I'm driving from AZ to central OR in mid-February, and will transit several mountain passes en route. I have Conti all-seasons and I should carry some chains just in case. I haven't used chains in decades and I'm looking for your experience with chains on a Cayenne and recommendations. Interested in installation aids too.

 

Anyone??? From the photos, the OEM chains appear similar to the Thule pattern. Are two for the rear enough for just-in-case service? I don't see any clearance issue since I have the air suspension.

 

Usually the owner's manual will tell you what you need to know about stuff like this (given below).

I have not done it, but I would put chains on the rears only. (rear vs. front for spin-out stability) For roads that are not closed, that should be plenty.

As you mention, clearance is an issue, and I'll guess it is the only issue to be concerned with.

The manual also says to switch off PSM when chains are installed. I'll guess the PSM would get confused by different rolling diameters.

Here's cut and paste from an owner's manual:
Snow chains
Warning!
Risk of damage to body, axle or brake components.
f Use only the fine-link snow chains recommended
and authorized by Porsche so that
sufficient clearance between the wheel well
and the chain is assured.
f Please see the chapter “TIRES, RIMS, TRACKS”
on Page 350.
f Follow instructions issued by the supplier of
the chains.
The best possible handling characteristics are
achieved when snow chains are fitted on all four
wheels of the vehicle. However, it is also possible
to fit snow chains on only one axle (preferably the
rear axle).
f Remove spacers if 18 inch tires, snow chains
or a collapsible spare wheel are mounted.
Caution!
Risk of damage to wheel housings if the
spacers on the rear axle are not removed
before fitting the snow chains.
f 17 mm spacers must always be removed from
the rear axle when snow chains are to be fitted.
f For information on the spacers:
Please see the chapter “SPACERS” on
Page 293.
Please see the chapter “CHANGING A WHEEL
WITH REMOVAL OF 17 MM SPACER” on
Page 303.
f Before fitting chains, remove accumulated ice
and snow from the wheel well.
f Vehicles with snow chains must not be driven
faster than 30 mph (50 km/h).
Different states and countries have varying statutory
requirements regarding maximum speed.
f Check with local authorities for possible
restrictions.
f Remove chains as soon as the roads are free
of ice and snow.

 

If that is your Cayenne in the avatar, looks like 18" wheels and stock size tires? 255/55-18? You should be able to fit a set of lighter chains without rubbing anything. The issue is the space between the upper ball joint and the tire sidewall, air suspension doesn't alter this dimension. This is what I would be looking at... https://www.tirechain.com/Tire-Chain...stallation.htm

Try to get a measurement of your clearances. I don't think you will need spacers with the narrower chains. You need a set of four. On beefy solid axle truck we run front only at times but not on a CV jointed front end. Fitting just to the rear is going to cause severe understeer on slippery roads, spend the extra $100 and get a second set. Only run them in full sets.

$200 for a full set is cheaper than a tow, body damage or probably the ticket for going up without proper traction. Looks like a lot of snow up that way this year too!

 

Have you looked into Autosocks as well? I believe they have now been okayed by most states when chain checks are in effect on passes. I have a pair for my CTT and my wife's SUV, but have not needed to use them yet. I don't think they will help you too much if the snow is super deep, but I don't know how brave you are.

 

Thanks. The manual says to use only thin chains and to the remove the rear spacers if using snow chains. But it also says to remove the spacers when 18-inch tires are mounted. Sounds like 18s have no spacers but I'm going to call the dealer tomorrow to be sure. If I have spacers, I'm not going to mess with chains and spacers on the road in chain conditions. I'll watch the weather closely and allow for an extra travel day in case I have to hole-up 'til the road is clear for naked rubber. A room & dinner is cheaper than chains anyway and much warmer.

 

I don't think I'm brave enough to rely on them to get me over a mountain pass in the middle of nowhere.

 

There should not be spacers fitted with the 18s. Even if there were, raising the suspension should clear the fenders easily for on road running. Should be as simple as pulling over and throwing the chains on. Nice dinner for 2 and a hotel for under $200? What if you need them coming back too?

 

I'm relocating to OR and don't expect to make this trip in winter again. I'm driving alone with my two dogs. I appreciate the advice but now that I know about the tight suspension clearance I'd only buy snow chains that are a proven safe fit on Cayenne 18s. The damage of risk is just too high. Porsche chains are too expensive for just-in-case duty on one trip. It's been surprising how few 955 owners have hands-on experience with chains that they can pass on; and not just on Reenlist.

 

I think that may be because a lot of us that have Cayennes also own other vehicles that are better suited for heavy duty offroading or extremely harsh weather conditions.

Autosocks are more capable than you may think from first glance. They were well reviewed by Consumer Reports and people that use them seem to all swear by them. They have very little chance of damaging the vehicle which is what attracted me to them, but could save the day if you get caught in the mountains with your pants down.

 

I have a set of these in my wife's 957 TT.
https://konigchain.com/en_us/chains/...-k-summit.html

It takes like a minute to put them on and put down and they fit 275/45 R20s on 9x20 just fine. I don't kbow about the price in the US but they were like 400ish euros / set here.

 

This is what Porsche calls for for my 2011 S https://www.suncoastparts.com/product/SKU958SC20.html

I carry the following in my G500 and would not hesitate ordering and using them on my Cayenne: https://www.tirechain.com/265-50R-19.htm Diamond ONROM https://www.tirechain.com/ONORM.html
You will need to update for your tire size.

You can also go with cable chains which are a little less money and also easy to work with.

Both are low clearance types.

Good luck and I hope that they are still sitting in their bags unused when you are done.

 

I'm looking at Peerless Auto-Trak diamond chains (see link) that are SAE Class-S, which is supposed to be for vehicles with tighter than usual clearance for chains. I've asked the mfr for the link size. OTOH, I looked don't see a clearance issue for the rear-only use, especially if at the high suspension setting. If I need them, I'd rather be carrying these than cable chains.

Edit - Mfr advises that these require 15mm (.59”) of side clearance and 37mm (1.46”) of tread-face clearance. I think clearance would be an issue only at extreme upward wheel movement on a very bad road. I can't imagine interference with the suspension at the high setting. I have 255/55-18s (Conti ExtremeContact DWS)

http://www.peerlesschain.com/tire-ch...tirechains/175

 

 

I have Continental all-seasons; not snow tires. I don't think they'll be very effective in more than light snow. I've ordered a pair of the Peerless chains to carry just-in-case. I'll practice putting them on and check the fit before the trip.