Tire Chains

12/14/2008 Bart F. says:

If there is snow, you can buy chains at multiple locations located along the highway.

12/15/2008 Keith Charles "in Charge" F. says:

Wisconsin boy says chains are illegal in the midwest. The tear the fuck out of the road, and mess with the function of ABS braking systems. I would be shocked if they are legal here.

12/15/2008 Abby S. says:

Hi, I don't know about snow conditions in the direction you are headed but they are legal in California. In fact you will see signs saying "chains required" if the snow is bad enough. Bart is correct you can buy chains at many locations along the way. Here is some info about chain requirements from the California department of transportation:

http://www.dot.ca.gov/...

12/15/2008 Abby S. says:

Damn I'm bored.. here are the two relevant California Vehicle Codes I could find (yes I searched the whole vehicle code). As for snow conditions I would check http://weather.com

Code related to requirement for chains:
27459.  No person shall operate any motor vehicle, trailer or
semitrailer upon any portion of a highway without tire traction
devices when that portion of the highway is signed for the
requirement of tire traction devices.  In any case where a passenger
vehicle or motortruck having an unladen weight of 6,000 pounds or
less may be required by the Department of Transportation or local
authorities to be equipped with tire traction devices, the devices
shall be placed on at least two drive wheels, or the department or
local authorities may provide, in the alternative, that the vehicle
may be equipped with snow-tread tires on at least two drive wheels
when the weather and surface conditions at the time are such that the
stopping, tractive, and cornering abilities of the snow-tread tires
are adequate.  The snow-tread tires shall be of a type and design
manufactured for use on snow as a replacement for tire chains or tire
traction devices, shall be in good condition, and shall bear the
marking of M-S, M/S, or other marking indicating that the tire was
manufactured for use on snow, or, in the case of tires purchased
before January 1, 1987, shall either bear the markings or, in the
opinion of the inspecting officer, comply with the tread pattern
requirements of Section 558.

Notice regarding vehicles that cannot use chains:
11713.6.  (a) It is unlawful and a violation of this code for the
holder of any dealer's license issued under this article to fail to
disclose in writing to the buyer or lessee of a new motor vehicle,
that the vehicle, as equipped, may not be operated on a highway
signed for the requirement of tire chains if the owner's manual or
other material provided by the manufacturer states that the vehicle,
as equipped, may not be operated with tire chains.
  (b) The disclosure required under subdivision (a) shall meet both
of the following requirements:
  (1) The disclosure shall be printed in not less than 14-point
boldface type on a single sheet of paper that contains no information
other than the disclosure.
  (2) The disclosure shall include the following language  in
capital letters:  "AS EQUIPPED, THIS VEHICLE MAY NOT BE OPERATED WITH
TIRE CHAINS BUT MAY ACCOMMODATE SOME OTHER TYPE OF TIRE TRACTION
DEVICE.  SEE THE OWNER'S MANUAL FOR DETAILS."

12/15/2008 Kat D. says:

thanks everyone for your replies. i was just wondering if anyone knows what the weather is like around this time and if I'll NEED them. I understand I can go on http://weather.com, but it doesn't give me the weather for the exact location i'll be crossing. maybe i'm wrong.

12/15/2008 D.J. "mr. spectacularrrrr" T. says:

You should be fine without them. I driven to Las Vegas several times in December/January and never needed them.

At worst, you can just purchase them at the stations on the way there. If you don't want to pay the arm and leg prices they charge, just buy them at your local Kragen/Autozone and if you don't end up using them, just return them when you return from your trip.