Snow Chains???

[D_Doran]

Has anyone had any experience of using snow chains on an XK8?

I am reluctant to spend £430 per tyre for winter tyres, so considering chains instead.
My rear wheels are 20" Detroits.

Tyre size is 285/30 20 97Y's.

Looking forward to any advice.

Damian

[mike020150]

When the X100s were current, Jaguar's recommendations to fit winter tyres only applied to 17" and 18" wheel sizes. This may be linked with the recommendations that chains only be fitted to 17" tyres and spider spikes to 17" or 16" tyres and that traction control should be switched off whilst such devices are in use. Wheel to wheel arch clearances are not generous so it's easy to understand why Jaguar's advice was cautious. Jaguar's advice for current model XKs (X150s) does include the use of winter tyres for 20" wheels, tyres which may not have been available a few years ago but the advice still precludes the use of snow chains for this wheel size. Mike.

[D_Doran]

Thanks for the reply Mike...

but the advice still precludes the use of snow chains for this wheel size.

I don't suppose you could provide a link to this advice as I didn't imagine clearance was that tight (but I am a complete novice admittedly!)

Thanks, Damian

[mike020150]

The comment about clearances is my speculation about Jaguar's reason for not advising snow chain use with 20" wheels. If you check your handbook, you will find the same basic advice. Don't forget that you have to have some clearance at every extremity of wheel movement, for example at full rebound simultaneously at full lock. Having seen how close static clearances can be, it's not much of a stretch of the imagination to suggest the addition of chains could create a fouling condition under these circumstances. Mike.

[Nik]

Just a thought , how about getting a cheap set of 17" wheels (revolvers?) and fitting winter tyres to them ,
I fitted Vredestein winter tyres to my VW shortly before the snow and ice last year and they transformed the handling , the levels of grip they offer at well below 7 Deg C is truly amazing ,

Nik

[Diddion]

I've been told that Autosocks are extremely good. I bought some for our other car last year, just after the heavy snow had lifted. It hasn't snowed since, though! About £70 a pair, and it is apparently best to buy two pairs. Can only be used on ice and snow, and have to be removed when you reach clear roads. Here is a link: http://www.roofbox.co.uk/car-snow-socks ... ompany.php