. Once it gets here I'm going to practice putting it on, but unsure if I'll be able to actually test it out. I wanted to have it on-hand for whenever I next travel through Stevens or Snoqualmie Pass.

I used to carry the AutoSock product in my 2017 Chevy Volt. I never had to use them, so I can't offer real life experience. The AutoSock is approved also in California.

 

[Lola2004]

Given that the directions in the manual exclude any of the Premium or GT trims using chains… I’m thinking of snow socks which are legal in OR when chains are required. Anyone else considering snow socks? I’m disappointed those were not addressed in the manual instructions.

I am thinking about them, take delivery early Jan, but will probably do studies winter tires. Live on the Turner hills, we have 8 inches so far, my tesla neighbor is not even trying. But a bolt owner here is driving around just fine with socks

 

[phidauex]

I’m surprised that the manual forbids chains on the 19” wheels. The tire tread width and diameter are exactly the same as on the 18” wheels. I don’t think I’d hesitate to run chains on the 19” wheels, and I measured something like 25mm of inside clearance.

The 20” are indeed wider and the clearance would be tighter.

The lowest profile chains I’ve used are the Peerless Super Z8, they have something like 8mm of sidewalk clearance. The Super Z6 might be even a bit less. They are easy to install and tension. In the right size these should easily be compatible with the 225 width tires. 245 width would merit a careful fitting session.

 

[rhougey]

I’m surprised that the manual forbids chains on the 19” wheels. The tire tread width and diameter are exactly the same as on the 18” wheels. I don’t think I’d hesitate to run chains on the 19” wheels, and I measured something like 25mm of inside clearance.

My considered opinion exactly. Please note that Ford does not forbid chains on the 19" wheels. The manual just says "follow these guidelines". What did we do before this kind of information was published for us? I think we used our own judgement.

 

[highland58]

Hi, fellow PNW-er. Thanks for starting this discussion, with our recent weather this has been on my mind as well and am very interested in people's experiences so far.

FWIW - I've got the Premium AWD and I recently ordered a set of the AutoSock product. It's listed as an approved alternative traction device by the WS DOT. I'm waiting for it to arrive still. Once it gets here I'm going to practice putting it on, but unsure if I'll be able to actually test it out. I wanted to have it on-hand for whenever I next travel through Stevens or Snoqualmie Pass.

Vehicle & Equipment Requirements - WSP (wa.gov)

I was not aware there was such a thing. Les Schwab says they sell both autosocks and easysocks, which they say are the same thing made by two different companies. I have ordered 2 pairs, to cover all 4 wheels with AWD. We will feel more comfortable having them with us just in case we need them. I will store a tow strap, short shovel, and these in my frunk, so it does not feel neglected.

 

[dtbaker61]

OK, I realize that it’s an AWD vehicle and I’VW got over thirty years of driving in Alaska under my belt. Driving in real winter conditions is something I know how to do! Currently I live in the PNW where generally we have rainy wet conditions. We’ve only owned our MME for a couple of months so I’m not really excited about putting a set of studded winter tires on it quite yet. Has any one tried putting chains on a MME yet, maybe not the heavy chains with lugs, but the cable or synthetic strap type? I realize that chaining this thing up may be a little sacreligous in the MME world, but what the hell it’s advertised as an SUV!

there is NOT a lot of clearance.... chains may be allowed, but a real bitch to put on and off. I would suggest a second set of wheels with good snowtires (not studded) that you can swap on and off as conditions require.

I put a set of Vredestein Wintrac Pro on the stock wheels, and got nicer wheels for summer that I'll use most of the year....

 

[SeattleMachE]

I was not aware there was such a thing. Les Schwab says they sell both autosocks and easysocks, which they say are the same thing made by two different companies. I have ordered 2 pairs, to cover all 4 wheels with AWD. We will feel more comfortable having them with us just in case we need them. I will store a tow strap, short shovel, and these in my frunk, so it does not feel neglected.

One thing I’m not sure about - if I read the manual right, it says to put snow chains only on the rear set of tires. Presumably this would apply to the socks as well?

 

[highland58]

One thing I’m not sure about - if I read the manual right, it says to put snow chains only on the rear set of tires. Presumably this would apply to the socks as well?

The snowsocks web site FAQ says if you have 4WD or AWD, to put them on all 4 wheels. For 2WD, put them on the drive wheels. On my explorer I used to put chains on all 4 wheels, I had so much traction that I could drag a car uphill, out of a ditch, in the snow. Traction control might get weird with only 2 used.

 

[highland58]

After driving in the snow the last couple of days, I noticed that the wheel wells filled up with snow, and there was a lot of snow just caught up in the wheel. This might be the reason that they don't recommend chains, they would seem to bring even more snow into the wheel well, and pack it up fairly tight. There may be a fair amount of apparent clearance with no snow, that space mostly becomes packed snow. Pickup trucks and actual SUVs have large wheel wells, snow can't fill it all before much of it falls out. The MME wheel wells are much smaller. I used a broom to dig a lot of it out, a large pile of snow on the garage floor was the result, had to sweep/shovel it out of the garage.

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