Driving in Alps. Snowchains not possible on 235/55 R17? - Should I change my order to 215/60 or get Autosocks?

[Soton Campers]

I had 4season 235s on my last California here’s a picture with snow chains no issues whatsoever

View attachment 50877

What snow chains are those out of interest?

 

[CaliDave]

What snow chains are those out of interest?

I also have used snow chains over Cross Climates and on 235/55/17 ‘s

 

[DJE]

Great thanks for that I’ll look at those

 

[Jay20cali]

What snow chains are those out of interest?

Apologies only just spotted this
Not sure exactly as there tucked away in the garage I can check if it’s important but the above ones are probably the ones to go for as there newer

 

[Flower Power]

I live in Bayern, Germany but only 5 kms from Tyrol, Austria. For the last 16 years, daily and all year round the family of 4 cars is driving in the Alps, through the Alps ,and over the Alps, including Switzerland and N.Italy.

We do that on good rating all season tires. Never wished for winter tires and obviously not for chains. Never missed them. There are never required, even in the parts of Austria we cover. Having said that... all cars and California have AWD. That is helpful all year round on small survey Alpine roads.

I know, France has a strange approach. While living in Bavaria, my wife employer was a HQ of AXA insurance in Paris. A company car, 2WD, had only Summer tires fitted. Fleet manager in Paris refused to provide AS or winter tires even they knew that my wife drives in the Alps. Not needed, a head office of AXA said. BTW, we purchased a second set of wheels with winter tires ourselves. Now, the same French logic makes them go crazy about mandating chains. Strange bi-polar behaviour.
;

 

[Keitheeweithee]

I live in Bayern, Germany but only 5 kms from Tyrol, Austria. For the last 16 years, daily and all year round the family of 4 cars is driving in the Alps, through the Alps ,and over the Alps, including Switzerland and N.Italy.

We do that on good rating all season tires. Never wished for winter tires and obviously not for chains. Never missed them. There are never required, even in the parts of Austria we cover. Having said that... all cars and California have AWD. That is helpful all year round on small survey Alpine roads.

I know, France has a strange approach. While living in Bavaria, my wife employer was a HQ of AXA insurance in Paris. A company car, 2WD, had only Summer tires fitted. Fleet manager in Paris refused to provide AS or winter tires even they knew that my wife drives in the Alps. Not needed, a head office of AXA said. BTW, we purchased a second set of wheels with winter tires ourselves. Now, the same French logic makes them go crazy about mandating chains. Strange bi-polar behaviour.
;

 

[Keitheeweithee]

There is the French law and then what is advisable. The law is that from 1 November to 31 March you must have 3PMFS (Three Peak Mountain Snow Flake) tyres on all 4 wheels OR carry chains or socks for at least the driving wheels (chains are recommended over socks). See https://www.service-public.gouv.fr/particuliers/actualites/A14389. So you don't legally need both but if you don't have 4WD then best to have the 3PMFS tyres and chains/socks as well. Check your tyres are marked with the 3PMFS symbol, other ‘all season’ tyres which are not so marked do not comply with the law. I spend each winter in the French Alps, I have a 4M Ocean with Michelin Cross Climates 235/55 R17 which are 3PMFS. I also carry a set of socks but I have never needed to fit them.

 

[jcshnz]

Also, yes you can go for winter tyres but, you will still need chains as when it snows the roads are polices and they will not let you up the mountain without them.

That’s not correct