When you encounter a chain control sign that indicates chains are required for your vehicle, pull completely off the road into the turnout and put on your chains. Chain control signs are at the best locations for putting on chains. Put your chains on there, not further down the road, where it may be unsafe.
Just because you have chains or four-wheel drive doesn't mean driving in snow is easy. Even park residents who regularly commute on park roads during winter are involved in snow-related accidents. Follow these tips to reduce your chances of an accident.
California does not have any specific dates when vehicles are required to carry chains. When the road is posted with a sign requiring chains, all heavy-duty vehicles (over 6,500 pounds gross weight) must be equipped with chains mounted on the tires in order to proceed. Depending on the severity of road conditions, some vehicles (passenger cars, 4-wheel drive vehicles with snow tires) may not be required to install chains at that point. The exceptions will be posted on the sign.
Vehicles without chains are not permitted to enter chain control areas and must return to a lower elevation where chains are not required. There is no provision to park vehicles at chain control check points.
Studded snow tires are permitted in California from November 1 until April 30 each year. During this time, studded tires are permitted in any location within the state. Studded snow tires are not considered tire traction devices and may not be used in lieu of chains.
Yes. Even though weather conditions may not warrant the use of chains on passenger vehicles equipped with snow tires at a particular time, to enter a chain control area, you must have a set of chains (one pair) for your vehicle in your possession. If conditions worsen or you have trouble controlling your vehicle, you must stop and install the chains.
Requirement 1 (R-1): Chains are required on all vehicles except passenger vehicles and light-duty trucks under 6,000 pounds gross weight and equipped with snow tires on at least two drive wheels. Chains must be carried by vehicles using snow tires. All vehicles towing trailers must have chains on one drive axle. Trailers with brakes must have chains on at least one axle.
Regular snow and ice on the drive to Tahoe makes for slick roads and potentially dangerous road conditions. The easiest way to improve your road safety in minor to moderate winter weather is to drive an all-wheel drive (AWD) or 4-wheel drive (4WD) vehicle. It will give you more traction and often save the hassle of installing chains.
HI,thanks for this!I am planning to go from RENO to the Bay area at the end of next week with a rental car. Are all the above mentioned tips also applicable under normal conditions or do they only apply when snow falls, or a storms is coming up? The forecast is good so far. I am gonna get a car from the Jeep Compass/Ford Escape class, most likely without 4WD. So if the road is clear, are they(who is they and where do they check) still requiring me to carry chains? I forgot to mention, that I wanted to the US 50 during the day for the scenery, so no night trips or so.Thanks a lotGeorg
One of our early trips to Yosemite, shortly after we moved to California, was in late October and an early storm left the roads snowy and icy. We did not have snow chains and were turned around at the gate and drove sadly home to Berkeley instead of enjoying a weekend of climbing in Yosemite (only to find out later that they lifted the chain controls two hours later as the ice melted off in the late-morning sun).
These company make lots of claims, including the claim that these products have better stopping power than chains, as verified by independent testing labs. I find this hard to believe and Consumer Reports testing backs that up. They found that these socks had traction similar to a good set of winter tires. They did not make a direct comparison to chains, but having driven with good winter tire and good chains, I can say that the grip chains provide is vastly superior to good snow tires. That said, good snow tires are vastly superior to mud and snow rated all-season tires.
Want a shuttle to pick you up in the Phoenix area and take you directly to Arizona Snowbowl this winter? Check out Alpine Express. They have three pick-up locations, North Valley, Scottsdale, and East Valley. This luxury bus will take you and all your snow gear directly to Arizona Snowbowl. You don't have to mess with chains, 4WD or the stress of winter driving conditions! Sit back with your friends and family and relax! This is becoming one of the most popular ways to get to Snowbowl from Phoenix.
Nearly every state in the union has some sort of regulations in place pertaining to tire chains. Truck drivers should make themselves familiar with those regulations in any state where they plan to work during the winter months. Running afoul of the regulations could result in a citation.
Along those same lines, there are a few key regions in the U.S. where chains are mandatory during the winter. Must know about trucking chain laws by state in the USA. In some of these regions, truckers will find chains at highway department chain banks. A word to the wise though: drivers should not rely solely on chain banks to meet their needs. If no chains are available when a driver reaches the start of a mandatory chain area, he or she will have to wait until a set is available.
Be aware that you're driving into a mountainous region that receives heavy snowfall and this can occur between early fall to late spring. Although road conditions are usually clear between April and November, it is not unheard of for heavy snow to fall as late as June, sometimes spontaneously in seemingly warm weather. Always carry snow chains in your car. If roads are slick with snow or ice, CalTrans will implement chain control, which usually means you need chains installed on your tires for the affected stretch of a highway unless you are in a four-wheel drive vehicle with snow tires. Before planning your trip, check local weather reports as well as the California Highway Information Network (CHIN) [2] (call +1 800 427-7623 in California or +1 916 445-7623 from elsewhere) for traffic conditions. The State of California also provides helpful winter driving tips [3].
If you are already near or in the Lake Tahoe region without snow chains in your car, but you find that you will need them, try to buy them where the locals might, such as a grocery store or auto part franchise. Prices for chains at gas stations visible from the highway will often be twice as expensive!
Be aware some vehicles cannot accept regular snow chains due to low clearance between the wheel and the wheel well or the suspension parts. Your car's manual will have the necessary information regarding this. You may still be able to use a low-clearance chain such as SSC Super Z6 but ensure that it fits and works properly BEFORE you depart.
If you are an experienced driver in snow, you may find it ridiculous to be asked to put on chains. But the Highway patrol makes no exceptions unless you have 4wd. You can't argue your way out if it, but you'll get over it and you will laugh heartily at the number of cars spinning out of control (even with 4wd) as inexperienced California drivers attempt to handle the snow by driving as if it isn't there. Take their foolishness realistically - they WILL hit you if they get close. Keep your distance.
Windshield wipers during snowfall: It's best to find and use special windshield wipers for the snow, where the joints in the wipers are covered up and protected, otherwise, they may freeze, and be useless.
Blizzards rarely strike without warning, but they can be very intense. Lake Tahoe is well prepared for heavy snow, so road closures are rare. Emergency services are almost never disrupted, though utilities, including electricity, water, and natural gas, can go out for days at a time in bad weather. Snow can fall thick and heavy, and careless visitors may find themselves snowed in. It is recommended to routinely clear away snow from your front door, driveway, and car during a blizzard. You should always keep snow chains in your car when traveling to Lake Tahoe in the winter months. During snowstorms, access to Lake Tahoe via I-80 and Highway 50 is denied to vehicles without snow chains or studded snow tires. During such times, snow chains can usually be purchased and installed from vendors on the side of the road. These vendors are reputable, but their prices can be quite high.
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