Snow Chains- Can anyone help? 2015 GTS

[AndyWard]

I will be travelling to areas of France, Switzerland and Italy where it is a legal requirement to carry snow chains and to fit them when local signs or snow conditions dictate this law applies throughout the winter up until 15th April. Rear tyres on the GTS are 305/30 on 20" Rims. I cannot find any supplier of snow chains for that size of tyre. My local OPC cannot help as Porsche tequipment don't even supply them! Seem's very strange that between September and May I therefore am not able to legally drive my car in certain areas of Europe! Has anyone else come across this problem? Does anyone know where these snow chains can be obtained? Any help would be appreciated

 

[Alan Stamper]

Might be of interest !

https://www.roofbox.co.uk/scripts/rbvehsel4_tab.php/car-accessories/polaire_grip_polyurethane_front_fitting_snow_chains_size_110/Qx%40w%2C6M42VAwp3%40o9%60tNcU2mU%2C1U9ymEsf%2C

 

[fireblade]

Yes and No!

My OPC was delighted to sell me a set of winter wheels (including winter tyres) plus exclusive "special Porsche snow chains"
When the price was mentioned well over £2,000 I took my girlfriends Jeep Grand Cherokee with off the shelf snow chains s costing £50.00 the set.

You might get a better deal, if so please let me know

 

[AndyWard]

Thanks for the replies. Don't have access to a jeep Cherokee I'm afraid! Thanks to Alan for the link. I have looked at those. The major problem with the GTS apart from the tyre size is the center lock wheels. All the different types of snow chains I have looked at require at least one wheel bolt to fix to so this completely rules them out for the GTS. OPC happy to sell me a set of winter wheels and tyres for £4000 plus - but still no good as snow chains won't fit with center locks and even with winter tyres fitted the snow chains are still a legal requirement.

 

[fireblade]

Bit of a joke really!

German world class cars that you cannot drive in Europe in winter!
My 4wd Turbo S coped well when our Island stopped for a day last week but sorry to say even without chains the Grand Cherokee was the winner.
Several Porsches, (thankfully not mine) just bottomed out with the wheels in the ruts but became sleds due to height. Grand Cherokee just selected "Snow" and Max ride height.

I always though of mine as an all weather car but snow seems to beat it. I see lots of Porsche adds for winter driving days, what do they use?

 

[AndyWard]

I did point out to my OPC (From whom I bought the car) that it might have been polite of them to mention to me that I would not be able to legally drive it for six months of the year in certain parts of Europe! Sympathy and coffee but still no solution.

 

[mclark]

https://fr.michelin-lifestyle.com/downloads/promotions/easy-grip-size-guide.pdf

Hi Andy

Have a look at these, not sure if they have your wheel size, but worth a check.
I went skiing yesterday in France, snow falling and roads clear at 1800m. Certainly no need for chains, but I do have winter wheels on the Q5! Can’t wait to bring the 911 down next month, the French roads are fantastic, enjoy your trip.

Mike

 

[AndyWard]

Thanks Mike - Close - but not close enough. They do them for a 20" rim but not for 305/30 profiles. According to latest from OPC I have to buy a set of winter center lock wheels plus a full set of smaller winter tyres and then buy the Porsche snow chains to fit them! Grand total - Approaching £6000! Don't want them, don't need them, would never use them Just need to satisfy legal requirements of the area for carrying snow chains!
Can't see an answer to this one.

 

[Peter_Bull]

I see lots of Porsche adds for winter driving days, what do they use?

They use studded tyres and they perform absolutely brilliantly.

When I was at the Porsche Ice Driving in Finland two years ago the cars performed almost as well on snow/packed snow as they did on tarmac. I would never have thought it to be truthful, but it opened my eyes to just what a couple of mm of stud can do.

 

[pse_SC]

...I would never have thought it to be truthful, but it opened my eyes to just what a couple of mm of stud can do.

Here’s a phrase begging to be taken out of context, Peter []

 

[AndyWard]

Thanks for the info' but studded tyres not an option for this trip. Less than 1% chance I will even encounter any snow on this trip and can't drive the 1500 mile plus round trip on studs of course. It is just the legal requirement to carry snow chains in the car that I need to satisfy.

 

[Peter_Bull]

Thanks for the info' but studded tyres not an option for this trip. Less than 1% chance I will even encounter any snow on this trip and can't drive the 1500 mile plus round trip on studs of course. It is just the legal requirement to carry snow chains in the car that I need to satisfy.

In that case I would just buy the cheapest you can find - chuck them in the boot and job done. How will plod know they won't even fit!

...I would never have thought it to be truthful, but it opened my eyes to just what a couple of mm of stud can do.

Here’s a phrase begging to be taken out of context, Peter []

He he Paul - trust you mate! []

 

[Lancerlot]

Yep, Peter has hit it on the head - just buy a cheap set to carry with you. Much the same with spares bulbs as it's usually impossible to carry genuine spares, so just have a travel box of standard ones from Halfords, RAC etc. and have them handy to show as and when necessary.

Incidentally, do we still have to carry breathalysers in France or has that requirement been rescinded now?

Regards,

Clive

 

[AndyWard]

Yes point taken. I have to do that with spare bulb kit of course when I travel in Europe. We all know you can't carry spare bulbs for all lights on modern Porsches - LED's etc.' so I just keep a set of what is possible in the car. As for the snow chains. Checked again on the Michelin Easy Grip (Thanks for the link Mike) Have ordered a set that cover 20" rims albeit not for the exact tyre size (295/35 R20 rather than 305/30 R20) but given that I won't actually need to drive the car with them on and that I could if needs be demonstrate to our French officer friends that they do fit on the tyres and rims I am leaving it at that.
In response to Clive as far as I am aware yes you still need to carry a breathalyser that is in date and also high vis vest for yourself and any passengers (Which according to the somewhat pedantic French law must must be reachable from the drivers seat!) plus a warning triangle
Thanks for all the helpful responses so far

 

[mclark]

Hi Andy

have you completed your trip? If so, how did it go?

Mike

 

[Dylan1]

Hi I’ve driven in March the last few years through France switz Germany and Italy in the 981S with normal summer tyres.
thats including last week in a blizzard! A little squirmy that’s all .never been asked to show chains though I take an old set I had for an M3 ten yrs ago!
theyll never know or be bothered
hi vis spare bulbs and triangle as per clive
but my info is that the breathalysers are no longer law
have a great trip