Wayne 993TT in France

Hi everyone,

has anyone put snow chains on their car in the winter. The ski resorts are about to open here, so I'll be going up the mountians most weekends, so therefore need to get some chains in case of heavy snow. I've got a TT, so was wondering which wheels I would put the chains on - back, front or both? Anyone know?

911-TOUR

Porsche does not recommend chains AT ALL. Your insurance will likely not cover you with the chains installed.

That said, if you're insistant upon doing it, I would go with the front wheels on a TT. The engine's already hanging off the back, so you should get good traction there with snow tires. There's also less that can go wrong up front something goes wrong with the chains.

If I were you, I'd rent a truck to hit the slopes...it's just not worth it in a P-car.

cheers,

sean

Viken

That is not entirely true. Porsche does suggest the use of chains provided one follows the exact 17" tire and wheel dimensions specified for the model. In the case of the 993 Turbo, here's what Porsche says:

7" x 17" - ET55 - 205/50-17
8" x 17" - ET52 - 225/45-17 use with either 17 mm or 21 mm spacer and 996.361.920.00 chains

8" x 17" - ET70 - 225/45-17 use with 31 mm spacer and 996.361.920.00 chains

8.5" x 17" - ET50 - 225/45-17 use with either 17 mm or 21 mm spacer and 996.361.920.00 chains

9" x 17" - ET70 - 225/45-17 use with 31 mm spacer and 996.361.920.00 chains

911-TOUR

Viken,

Interesting...when I bought my car in CA, I had to sign a waiver from Porsche stating that I understood that chains were not approved for use on my 993. This was a requirement of insurance, and of my limited warrenty. I wrote off going to Tahoe in the 993 because of it. Where did you find this info ??

sean

Viken

This is the first time I hear of such a thing. Was the waiver required by PCNA or your insurance company?

I have purchased more than one new Porsche in CA and never had to sign such a waiver.

Info on winter tires and wheels is published by Porsche in a TSB form.

Ray Calvo

The complete info is in the 1995 Tech Bulletin compilation; should be able to be ordered from www.my-porsche.com. $24.95; part no.PNA-000-082-F

The complete listing of all snow tires/wheels runs 14 pages; includes part numbers for Porsche chains.

Joe@Fabspeed

regardless of the availability of snow chains........as other have stated skip adding chains to the Porsche 993TT. Why drive that car at the ski resorts........its uncomforatble, no space for skis and bulky stuff and a SUV or even a Cadillac Escalade would be a cooler choice. If I only had a 993TT I would drive it as is and hope the 4 wheel drive gets me through the snow. If its snows over 8" even with chains youre stuck.

JamesC

For what it's worth perhaps the perception on the Continent is a bit different than ours? I've seen quite a few C4's (even some C4 cab's with some sort of bumper racks) and TT's WAY up in the mountains of Austria, Germany and Switzerland during winter. Not too many Escalades there...

Wayne 993TT in France

Well I don't know about uncomfortable! I've never described my car as that.
Anyhow buying a set of chains is much cheaper than buying a truck/SUV. As it goes, carry things about (ski's/snowboard etc) is'nt a problem as I'm hiring a studio in the local station for the winter. I just want to know whether you put the chains on the back or front wheels (as its AWD)?

Viken

Back. The AWD system has a 95% rear wheel bias most of the time.

Wayne 993TT in France

thanks

Adrian

Dear Wayne,
I am a bit late on this subject. There is insufficient clearance on the rear of any 911 using 9 inch or wider wheels for snow chains. Highly unrecommended. This is all in your owners manual by the way. If you want to run snow chains you will need to reduce your rear wheel width to 8 inches.
The 993TT is not a suitable auto for the mountains of Europe unless you have 100% autobahn access to the ski resorts. It is far too powerful and the majority of the drive before traction control kicks in, is on the rear. Because of the power available the risk of throwing the snow chains is very high and believe me they can and will do a lot of damage when you throw them. Our driveway can pay testiment to that. You should have seen the damage to the BMW that attempted it.
A 964 C4 is actually the best mounbtain road driver in the snow because of the mechanical AWD system. However that is another story.
How do I know these things. I happen to live in the mountains of Switzerland. We see many damaged autos every year. Mainly BMWs and Mercedes but I have seen one C2 cab that threw a snow chain a couple of years ago. Not nice.
There is a comment above about seeing these 911s in the ski resorts. This is quite true. The vast majority are owned by people who live there and they will be "seen" but rarely driven. Of course the weather is not always bad in winter in the mountains and the roads are cleared, well sometimes they are. Ice is the biggest enemy.
Ciao,
Adrian
911C4

PS: You will even see Ferraris in some snow resorts. Visit St Moritz. Rolls Royces in the car parks. Never go anywhere but they look good.

Wayne 993TT in France

Ahh yes. But mines in German and I don't speak the lingo.....

Actually the ways things are going it looks like I may have to sell the car..

Adrian

Dear Wayne,
Photocopy the pages containing the words Felgen, Reifen, Schnee und winter. Should be two pages. Fax them to me on +41718582797 and I will translate them for you and send you the results.
I also understand your last statement. Many Porsche owners are currently in similar positions. Many different reasons but ending up with either having to move on or lack of money,
Ciao,
Adrian
911C4