Chain Controls
- Chain Installation You must stop and put on chains when highway signs indicate chains are required. ...
- Chain Requirement Levels During the winter months, motorists may encounter traction chain controls in the mountain areas within California. ...
- Caltrans Highway Information Network (CHIN) Caltrans officials urge you to check road conditions often. ...
- Caltrans QuickMap ...
What is a snow tread tire?
What are the requirements for a chain in California?
What is traction device?
What are the most common conditions on a highway?
What is the phone number for Caltrans?
Why can control areas change rapidly from place to place?
Does Caltrans sell tire chains?
See 4 more
About this website
How many chains do I need to carry in California?
Caltrans and CHP may require chains on all drive wheels if conditions warrant. Both axles must be chained (four wheels with chains or ATD). Chains required on inside dual (if possible) . All vehicles, including four-wheel or all-wheel drive vehicles must carry chains upon entering a chain control area.
What is R1 and R2 chain control?
"R1 requires you to carry chains with you. However, you don't have to have chains on your vehicle, as long as your vehicle is equipped with what we call snow tires." "R2 requires you to carry chains with you, but you do not have to have them on, as long as you have snow tires and four-wheel drive," he said.
What are R 2 chain controls?
* R2: Chains are required on all vehicles except four wheel drive vehicles with snow tires on all four wheels. * R3: Chains are required – all vehicles – no exceptions.
Are snow chains legal in California?
Both chains and cables are legal traction control devices for cars in California.
Do I need 4 snow chains on a 4WD?
Legally, it is only necessary to have snow chains for one axle when travelling in mountain areas. However, when driving a 4 x 4 some drivers prefer to use 4 chains (two sets). Although in most conditions a single set of chains will provide enough traction, there are significant benefits with using two sets.
Do you need chains on all 4 tires?
Ideally, you should put tire chains on all four tires for all types of vehicles. By using four tire chains, you'll be able to obtain the best possible traction and balance. Problems can occur by only chaining one axle.
What does R1 mean in chain control?
Chain Requirement Levels Requirement 1 (R-1): Chains are required on all vehicles except passenger vehicles and light-duty trucks under 6,000 pounds gross weight and equipped with snow tires on at least two drive wheels. Chains must be carried by vehicles using snow tires.
How does chain control work?
Chain Controls You must stop and put on chains when highway signs indicate chains are required. You can be cited by the California Highway Patrol and fined if you don't. You will usually have about a mile between Chains Required signs and the checkpoint to install your chains.
What are R3 chains?
Chain Requirements R1:Chains required - snow tread tires (MSS on side of tire) allowed.R2:Chains required on all vehicles except four-wheel drives with snow tires.R3:Chains required - all vehicles no exceptions.
Is it OK to leave snow chains on overnight?
While ideally you should take them off whenever you are not using them, keeping them on overnight especially if the parking area still has ice/snow in the morning is fine.
What happens if you don't put on snow chains?
The fact is that snow tires and chains are intended to give you more traction on slippery roads. So without them, if the road conditions are bad enough, you might be more likely to get into an accident, which could do even more damage to your car.
Do AWD cars need snow chains?
While you can probably safely drive your AWD (all-wheel-drive) with all-season tires in light or moderate snow, it's a common misperception that AWDs will act like a tank in slick conditions. That just isn't the case. You need snow or winter tires or even snow chains when facing severe winter roads in any vehicle.
What does R1 mean in chain control?
Chain Requirement Levels Requirement 1 (R-1): Chains are required on all vehicles except passenger vehicles and light-duty trucks under 6,000 pounds gross weight and equipped with snow tires on at least two drive wheels. Chains must be carried by vehicles using snow tires.
What is R1 chain?
Renthal R1 Works Chain is a high-performance, lightweight, low-friction, non o-ring chain specifically engineered for racing at the highest levels. Often described as "the best motocross chain available", the R1 Works Chain has high resistance to elongation and severe abrupt stresses encountered in MX & SX racing.
Can I drive to Tahoe without chains?
Lake Tahoe Chain Requirements Requirement Level 3: Chains or traction devices are required on all vehicles, no exceptions.
Do chains ruin your tires?
Snow chains can damage your tires if they're not installed improperly. They can also cause some damage if they contact the road. Make sure that your snow chains are installed correctly. Only use them on roads that have a layer of ice or snow.
Chain Control Status Chart - California
Chain Control status code and description; Status Status Description; R-0: No chain controls are in effect at this time. R-1: Chains, traction devices or snow tires are required on the drive axle of all vehicles except four wheel or all wheel drive vehicles.
Truck Chain Requirements | Caltrans - California Department of ...
