so i did a search to no prevail.... anyway

I have 19" rims, and am not willing to back to stock.... and i don't want to lug around heavy chains.... what are other alternatives to chains that are lightweight and hopefully secure on ice that i could look at?

i saw one elderly lady that had like lightweight like aluminum straps thingy's but i'm not sure they's go well with rims...

suggestions?

 

Yeah those are a type of "chain" i guess you could say they're like a metal rope thing suppose to be better then chains but honestly i wouldn't know. you could probably pick those up at like a local les schweb

 

Cables.. i believe thats what your thinking off...

other than that.. .w/o going to a smaller rim.... i dont think they make low profile tires that can take studs in them.
or snow tires that'll fit on 19's

only other thing would be to get another set of smaller rims that can take some snow tires

 

studded tires are something you add to tires? or a completely separate tire?

and thanks for the replies... it kinda helps

 

studs are plastic (tho i guess metal can be found some places tho rare) nail like things that basically turn your tires into a set of 'cleats' like for sports...

i dunno if you can add them to any type of tire or just tires made for them... but they will make noise and you'll have to have them removed by like the end of march unless they extend the dead line

 

Honestly it doesn't snow enough around here to get studded tires or use chains (I was fine on stock tires in the snow and ice). If I was you I would invest in a set of snow tires for when you have those few days that it does snow. Unless you plan to go up in the mountains then I wouldn't get chains or studded tires. Plus I wouldn't want to run 19" wheels cuz of the so little of side wall and well when it's icey out I would want flex for those snow covered pot holes and such, just another thought. Oh and also helps to not drive like bat out of hell like the alot of these people do in snow and ice lol..... :/

 

Oh I forgot! as for the studs thing I'm pretty dang sure you have to have tires that have the holes for them...

 

sweet... thanks advice guys... since i'm running M+S tires... i'm going on the assumption that they can handle a bit of snow and am not going to get anything then....

 

you could probably run 19's in the snow, but the problem is you can't see what is under the snow and you could hit a pothole and fubar your rim, I have my stock wheels I put on when the weather gets bad so I don't mess up my 17's, I couldn't imagine driving 19's in the snow.

 

Haha...I was just looking at the same thing the other day. There are a special kind of cable for lowered cars. The 215/35/19 uses the 215/40/18 series cable. It ends up being the same diameter.

http://www.vulcantire.com/cgi-local/...=chainz6_c.htm

This is the recommended one by vulcan tire. It only needs a 1/4" of clearance between the tire and the wheel well.

 

Yeah, but would you want to chance a cable coming loose and ruining your fenders and wheels?

 

You are going to chance that no matter what rims and tires you roll...lowered or not. That just the nature of chains. Besides...at the 10 to 15 mph you will go max you aint gonna do that much damage. Don't roll in th snow then. I'm just sayin that in cali they make you put on chains when the slightest snow drops. If you wanna take your ride in the snow then your gonna have to do chains no matter what and take the chance. If you put them on correctly then you should have no problem.

 

by the way noservice2001....what M+S tires do you have in 19"?

 

exactly what I was saying, why chance it. It only snows here a couple times a year. Even if you put cable chains on correctly with 19's I doubt he has much gap in his wheelwell and the chains would make a mess around his fender, not worth it in my book. If anything studded tires are the way to go.

 

howdy...

There are tires specifically made to accept studs. Tire shops can put studs in just about anything, but they won't due to liability reasons. So unless you have tires made for studs, your basically out of luck there.

As far as chains/cables/spiders. Each have their benefits and drawbacks. I've drawn more blood off of cables than anything else. Cold/numb hands=torn skin. But they are light to pack and easy to install. Easier than chains for me only because I use the cables more.

Chains are a pain to pack and are like christmas lights when you need them; tangled and hooked together. And you will ALWAYS be untangling them in the dark on the side of the road in shoes that were not intended for snow use.

Spiders are an unknown to me as far as how they work. I see saturns all the time running around with those black disks over their lug nuts where the spider attaches, but I've never personally used them. They look simple enough to attach though

One thing to remember with chains/cables is the fact that your tire WILL spin inside those traction devices. If there is any contact with your rim to those devices, you will have marks/scratches on your wheel.

So I guess my point?... If you are worried, and can deal with the lowly feeling of driving on steelies, it's your best bet. I know yesterday I saw another white xB with chrome wheels, and there I was trying to be cool on my steelies and trim rings....lol... Very little eye contact...

Little story about chains?

(I love stories).. A buddy of mine drove back from cali to oregon while he was in the service. He had like a mid-60's mustang. Anyway, he put his chains on like they always make you do before you go over the pass and neglected to attach the overlap hook properly.

Neeless to say, by the time he made it over the pass the chain had removed all the paint in a neat little two inch section all the way around his wheel well.