Quick question - has anyone tried those traction aid thingies that Mini sells? I ask because apparently Mini does not recomment use of chains with the 16-inch tires and wheels. The composite traction aids that Michelin sells also look like a possible alternative.

 

Not sure what you are referring to, but I would recommend just purchasing a separate set of good snow tires. My MINI is great in the snow with my Hakkapelittas!

LG

 

Are you running their studded or non-studded tire? I see they have a R2 and a 7.

 

Modern Snow tires are so effective, chains are pretty much extinct.
Different companys makes things like snow socks that fit over the tires, or rubber strap thingy...but the reality is if it is that bad...you likely will not have ground clearance to drive a MINI!!
Before buying any traction aid that attaches to a tire...look at the fine print...
The speeds are typically limited..VERY MUCH SO, as are life of NON-CHAIN types of traction aids...ok on snow covered roads, but they MUST BE REMOVED once the roads are bare, or they self destruct.....but then again, chains will destroy a tire on bare pavement.....
Having driven with GOOD snow tires, it is amazing...heck FOLKS RACE with unstuded snow tires on frozen lakes, and watching them, they turn about as fast as you would expect someone to on a gravel road!!

 

Planning for the possibility of driving through a snowy area, I got some Spikes-Spiders. Not cheap, and I hope never to need them. I tried them out breifly in the driveway, they seem to fit.

We've got all seasons on the one MINI, that should be able to cope with light snow, but at least once we almost got caught by chain controls and would have been stuck. (That was on the interstate in May, I-5 in Northern California.)

 

I have the R's, non-studded. I have tried 3 different brands before these and they are incredible.

LG

 

+1 for Spikes-Spiders!! Hubby has some for his '10 Soul, coming back home from a week in AZ and having to go over the Siskiyou's in March was almost not going to happen without them, luckily they lifted the Tire Restrictions just as we were putting ours on.

 

Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know all that. Modern snow tires rule. But that wasn't the question I asked. Which was, what about those thingies that Mini sells that fit over the tires to provide traction? Does anyone have experience with them?

 

except in states like CA where they are required...

My only experience is buying a set. Have yet to need them. I figure if they are good enough for MINI...

 

if you have 4WD or AWD and winter tires you do not need chains in CA

scott

 

Actually per CVC "Requirement Three (R3): Chains are required on all vehicles, no exceptions."

True, roads are more likely to be closed than rated R3, but its in the code. Also, we lowly Gen1's don't have the AWD option.

 

i have been allowed to pass the chain checkpoints on I80 with 4WD and winter tires at least 3 times and numerous times on the east-west state roads south of I80

scott

 

That's correct about R3 - and I'm not sure I would want to drive when it's that bad.

We also have an all-wheel drive Toyota Highlander Limited that we use for our Tahoe trips and I bought a pair of cable type chains for it before we got M&S tires for it. I always carry the tire cables in my snow emergency milk crate - you never know if you'll need them.

Living where I live in California means your not going to be driving in snow unless you plan to drive to it.