Chain Requirements (PDF) - diagrammed instructions for applying chains to your vehicle Chain Controls - types of chain controls and snow-tread tire information ; Road Conditions - current road conditions, including chain requirements ; Frequently Asked Questions What are the dates for the chain law? California does not have any specific dates when vehicles are required to carry chains.
Chain Requirements AUTOS/PICKUPS - California Department of Transportation
STATE OF CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (Caltrans) Chain Requirements . Revised 10/16. V ehicles are permitted in chain control areas when
Cost for chains & someone to install them? - Tripadvisor
This sounds wimpy, but I'm afraid to install chains myself. I plan to drive our minivan up to Tahoe next week, with two small children in the car, and my understanding is that chains are currently required around the Lake (my destination is Incline Village).. Will there be opportunities to buy chains along the route, and more importantly, will I be able to pay someone to put them on my minivan ...
Are Chains Required for All Wheel Drive vehicles (Forester)?
Answer 1 of 36: First time driving to Lake Tahoe in the winter. We are driving next Wednesday (12/26). Where can I look up information on "chain requirements" ? We will be driving an All Wheel Drive Subaru Forester, is there anyway to verify whether...
Caltrans CCTV Map - California
Displays a map containing Caltrans CCTV locations and images.
What are tire traction devices?
Tire traction devices are defined in the California Vehicle Code (VC) Section 605 as “devices or mechanisms having a composition and design capable of improving vehicle traction, braking, and cornering ability upon snow or ice-covered surfaces,” and include conventional link-type tire chains and cable chains, as well as other less conventional devices such as “Spikes Spyder.” When the term “chains” is used here, it means any “tire traction device” unless it specifically states link-type chain.
What are Automatic Traction Devices (A.T.D.'s) and are they legal in California?
Automatic Traction Devices (A.T.D.'s) are used primarily on commercial vehicles, emergency vehicles, and busses. ATD's are devices mounted under the vehicle that sling chain segments under the inside drive wheels. These devices can be deployed by the driver when the need for extra traction is required. While they are legal in California and have been approved as a direct one-on-one replacement for conventional chains, vehicles with only ATD's may be required to add additional chains to outside wheels to comply with the California Chain Requirements Chart.
Are chains required on the inside “duals” on 2-axle vehicles (trucks, buses, RVs, etc.)?
Not usually, but under severe conditions, the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) may require chains on the inside duals if conditions warrant. (If conditions are this severe, it may be better to postpone the trip.)
Where are chains required?
Chains are most often required in the higher mountain passes of northern California, such as Interstate 5 north of Redding, Interstate 80 over Donner Pass between Sacramento and Reno, Nevada, and US Highway 50 over Echo summit between Lake Tahoe and Sacramento. Chains are also sometimes required on State Route 58 near Tehachapi between Bakersfield and Mojave, Interstate 15 over Cajon Pass between Victorville and San Bernardino, and Interstate 5 over Tejon Pass between Los Angeles and Bakersfield. However, snow can fall unseasonably at higher elevations at many locations within California. Chains may be required at any time at these higher elevations when conditions warrant.
Are cable chains permitted?
Usually. They are permitted for passenger cars and light trucks under virtually all conditions. Cables are not as effective as link-type chain under severe conditions at higher elevations and steep grades for “big-rigs” and may not be permitted depending on local conditions as determined by Caltrans. Whenever chain controls are posted over Donner Pass on Interstate 80, heavy trucks are usually required to have link-type chain on at least the main drive axle.
What are the dates for studded snow tires?
Studded snow tires are permitted in California from November 1 until April 30 each year. During this time, studded tires are permitted in any location within the state. Studded snow tires are not considered tire traction devices and may not be used in lieu of chains.
Is “all-wheel drive” the same as 4-wheel drive?
Yes. Even though all-wheel drive systems may differ mechanically from conventional 4- wheel drive systems, for the purposes of chain control, all-wheel drive is considered the same as 4-wheel drive.
Why is my single axle trailer turning around?
All single axle drive trucks pulling a trailer are being turned around at the chain control camper due to traction problems over Donner Summit.
Why is traffic held at the chain control check point?
All traffic is being held at the chain control check point due to accidents or weather related conditions.
Do all trucks have to stop at the chain check point?
All trucks must stop at the chain check point, Caltrans is currently screening for chains. Drivers must have maximum chains in their possession in order to proceed. Trucks without chains will be turned around. Permit loads are prohibited over the summit.
Why is the California Highway Patrol escorting traffic?
The California Highway Patrol is escorting all traffic due to weather conditions.
Do you need traction devices on all vehicles?
Chains or traction devices are required on all vehicles except four wheel / all wheel drive vehicles with snow treaded tires on all wheels.
