I decided to start a new thread on this, since it's not quite on point in the other Snow Evo thread:

I'm thinking of using my Evo to go snowboarding in our local mountains this winter with appropriate tires. (They don't use road salt here, fortunately. Just plows.)

Under the local chain laws I should not need chains with the right tires, since it's AWD and our local mountains never see very extreme conditions; we see only R1 and R2 conditions; never R3 around here.

Two questions I have:

(1) Has any of you ever had the highway patrol insist that you put on chains (as compared to just having them in the vehicle), even when legally you didn't need them? (I can imagine an officer who didn't know and wouldn't concede that the Evo is AWD.)

(2) If I use Rally Armor mud flaps, is my lower body paint going to get trashed from all the muck?

Thanks.

 

if you read the manual it says do not use chains on the evolution.

 

Thanks, although that's not quite what I'm asking.

But since you mention it, I read the manual when I got the car, but that was about 9 months ago. Does it say no chains at all, or only the proper cable-type chains? I guess I should do a search on all these questions.

 

I have a set of Blizzaks and they are >>> chains....i had them on my STi and when i got snowed in, in PA i had them put on. The mechanic told me to go out in the parking lot and floor it...i figured i'd be getting side ways and burried in snow and not go anywhere....but instead it felt like i was flooring it on dry pavement. they have really superior grip on snow/ice, but the downside is you can't use them in warmer weather. they really perform best under really really cold conditions and snow/ice

 

Sweet!

 

and yoou have to add that snow tires only wear when there is no snow...so if you have a air impact drill you will get a good 5 seasons out of them....if you do it according to temp to temp senerio.....

 

Yeah; I have an air wrench and a torque wrench, not to mention a floor jack, jack stands and a compressor; plenty of good tools in my garage. I could do the switch in ten minutes or so.

I was thinking I'd get a set of used Evo wheels and slap some new mud and snow tires on them, but I'd pick some that were intended mainly for snow use, like the Blizzaks or something. I spent some time on the Tire Rack reading reviews a while back; seems like there are quite a few good ones out there for not that much money.

 

Actually, it says to put them on the rear tires.

 

Cool; thanks. I'll check it out. So I would probably want to get one set of chains and just keep them in the trunk, just in case I had to get through a check-point.

 

You better have snow tires if your attempting to drive in the snow........

 

Which local mountains? Just in case, instead of carrying chains or cables, get a set of spyders. I have a set for most of my cars.

 

I live at 6100 in chain check happy so. cal mountains. I have never had a problem getting through the chain check with chains in my trunk and M/S rated tires. However I have had to show the chp the dash light showing I was in snow mode. He did not believe mitsu made a awd car. I said why does my car have a snow setting to change how much power goes to each well. He looked at the dash and said go on. On a side note I have scraped up my rocker panels from going thru to much snow. The evo is only good for about 10 of fresh snow. If others have gone before you and groves are frozen you will scratch your car. Snow tires give you great traction but when you start snowplowing your front end things get pretty hairy. Side note advans are like slicks in the snow.

 

I wonder what the chains are sold on mitsubishiparts.net? Scroll to the bottom:
http://www.mitsubishiparts.net/catalog/?section=510

They claim to be "Factory approved..."
Not trying to be a smart ***, really just curious

 

Thanks, man! You answered both my questions perfectly. I really appreciate it.

 

has anyone bought the mitsubishi chains? are they cables? pretty well made? I would like to get a set before snowboard season