Do I really need chains for Coquihalla Hwy?
 

Hi guys,

I have C300 4Matic now and I just bought set of Michelin X Ice Xi2 for winter driving.

I am also planning to go to Sunpeaks for ski and just wondering if I need to have snow chain for Coquihalla Hwy??

I was there last winter but wasn't that much of snow, this year radio says lots of snow..

anybody??

The Coq, especially up in the Summit, changes weather almost hourly. One hour it will be clear skies with minor dusting on the road, and the next minute it will be covered in half a foot of snow. I highly recommend you use chains. Because there are so many warnings to use chains on certain sections, if you crash, ICBC will likely void your collision claim.

And it's not just protecting yourself when you use chains... the last thing I want when I'm going up a hill is to see someone doing 360's sliding down the hill because they don't have enough traction (even if you are running Xi2's).

Thank you!!
Will have to buy one..
Just wondering - if I have 4 matic do I need all 4 Chains??

If you're competent then you don't need them. Our family, and family friends, have been going to Silverstar yearly for about 8'ish seasons.

Not once have any of us needed chains, albeit we all had snowies with awd vehicles. But my dad made the trip in our old 1996 Voyager on all seasons and was fine. On that trip it was so cold the heater on full couldn't keep the van warm and we were driving by looking at the side road indication markers (we also got passed by a firefly haha).

So, do you need chains? Legally I'm not sure if it's required for the summit portion. If you're not doing the summit you should be fine, cuz the most intense stuff is going over the top. So no, if you're not retarded you should be fine.

But, I have a sinking suspicion you're "new" to snow. So get some so we don't see you on the news. And yes, you should get all 4 if you're getting them. They're cheap enough anyways.

Well considering all of the flashing lights and gigantic yellow signs leading up to the summit states you're required to carry chains, there's probably some legal work in there somewhere.

But yes, while I recommend to most people to use 'em, it's not always completely necessary. I know I've done that trip a couple times without chains, although I had very good studded tires and took my time.

I am not quite new new to the snow - I am from east coast where snow starts mid Oct to mid Apr.
Back then (8 yes ago) it wasn't big of deal, but here once it snows lots of accidents etc.
I do not mind spending money on chains, just wasn't sure about driving condition - only been there once =)
Thank you
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That highway is difficult and dangerous during the winter, I would never travel on it without chains and an emergency kit in the trunk. Plus, Xi2 tires are more of an ice performance tire than a deep snow tire from the reviews I read, so I would think the extra traction might be needed.

Most of those signs say Good winter tires OR chains.

That being said, If I was driving up there, I would have a set of chains in the trunk ready to use with my snow tires.

Just drove the Coq last night with a few buddies picking up a s14 it was miserable they had to drive 30kms the whole way a 2.5-3 hour drive took them almost 5 hours. We were in a Nissan Titan in 4 wheel the whole way and any sort of throttle put the truck sideways.

chains also help if you do get stuck, pain in the ass tossing em on in a couple feet of snow though lol

Chains are good to have but if you have winters there is no law saying you need them! If you don't mind an extra hour of driving, take the canyon (Hwy 1) to Kamloops! No high altitude pass to traverse!!

What were the conditions like? Vis, snow depth, ruts? Or was it just super icy?
+1

http://images.drivebc.ca/bchighwayca...tml/www/1.html

I have only driven it in the summer , and when I did I said to myself " God this drive would suck in the snow"

Doing 40-60km /hr with heavy snow and no visibility would take FOREVER....

will chain alone be enough with all season (haven't got my winters yet), i got the chain in the trunk. Are winters mandatory on sea to sky/ or coq hwy. I have FWD

The summit on the 97 into Kelowna was worse than the summit on the 5. I had to pass the summit in the snow to Kelowna in my lowered car, could barely get over 30kmph. Luckily I was on snow tires, otherwise I would have been stuck. Definitely grabbing chains for next time as snows were barely good enough.

A few points:

Legally, if you have proper WINTER tires (with the snowflake symbol), you aren't required to carry chains.

For safety, you can CARRY chains, in case you run into problems... however, you DO NOT want to drive on chains for any great distance, and certainly not at any great speed. Chains are meant for short-term, low-speed use to get you through particularly tough conditions.

With full-on snow/ice tires on a 4WD/AWD, I wouldn't worry about it. Take it easy, take your time, and you'll be fine.

I used to make the drive to and from (and all around) the interior in my little RWD GLC and my dad's RWD pickup all the time on all-seasons. Studded snows were nice when we could afford them, but I don't recall ever getting stuck and needing chains on my GLC... only issue it ever had in the snow was when I rolled it, and it had the studs on then!

Check your facts, you can drive with chains for long distances without issue.

chains you can get at CT for around $40. IMO its cheap insurance.

Most likely you will come across cables rather than chains. Big difference in quality and price.

These are chains:
http://www.swisherinc.com/images/tire_chains.jpg

These are cables:
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/...4L._SS400_.jpg

Just a friendly tip. Chains are best used before you actually think you need them. They are easier to put on when your in a good position to do so rather than when your stuck in the middle of the road or in deep snow. Be smart and if you feel like you might need them... use them. Better safe than sorry and after all that is what they are for.

Also just in case your wondering almost all stores do NOT do refunds on chains so if your thinking on buying them just to keep in the trunk and then return them when your back it won't work. Not saying this is what your going to do but just a general bit of info for everyone else out there.

Berz out.

Fine, you CAN... do you really WANT to? It's a rough ride, you can't go very fast, and you WILL chew up your tires faster.

You don't want to drive the chains for long distances. Because the chains are under tension, and is just wrapped around the wheels, after you regained traction there is a good chance that it would have shifted. Unless you want to have some new air holes in your under body or worst in your shocks etc. Especially in a Sedan, you would want to stop and check the chains frequently. If the weather warrants the use of it, the traffic will be freaking slow anyways.

I would check the chains after every 500m. Oh if you are chains on, you won't go more than 30kph. I would also leave a crack in the window to listen for any funny noises.

$50 bucks for a $40k+ car is a no brainer. Since you are driving a 4matic your traction lights will blink like crazy. Do refer to your manual ahead of time to see if there are any fuses or jumpers etc you need to disable the differentials, especially when you are stuck.

Bring along a shovel.. If you have loose traction chances are your car will be in a snow pit and you will have to dig in the snow to put on the chains.

I keep tow straps, shovel, flares, chains and one of those Canadian Tire Eliminator jumper packs in my winter kit. I use spikes spiders sport because after a season of putting on chains, I find it to be pain in the ass and most drivers are dumb and dangerous.

Oh it also depends where you are staying in Sun Peaks.. if you get a house, the driveway etc are heated.

I've never used chains on the coq, in a passenger vehicle, and I've been thru it on some really rough rides. I have a lot of heavy snow driving experience, and I get to know the vehicle i'm driving before I drive it through heavy snow and i'm always cautious. As long as you are 100% alert and drive safe you shouldn't have to worry. Also, the best thing to have when driving in difficult conditions is confidence in yourself as a driver.

If you wanna buy big boy chains: http://www.tirechain.com/index.html

FYI Winter tires are mandatory on all mountain passes in BC!! During winter months of course....LOL