Where should snow chain go?

[qqzj]

Front or rear? Will visit Tahoe soon and bought a set of snow chain for MDX. Planned to put on the front. However, read online yesterday about all sorts of problems with using snow chain on the wrong wheels. So just want to ask the knowledgeable here. Front or rear? Merry Christmas.

[mesalum]

Front wheels. The MDX is a front wheel drive vehicle. Use cables and not chains. All this is in the owners manual.

[G. COLTON]

Always use the chains/cables on the drive wheels. Using them on the non-drive wheels is just like not having them.

George

[skinny2]

My manual appears to be intentionally elusive on this. It tells you the type of chains to use and how to install....but does not say if you should put them on front/rear/or both axles. Given the way the SHAWD works...I would be inclined to put them on all four. It favors the front wheels during acceleration, but does a lot of shifting of power during turns. Having a lack of traction on one of the axles CAN be worse than having mediocre traction on both. Most Tahoe trips do not require (legally) chains on a 4wd vehicle. The roads are either closed or open to 4wd.

[symmetrical]

Originally Posted by skinny2

My manual appears to be intentionally elusive on this. It tells you the type of chains to use and how to install....but does not say if you should put them on front/rear/or both axles. Given the way the SHAWD works...I would be inclined to put them on all four. It favors the front wheels during acceleration, but does a lot of shifting of power during turns. Having a lack of traction on one of the axles CAN be worse than having mediocre traction on both. Most Tahoe trips do not require (legally) chains on a 4wd vehicle. The roads are either closed or open to 4wd.

This is the same thing I was thinking. I would probably make a safer bet by putting them on all 4 wheels. Then again like you said, Tahoe is usually pretty lenient in the sense that if they know you have 4WD/AWD, you probably don't need chains. And if for some reason you do need chains, then you probably shouldn't be driving in that type of weather condition.

[DB22]

Originally Posted by symmetrical

And if for some reason you do need chains, then you probably shouldn't be driving in that type of weather condition.

Skiing requires "that type of weather condition"!

[symmetrical]

Originally Posted by DB22

Skiing requires "that type of weather condition"!

Well I guess to re-phrase my comment, its that if the weather is so terrible in which the authorities require AWD/4WD cars to have chains on then its probably some pretty terrible weather not risk driving in. But I guess that is clearly subjective of what people want to do. lol

[Bill_de]

Originally Posted by DB22

Skiing requires "that type of weather condition"!

Instead of chains ... Buy a boat and go water skiing.


With AWD, having chains on only the front would probably turn the X into a front wheel drive vehicle. As the rear wheels lose traction all power would be channeled to the front axle. For that reason I would think putting them on all 4 wheels makes sense.

[Bill_de]

Originally Posted by robindevo

It tells you the type of chains to use and how to install.

I noticed that in your 4 posts you have partially quoted another post without adding anything of your own. Is this intentional, or do you need some assistance using the forum?

[stanmanh]

I live in Northern Sacramento area and am about 1 hour drive from Lake Tahoe. Being that the MDX is capable of four wheel drive. It has RARELY been required in Tahoe for "four wheel" drive vehicles to put on chains. I have yet to put chains on my MDX for the last 12 years. I do carry a set of cable chains just in case I run into that EXTREME weather or if Caltrans/Highway patrol ask if I carried any. In that situation I'd rather not even drive. I got the Z6 cable chains and they are easy to put on and are a great fit for the MDX.

Amazon.com: Security Chain Company Super Z6, SZ435, Cable Chain for Pickups & SUVs - Set of 2: Automotive

Amazon.com: Security Chain Company Super Z6, SZ435, Cable Chain for Pickups & SUVs - Set of 2: Automotive

Remember MDX has low clearance in the wheel well. You have to use cable chains NOT regular chains!!!! I do suggest you carry a long length chainlink just in case you make a wrong turn into deep snow. With the chain someone can help pull your vehicle out. I've had this happen before and it was a lifesaver. I didn't have to wait for a tow truck to arrive on scene. Just flag down a passing vehicle, hitch up to car and go! Imagine being in the cold, wet, snow with screaming kids in your car. Not fun.

P.S. Chains do go onto the front wheels of MDX.

Have fun in Tahoe!!!