Tire chains / cables recommendations

Chainspell

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This is correct.

California CHP will look for tires with the "snowflake on mountain" before they will let you thru their chain control checkpoint without traction devices.

Under R1 conditions, I used to travel up to Mammoth mountain (Eastern Sierra Nevada mountain range) and having a set of the snow rated tires allowed passage without chains on the tires.

R2 and up - traction devices required.
I go through the passes a couple times a year and have never had them check for that, or even look at the tires. They usually just ask you "AWD?" (if you are in a SUV) and you say yes and you're on your merry way.

Per Caltrans: "Snow-tread tires can be identified by examining the sidewall of the tire where the letters MS, M/S, M+S or the words MUD AND SNOW have been stamped into the sidewall."

No 3-peak rating required.
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fleeps

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Why does Ford recommend putting chains on the rear tires only? Aren't the front tires usually providing most of the driving force?
 

HappyMach

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I’ll second these. The cables are lowest profile and these ones install/take down in about 1-2 min per wheel, crazy fast and no need to adjust tension. If you use them a lot, I suggest buying backup tensioning bands, but for AWD “just in case,” you’re probably fine.
Looks like these are the tensioners that go with the SCC SZ429 cables:
SZ1174 Tire Traction Chain Rubber Tightener
 

rreddy3

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Why does Ford recommend putting chains on the rear tires only? Aren't the front tires usually providing most of the driving force?
Since this thread was bumped I scanned through it. It doesn't look like your question was answered.

No, the Mach E is not front bias. It is a rear drive bias car which is one of the reasons it's more fun to drive. Since it's rear drive bias, that's where the chains go on the configurations allowing safe chain use. In post #29 above I offered my opinion on chain brand.
 

fleeps

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No, the Mach E is not front bias. It is a rear drive bias car which is one of the reasons it's more fun to drive. Since it's rear drive bias, that's where the chains go on the configurations allowing safe chain use. In post #29 above I offered my opinion on chain brand.
The CarScanner app reports torque, etc., for Primary and Secondary motors. I didn't realize that Primary is rear and secondary is front. Thank you.
 

EMachE

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I’ve been using winter tires and have no issues whatsoever.
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