They were discussing CA DOT (Tahoe from the west). And they allow 2wd with snow tires in all controls, only need to put chains on a 2wd without snow tires. The other side (NV) don’t have any controls.
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RWD in the Snow
- Thread starter Sisco
- Start date
StealthP3D
Well-Known Member
"In all controls"? Do you mean in all conditions? Reading the way CA DOT rules have been described in other threads, I thought there were conditions in which ALL 2WD vehicles were required to have chains.
AlanSubie4Life
Efficiency Obsessed Member
I think you are right, and sadly CA does not recognize mountain snowflake symbol tires as a separate category from all season M+S AFAIK. (Would probably make sense in R2 to allow 2WD with real snow tires (not just M+S) to go without chains - but no such luck.). Oregon I know allows proper traction tires (mountain snowflake) in place of chains on 2WD vehicles in most conditions except “conditional road closures.” But not California.
Tire and Chains
Trevlan006
Member
Tires play a huge role. I have owned back to back BMW RWD with good snows and Manual once in the harshest condition did I get stuck. And also how you drive comes into play, slow and steady. This is why I said I have zero issues with Tesla RWD
Looks like they made some changes. I left Tahoe for good in 2001. R2 used to allow 2WD with dedicated snow tires or 2WD with chains on the drive axel. Also R3 used to read local fraffic only.
CA still has “chain stops” and differant levels of controls. So if any level of controls are on, the stops are open.
So far my car has been amazing in the snow with the Nokians. I’ve been through a few storms with the largest being about 6 inches on the ground before I was able to finally get home. The only time the car got loose was when I wanted it to. 
The traction control is very good. It might be better than the TC in my old Audi.
Once the tires wear out, I may consider the winter performance tires instead of snow tires. I’ve grown to like the Nokians but they are not fun in the dry at high speeds.
The traction control is very good. It might be better than the TC in my old Audi.
Once the tires wear out, I may consider the winter performance tires instead of snow tires. I’ve grown to like the Nokians but they are not fun in the dry at high speeds.
WATT TF
Member
I live in Chicago and have put about 8,250 miles on my LR RWD Model 3 since taking delivery in mid-November.
This includes roundtrip to Atlanta driving through the hills/mountains in southern Tennessee and more notably roundtrip to Breckenridge.
My drive to Breckenridge was through a blizzard where the highway was ultimately closed in the opposing direction upon my arrival in Silverthorne. In the future I plan on making this trip with snow tires, but this time around I was confident in the performance of my brand new all seasons. I did not really slip or slide, although I was not driving very fast due to poor visibility - at times I could not see much further than my hood. I made the drive straight through from Chicago arriving in Breckenridge at 8AM, so much of this driving was through the night. Kudos to the traction control, gross vehicle weight, and weight distribution for getting me there and back safely.
Most people will be fine with RWD unless they live in an area that receives consistent snow or have a very steep driveway. I enjoyed my driving and will be going back next year!
This includes roundtrip to Atlanta driving through the hills/mountains in southern Tennessee and more notably roundtrip to Breckenridge.
My drive to Breckenridge was through a blizzard where the highway was ultimately closed in the opposing direction upon my arrival in Silverthorne. In the future I plan on making this trip with snow tires, but this time around I was confident in the performance of my brand new all seasons. I did not really slip or slide, although I was not driving very fast due to poor visibility - at times I could not see much further than my hood. I made the drive straight through from Chicago arriving in Breckenridge at 8AM, so much of this driving was through the night. Kudos to the traction control, gross vehicle weight, and weight distribution for getting me there and back safely.
Most people will be fine with RWD unless they live in an area that receives consistent snow or have a very steep driveway. I enjoyed my driving and will be going back next year!
daveymcgav
Member
Took my LR RWD with totally stock 18" tires to snow-covered Lake Tahoe this weekend and was extremely impressed with its handling. Car found traction where I didn't think possible, and was quite fun to throw around with slip-start on .
FWIW, I had been considering upgrading to the AWD model but have now decided to keep my RWD
FWIW, I had been considering upgrading to the AWD model but have now decided to keep my RWD
chibi_kurochan
Member
we went to Yosemite with my LR RWD, with Vredestein Quatrac (has mountain snowflake symbol). Don't even need the chain and it's gripping much better than my friend's Honda Accord. Tho ended up having to put on the chain once we enter the park because we were forced to by the rangers.
RWD is the more fun to drive for sure.. besides P3D with track mode.
RWD is the more fun to drive for sure.. besides P3D with track mode.
Yep or don’t need AWD/4WD in the winter. There was a AK DOT survey a few years back that estimated About 2/3 of the vehicles registered an Alaska are 2WD. Now that said my personal preference regardless of conditions is AWD, I haven’t owned a 2wd since I sold the GT3 in 2005 and I don’t think I’ll own another 2wd ever.