What are the dates when California chain law goes into effect?
California does not have any specific dates when vehicles are required to carry chains. When the road is posted with a sign requiring chains, all heavy-duty vehicles (over 6,500 pounds gross weight) must be equipped with chains mounted on the tires in order to proceed. Depending on the severity of road conditions, some vehicles (passenger cars, 4-wheel drive vehicles with snow tires) may not be required to install chains at that point. The exceptions will be posted on the sign.
Are chains required on the inside “duals” on 2-axle vehicles (trucks, buses, RVs, etc.)?
Not usually, but under severe conditions, the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) may require chains on the inside duals if conditions warrant. (If conditions are this severe, it may be better to postpone the trip.)
Are cable chains permitted?
Usually. They are permitted for passenger cars and light trucks under virtually all conditions. Cables are not as effective as link-type chain under severe conditions at higher elevations and steep grades for “big-rigs” and may not be permitted depending on local conditions as determined by Caltrans. Whenever chain controls are posted over Donner Pass on Interstate 80, heavy trucks are usually required to have link-type chain on at least the main drive axle.
What are the R-1, R-2 conditions that I hear about?
Although Caltrans does not post signs with these designations nor use them to announce chain controls to the public, they are used internally within Caltrans and the CHP as a kind of shorthand to describe chain restrictions and may be included in traffic reports disseminated by various news outlets.
What are the most common conditions on a highway?
R-1 and R-2 are the most common conditions. A highway will often be closed before an R-3 condition is imposed. Some local areas may use variations of these designations. You must follow the directions on the signs posted for chain controls or any instructions given by Caltrans or CHP personnel at chain control check points, even if these are at variance with broadcast road condition reports or information contained herein.
How many categories of chain restrictions are there?
There are three primary categories of chain restrictions, as shown below:
Where to chain a car in California?
Chains are most often required in the higher mountain passes of northern California, such as Interstate 5 north of Redding, Interstate 80 over Donner Pass between Sacramento and Reno, Nevada, and US Highway 50 over Echo summit between Lake Tahoe and Sacramento. Chains are also sometimes required on State Route 58 near Tehachapi between Bakersfield and Mojave, Interstate 15 over Cajon Pass between Victorville and San Bernardino, and Interstate 5 over Tejon Pass between Los Angeles and Bakersfield. However, snow can fall unseasonably at higher elevations at many locations within California. Chains may be required at any time at these higher elevations when conditions warrant.
What is a snow tread tire?
1 Snow-tread Tires: The California Vehicle Code, Section 558 defines a snow-tread tire as follows, "A 'Snow-tread tire' is a tire which has a relatively deep and aggressive tread pattern compared with conventional passenger tread pattern". Snow-tread tires can be identified by examining the sidewall of the tire where the letters MS, M/S, M+S or the words MUD AND SNOW have been stamped into the sidewall.
What are the requirements for a chain in California?
There are Three Levels of Chain Requirements in California: Requirement 1 (R-1): Chains are required on all vehicles except passenger vehicles and light-duty trucks under 6,000 pounds gross weight and equipped with snow tires on at least two drive wheels. Chains must be carried by vehicles using snow tires.
What is traction device?
2 Tire Traction Devices: The California Vehicle Code, Section 605 defines tire traction devices as follows: "Tire Traction Devices are devices or mechanisms having a composition and design capable of improving vehicle traction, braking and cornering ability upon snow or ice-covered surfaces. Tire traction devices shall be constructed and assembled to provide sufficient structural integrity and to prevent accidental detachment from vehicles. Tire traction devices shall, at the time of manufacture or final assembly, bear a permanent impression indicating the name, initials or trademark of the assembling company or primary manufacturer, and the country in which the devices were manufactured or assembled in final form."
What are the most common conditions on a highway?
R-1 and R-2 are the most common conditions. A highway will often be closed before an R-3 condition is imposed. Some local areas may use variations of these designations. You must follow the directions on the signs posted for chain controls or any instructions given by Caltrans or CHP personnel at chain control check points, even if these are at variance with broadcast road condition reports or information contained herein.
What is the phone number for Caltrans?
Before driving, check with the Caltrans Highway Information Network (CHIN): 800-427-7623 and Caltrans Quickmap .
Why can control areas change rapidly from place to place?
Control areas can change rapidly from place to place because of changing weather and road conditions.
Does Caltrans sell tire chains?
The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) does not sell nor recommend specific brands of tire chains. It is best to check your vehicle manufacturer's specifications for use of tire chains/traction devices. Chain Installation Chart (PDF) depicting the proper placement of traction devices for all vehicles.
