Use All-Wheel. Four-Wheel, or Front-Wheel Drive
Vehicles in Fall, Winter and Spring:
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If you are not familiar with driving in the snow,
use an all-wheel drive vehicle in winter.
If you are a well seasoned snow driver, you will
be fine with front wheel drive, but you might be
required to install chains at a chain checkpoint
during a heavy snowstorm. |
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| Chains
are a nuisance. Even the most adventurous person can be
frustrated by chains and chain checkpoints. One must
have an adventurous attitude and approach to chains, or one
risks having a bad day. |
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Chain Checkpoints: |
The Nevada State
Patrol rarely requires chain installation.
BUT, the California
State Patrol often set up chain checkpoints at Sierra crest
passes and in the Tahoe basin. Chain checkpoints are essentially
road blocks where a State Patrol officer stops and assesses the
ability of every vehicle to safely cross a snowy mountain
road. The officer will only require four-wheel-drive
vehicles to install chains in the most severe driving
conditions. Usually the road is closed before this
happens. The officer will require two-wheel-drive vehicles
to install chains during many light, moderate, and heavy
snowstorms on these
California highways: |
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88 89 50 28 267 80 |
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| Note that Nevada Hwy 207, (Kingsbury
Grade), seldom requires chains, and when
it does, the chain checkpoint usually does not last
for more than a couple of hours. Also, 207
does not have delays at the chain checkpoint,
because the traffic is always light on 207, (Kingsbury
Grade). This means that it is easy and fast
for you travel between 436 Barrett Drive and Reno
International Airport. |
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Chain Purchase and Installation: |
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You can often
purchase chain installation from CA Department of Transportation
employees
at the chain checkpoints, but you cannot ever
purchase chains at the chain checkpoints, so buy
your chains before you enter the foothills of the
mountains. Chain purchasing is time consuming and
requires attention to detail. You will need to write
down the size numbers on the sidewalls of your tires on a
piece of paper, and take the paper into the store with you.
These types of stores are
most likely to have chains that will fit your tires:
Hardware stores, K Mart,
Wal-Mart, & auto parts stores |
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| You
will probably find the best selection if you shop
in or near the Sierra foothills, but do not wait until a storm comes to purchase chains,
because others will be doing the same, and your size is likely
to be sold out. |
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| Chains
wear and break, especially when you drive on bare
pavement. Often the chain checkpoints are below the snow
line, and you will drive considerable distances up the
mountain until you get to snow-covered roads.
Accelerate, turn, and brake gently with chains installed;
especially when the snow coverage on the road is thin.
Avoid spinning or sliding the tires that have chains on
them. |
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| Stores
in the sierra foothills and mountains often carry extra links
and parts for chains. These stores often have helpful
staff that can repair broken links in chains and provide you
with helpful advice. Do purchase a few extra adjustable
links and parts. Do purchase and use elastic chain
tensioners. Chain tensioners a.k.a chain tighteners are
elastic that hook across the diameter of the wheel to keep the
chains tight on the wheel. |
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Test
the fit of your chains before you need them. |
| After you install the chains, drive for 100 feet or so,
and check the tension on the chains. If the chains are
loose, tighten them. |
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| Chains cost between $30 and $100 for
two wheels. The price depends on the size
of your tire, and the type of chain that you buy.
More expensive chains usually last longer.
Inexpensive chains are often difficult to install
and break sooner. Driving on broken chains
can whip your car with loose parts of the chain,
and do significant damage to your car.
Chain installation usually costs about $20, and
un-installation usually costs about $10.
You can do it yourself, but you are likely to get
cold, dirty, wet and frustrated. It will
take a first-timer as much as 45 minutes to
install chains. I've done it many times,
and it still takes me 20 minutes and I still get
wet and dirty. You get wet because you are
usually installing them in the rain, because the
chain checkpoints are often below the elevation
where the rain turns to snow. You get dirty
because your tires and wheel wells are dirty and
gritty. The professional installers require about 10
minutes, but you might have to wait in line for them for quite
a while. |
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Consider Alternate Routes and Travel
Schedules: |
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Avoid chain checkpoints if you can. Installing chains,
waiting in line at the chain checkpoint, driving with chains
for some distance, and removing chains can easily add 1 - 3
hours to a drive in the Sierra Nevada mountains. There are too many cars driven by too many
people who have no clue about installing chains or driving in
the snow, and they will all be in your path. Consider
getting a nice meal and waiting out the storm, or waiting for
a non-peak traffic period. Chain checkpoint patrol
officers do leave chain checkpoints unmanned late at night,
depending on the severity of the storm and the location. |
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When
Driving in the Sierra Nevada in the Fall, Winter
and Spring... |
Check weather forecasts and road reports carefully before you
set out.
Always carry tire chains, tow strap, and a good
shovel.
Always carry winter outdoor clothing and blankets.
Always use good snow tires.
Avoid using rear wheel drive vehicles if possible.
Travel with a strong and massive friend if possible, so they
can push you if you get stuck.
Practice winter driving techniques before driving
in the mountains.
Keep your gas tank full, so that you have engine heat if you get stranded.
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