Snow Tire Chain Recommendation with Rim Protection for a 2008 Audi A4

Question:

I want to purchase the Thule 12mm CB12 chains, but am worried about scratching/damaging my wheels. I have a 2008 Audi A4 with the Titanium package that includes low profile tires: 235/40ZR18. Should I be worried about this with these chains and my tire size? Thanks

asked by: Nick

Expert Reply:

I have a few sets of snow tire chains that will work with the 235/40ZR18 tires on your 2008 Audi A4, but the Thule CB12 tire chains that you referenced do not offer rim protection and they will be too small for your tire size.

The Thule tire chains that will work for your car are the Konig CG9 Tire Chains, # TH00023100. These are higher end tire chains that include many great features that traditional tire chains simply don't offer.

I have installed these and they're extremely easy to put on once you know how to do it. I recommend practicting ahead of time just to learn the process because they're kind of intimidating at first. But after you do it a couple of times you'll catch on. Ease of installation is definitely underrated until you find yourself on the side of a road in the middle of a snow storm installing chains. These chains offer rim protection and they are confirmed to fit your tire size.

Once you receive the tire chains it is always a good idea to test fit the chains on your tires as soon as possible. Tire chains can sometimes act like shoes. There are many different shoes for one size, but they all may not fit the same. You should also do the test fit to make sure the nylon bumpers will prevent the chains from touching your rims. The nylon bumpers are placed at the points where the chains connect to each other so they are not a continuous bumper.

expert reply by: John H