I'm having difficulty determining what I need for my 2013 2WD Countryman for drive SF to Tahoe. One dealer said "cable." Two said "spider spikes," which appear to be very expensive, and neither dealer carried them.

Will chains be OK regardless? I'm told there's a risk due to low clearance.

Anyone with experience? Thanks.

 

"Only certain types of fine-link snow chains have been tested by the manufacturer of your MINI, classified as road-safe and recommended. Contact your MINI dealer for more details.

Only attach snow chains in pairs to the front wheels with the following tires.
> 195/60 R 16 M+S

Observe the manufacturer's instructions when mounting snow chains. Do not exceed a speed of 30 mph or 50 km/h. Do not initialize the Flat Tire Monitor if snow chains are mounted; otherwise, the instrument might issue an incorrect reading. When driving with snow chains, it can be useful to briefly deactivate DSC or activate DTC..."

Some cable "chains" such as the Security chain super-Z6 require less than 7 mm inside clearance and should work for any OEM sized tire if you don't get a specific recommendation from someone with a Countryman.

http://www.peerlesschain.com/tire-ch...ion/tirechains

 

hsautocrosser, Thanks for that info. I read it in my manual, too. Unfortunately I don't have the one single type of tire that the manual mentions. It is silent as to all other types and sizes, unless I'm misinterpreting that passage.

 

The MINI approved tires sizes for fine-link chains won't even fit on the OEM wheels for my car. There is at least one report here of successful use of the Z6 on a 205/45-17 shod MINI hardtop. The cable-type chains are acceptable in California.

Other useful links:
http://quickmap.dot.ca.gov/
http://www.wunderground.com/q/zmw:95721.4.99999 (see 10-day forecast)

 

Here is what fits and what sizes:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...endations.html

 

Unfortunately, California does not accept socks as "chains" which are required to be installed or carried when the skiing is at it's best.

 

Snow chains from Rud are in the linked list above also.

36110140042

 

I have a set of Laclede cables which worked great on my 2011 CMS. I purchased them at O'Reilly. My tires are 215/55-17 which is one size larger than stock, and the cables that fit that size was Laclede #1038. They fit well, and no clearance issues. I can't say how durable they are, since I have less than 10 miles on them so far. Further, I can't say how well they work in heavier snow or ice. I have only been in light snow/slush; might not even have needed them, but was required to put them on going into Yosemite last year.

 

Given the allowable tire widths for 16" fine link chains, the Countryman would appear to have 20mm more clearance than a gen2 or gen3 hardtop. A Laclede class S cable chain may work with OEM tire widths on the hardtops but it would be best to check fitment before using.

 

I would recommend a 'chain' with no inside clearance required, such as the Thule K Summit:
http://www.thule.com/en-us/us/produc...k11-_-04505711