Can someone explain California's snow ratings for roads to me? I've always had to use chains on my old car before this season, so I never really understood how it works<p>From what I understand, there are three levels of snow warnings<p>1) Carry Chains Advisory<br>2) 2WD + Chains Required or 4WD Vehicles<br>3) All Vehicles require chains<p>But #3 very rarely occurs since CalTrans would usually close the roads at that point.<p>So my question is, can I drive through #2 using quattro/ m+s tires, or do I need chains to pass CalTrans? I've heard from people that chains are bad for quattros, is that true? And would I chain all four tires, or front 2 only?<br>

you have it correct... quattro & m+s is OK, but<br>must 'carry' chains... i've been dribing to mammoth for 20 years in 4wd vehicles and have never been asked to prove i have chains. also, R2 is the most common road restriction. i have never seen R3 (they close the road before allowing R3)<p>I've been doing a fair amount of research on this topic.<p>check out the caltrans link below...<br><ul><li><a href="http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/roadinfo/wntrdriv.htm">Caltrans</a></li></ul>

Actually, here's the way the ratings go.<p>R-1 Chains required. Passenger vehicles with snow tires OK, must carry chains<br>R-2 Chains required. Passenger vehicles with 4wd and snow tires OK, must carry chains<br>R-3 Chains required. No exceptions.<p>CHP or Caltrans (or local cops, I assume, though I've never seen them do it) can make you open your trunk and show them your chains.<p>I too am part of the SoCal "395 Brigade." R-3 is pretty rare in the Sierras, but they use it quite a bit in the Southern California (i.e. Big Bear) mountains. They also like to make you get out in the bad weather to show your chains. What's interesting, though, is that they never check to make sure the chains actually fit the car. I carried an old set of chains for 13" wheels in my quattros for years. <p> If it's R-3, even though I have quattro with snows, I turn around and go home. Because some boob is bound to spin out and block the road anyway!<p>My usual drill (assuming R-1 or R-2) is to approach the Chippie at the checkpoint, roll down the window, and rattle off "4wd, snow tires on all 4 corners, chains in the trunk." If you've got it down, they usually assume you know what you're doing and wave you through.

<br>nt