I have a Scout, I now have a set of 4 winter steels (6J x 16) fitted with winter tyres (205/55R16 Goodyear Ultragrip 8) ready for November ish, and (this frustrates the hell out of my other half who thinks I'm a freak - she may have a point ) I though I'd look at snow chains. I know they probably won't be needed but I drive to the Alps to go skiing and they are a legal requirement in some places.

I believe Skoda reccommend fitting chains to the front wheels, but what about fitting to all four wheels? Has anyone experience of this? If the weather is that bad surely four is better than two!

Just curious as to what others have done or think, comments welcome (except ones agreeing with other half that I'm a bit of a freak! :wonder: )

Only needed for the driven wheels to gain traction in severe snow.

Only needed for the driven wheels to gain traction in severe snow.

An Octavia Scout can have all four wheels driven. However, you have me thinking!

The rears are only driven via a Haldex clutch, thay are not driven full-time (unlike my old A4 which was fitted with a Torson system). Would that mean if chains were fitted to the front there would be little drive to the rears and that rear chains would be virtually redundant?

I don't know, gut feeling is four is better than two (if a bit overkill). Like I said, just curious.

It is an interesting decision with a non permanent system. Best people for answers at a guess would be a skandinavian (my spelling is bad sorry) member as they will have more knowledge of chain use than us brits. As a few mm of snow sends the Uk into total meltdown

I dont see what harm harm it would do fitting all 4 wheels with chains in bad weather, as all 4 wheels will be in action in the snow and ice, so you will have all wheels breaking and driving.

There will definitely never ever be a reason (in UK) to fit chains in rear tires if you have proper winter tires and in whorst case front chains.

I tried the Haldex on proper iced pond near hotel in Austria last winter with winter tires and it moved like a mad dog. TC On all 4 wheels moving nice and grippy. TC Off all 4 wheels spinning and moving along (wife out freezing and telling me how its going).

Had chains and tire-socks in boot, and apart from hunting down snow covered terrain around ski resort, there was no snow to be tested on any main roads in Europe, so I looked a right @ss around the Hotel testing the Haldex up and down, forward and backward (Haldex4 works on reverse too).

Rear wheels on Scout Haldex4 are "ALWAYS" driven, 2% is rear, 98% front, seen it on ice, seen it on rolling road, seen it up the lift at service, thats why the reaction when front wheels slip is so fast (try it on CR-V or RAV and it takes a few moments if ever for rears to come alive).

I read in the manual or somewhere that chains go on front only, even on 4x4.

I had some experience of fitting chains to just the front (driven) wheels of a Ford Escort van.

Very deep snow on a hill in Brighton. In fact closed off with a barrier. Flash Phosphoric got up the hill OK and removed the barrier. Started going down the hill, speed increasing even with no throttle input. Had to touch the brakes.....round came the back and I was heading sideways across the road. Hit the kerb with both offside wheels and ......nearly turned over.

A much chastened Phosphoric slunk of at 2 mph and was relieved to get off that hill in one piece.

Did you have summer tires at the back?

snow socks are handy and scary how effective they are easier to put on than chains and cause less damage to road

Agree, except you need to take them off immediately when on tarmac as they shred in minutes. Wish they were 2 quid a pair, easy on, easy off.

Did you have summer tires at the back?

Yes

On another forum it was suggested (but never confirmed) that the Haldex might get damaged by driving with chains on all wheels. I am also curious for the answer. Actually I have two pairs of chains with me, you never know what might happen in the Alpin region, but I guess it is not needed.

Driving a van with summer tyres in the snow, is asking for troubles. I have seen dozens of vans getting stuck during a snow blizzard on the autobahn, even on flat surfaces and with chains! Going down a hill is insane, even with chains.