Driving in Snow and Ice

[fjbbartow]

This post is for the folks who live and drive in snow country. I drive a 2024 Mach e Premium AWD Extended Battery. I am driving on Michelin CrossClimate 2 All Weather Tires. Currently we are experiencing server snowstorms in northeast California. We have some important business to attend to in the bay area starting tomorrow afternoon. Currently the roads going down the mountain are requiring chains/cables or snow tires or 4wheel drive and sometimes snow tires.

My question is what devices you people in snow country using to drive in heavy snow conditions? From reading the owner's manual chains/cables are permitted just as long as there is proper clearance. One comment I read stated to install the chains/cables on the front tires only. Any suggestions would be most appreciated. Thanks.

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[GreaseMonkey]

Snow tires like x-ice. Even with a narrow set of x-ice tires, my GT slid through an intersection and scared the shit out of me. I can’t imagine going down a mountain in these conditions.

 

[Beerbronco]

I have driven through snow storms over Vail pass with the stock all seasons and now have the cross climate all seasons and have no issues. I think if I live in an area that got a consistent amount of snow where you were always driving in either packed snow or powder I would get dedicated snow tires but I think the GT AWD handles as well as my 4x4 Xterra if the snow is under 12 inches.

 

[AnimalChin]

Death doesn't RSVP. U might not get the opportunity to put chains on. All-Season tires won't cut it. It's on YOU if u go without snow tires.

 

[RickMachE]

Given the low clearance of the Mach-E, and the conditions, it's time to do a remote meeting.

 

[JohnFoxeSheets]

If you have to be there in person, I'd see if you can locally rent a vehicle better equipped for the road conditions you'll be encountering. Worse comes to worst, you may be able to get away with using low profile chains on the rear tires; hard cornering would not be advised. Here's the info from the 2022 owners manual.

Follow these guidelines when using snow tires and chains:

• Use ultra low profile cables, 10 mm or less in dimension as measured on the sidewall of your tire, only with 225/60R18 all season tires.

• Do not use snow chains or cables with 225/55R19 or 245/45R20.

• Not all S-class snow chains or cables meet the same restrictions. Chains of this size restriction will include a tensioning device.

• Purchase chains or cables from a manufacturer that clearly labels body to tire dimension restrictions. The snow chains or cables must be mounted in pairs on the rear tires only.

• When driving with snow chains do not exceed 30 mph (50 km/h) or the maximum speed recommended by the chain manufacturer, whichever is less.

• Install cables securely, verifying that the cables do not touch any wiring or brake lines.

• Drive cautiously. If you hear the cables rub or bang against the vehicle, stop and retighten them. If this does not work, remove the cables to prevent vehicle damage.

• Remove the tire chains when they are no longer needed. Do not use tire chains on dry roads.

If you have any questions regarding snow chains or cables, please contact your authorized dealer.

 

[tbrumleve]

I regularly drive up to Mt Hood and Mt Bachelor from Portland with studless winter tires (Michelin X-ICE). I have a set of snow socks for emergencies, but haven’t used them yet. No issues with traction in heavy snow or ice.

 

[fjbbartow]

Thanks for the information. I went ahead and purchased some snow tires we live.
Heracles Alverlance snow tires.

 

[jkkd5467]

Worse comes to worst, you may be able to get away with using low profile chains on the rear tires;

2 points to Griffindor for using "Worse comes to worst" correctly.

 

[robi]

Sounds like you have made your snow tire selection already but I’ll add my observations so far on a set of Continental VikingContact 8 225/60 R18 snow tires I am running on my 2025 Mach E Premium. I put these on a used set of 18“ Ford OEM rims I sourced on FaceBook Marketplace so I can have a dedicated set of wheels to swap back and forth each winter. Only 6 weeks usage so far but they have been put to the test on a few occasions with snow and ice on hilly roads we drive in the northern Catskill Mountains. Very happy with their traction performance so far and I’ve not noticed any concerns with increased tire noise.

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