How many tire snow chains for 4WD?

Anything relating to Wheels, Tires, and Brake options and upgrades...

Moderator: volvite

rangeoflight32
Posts: 36
Joined: Fri Sep 12, 2014 9:51 pm

How many tire snow chains for 4WD?

Postby rangeoflight32 » Thu Feb 23, 2017 7:10 pm

I want to get some chains and assumed I would get four, but the owners manual for my 2012 Pathfinder says:

“Tire chains must be installed only on the rear wheels and not on the front wheels. .”

So yes that's what it says, but I don't trust it, because doesn't say anything about 4WD vs 2WD or even mention 4WD.

Does anyone have any knowledge or information here? Thanks.


User avatar
smj999smj
Site Admin
Posts: 6054
Joined: Sun Jan 22, 2012 11:13 pm
Location: Prospect, VA

Postby smj999smj » Thu Feb 23, 2017 8:13 pm

Nissan only recommends using tire chains only on the rear wheels of these vehicles because of potential clearance issues regarding the front wheels and the wheel wells during hard turns.

User avatar
V8Pathy
Posts: 196
Joined: Sat Jul 28, 2007 9:20 pm
Location: Los Angeles, CA

Postby V8Pathy » Sat Feb 25, 2017 4:54 pm

+1

1 pair of chains and on the rear.

rangeoflight32
Posts: 36
Joined: Fri Sep 12, 2014 9:51 pm

Postby rangeoflight32 » Mon Feb 27, 2017 4:04 pm

Ok thanks. But there seems like so much space between the wheels and wheel wells with my current tires that I don't see how there could be an contact.

I wonder if could get four if I decided I needed them at some point. But starting out with 2 seems like the way to go.

kapsig873
Posts: 9
Joined: Sat May 13, 2017 6:15 am
Location: New Port Richey, FL

Postby kapsig873 » Thu Jun 08, 2017 9:01 pm

Why would you still need chains with the 4wd?

User avatar
smj999smj
Site Admin
Posts: 6054
Joined: Sun Jan 22, 2012 11:13 pm
Location: Prospect, VA

Postby smj999smj » Fri Jun 09, 2017 1:15 am

kapsig873 wrote:Why would you still need chains with the 4wd?
For use in areas where tires won't give you enough traction.

User avatar
blink32
Sponsored Member
Posts: 898
Joined: Wed Sep 13, 2006 6:38 am
Location: World Traveler

Postby blink32 » Tue Jun 13, 2017 3:08 am

Old thread but man this takes me back to 6 or so years ago when ole Greybrick (changed his userid to Grey) made some posts and lost his sh!t over snow chains when I called him out and he ended up banned. Good times.

I personally bought two sets, 4 chains total. Whenever I encounter roads crappy enough to require chains (other than Highway Patrol mandating their use even if you had snow rated tires) I needed them on all four corners or else steering and stopping were terrible. But you're talking hard-pack snow and ice.


Return to “R51 Brakes, Tires, and Wheels”