I've never driven across the mountains before, and I'm not quite sure what to expect, so I thought I'd ask some of you who live there. I’m moving from North Dakota and I’ll be taking I-90 over to Seattle before I head down to Portland. I’ve heard people tell me that I should get snow chains to get through the mountain passes, but I don’t know if I’ll even need them on the interstate. I know how to drive on snow and ice, so that shouldn’t be an issue. I’m just not sure how bad the roads could get through the mountains and think I should maybe pick up a set just in case.

So should I get chains or cables? Anyone recommend any particular type or brand that works well and won’t damage my wheels/tires? I still have on the stock wheels with Potenza tires (which aren’t too great on snow and ice to begin with).

 

cables should be fine.... not quite as bulky of chains so little to no risk of clearence issues.

if you buy them from a national chain... some places will give u full refund for them if you dont end up using them

 

Welcome to the Pacific Northwest!! You will shocked to see how many people have escaped the Midwest, and moved here (like me)!

I am sure you have driven in worse conditions than the passes, but the difference would be the grade (how steep the hills are). If you drive smart, slowly if the weather requires, you should be okay.

I do know that most people will carry chains with them, and I think that is a pretty good idea. Also be prepared to spend the night somewhere if weather gets really bad. The only place you have to worry about on your drive should be just before you get to Seattle, through the Cascades. The drive from Seattle to Portland will be no trouble at all...

Good luck on your drive, and I know you will love living out here. I have never regretted the move...(thanks Victor!)!

 

Welcome & Good Luck on the drive!!!

 

I just wanted to chime in and say that not only might you need cables or chains for your own traction but because they could be required/mandatory at the time you go over the pass. (Infact, I always hear them say "Chains Required"... does that mean only chains or are cables okay too?)

Do you have Les Schwab? They offer the refund that Kkwana mentioned.

 

one thing to remember about cables is that they can break if driven over relatively snow-free roads for any considerable period of time. once one of the cables wears out, it will swing around, and gouge the crap out of your paint around the wheelwell.

chains, IMO, are much safer, yet i find that even with the uge amount of snow we've gotten this year in colorado - unnecessary. it could never hurt to have a set in the event they are required, however.

 

I had chains the only place you'll need em is over the pass Snoqualmie I think it may even be closed for a few hours so keep a blanket or some cash for a hotel handy. only if t snows otherwise youll be good to go. and welcome

 

http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/winter/#traction

 

good luck on the drive... i made that drive a few times with cables no problem... look us up when you get to portland...

 

Chains. Cables are ok, but when they go, they cause all sorts of grief.

 

Any time dear heart you know that I love having you up here. I just wish I saw you more.

and sir as far as your delema I would recomend that you get cables they are less dramatic and if they come off they do less damage. Be careful and take it slow and you should be fine. The biggest problem around here is that people generaly do not know how to drive in the snow, and our snow can be a little on the wetter side than back east. Just be careful and take it slow.

 

I have an xA and put Lighting Cable Chains on my car which has the factory aluminum alloy wheels. After a mile I stopped to check on them and noticed that the metal clips were damaging the alloy wheels (they protrude a little from the tire sidewall).

Well, I pulled them off and now I'm looking for something that's not going to chew up my wheels. Anyone have the same problem or know a good solution?

 

Thanks for all the input. I think I am going to go with chains, already picked up a set yesterday.

Then I log on today and see someone posting about their chains coming off and damaging the body…..

Oh well, I guess that’s what insurance is for. Either way (chain damage or cable damage) the deductible is the same. And if cables break more easily, that means a greater chance I’ll have to pay it.

 

bag either option.... no chains... no cables... THROTTLE

 

uh, really?

 

Were you one of those guys in those videos posted about the icy road conditions around Portland???

 

no that was not him because if it was he would have personaly turn all the roads he was on into and ice arena and they still to this day would be frozen and he would still be on the roads spinning around in circles.