Recommended Class S Snow Chain or Tire Sock for 2019 Subaru Ascent with 245/60r18 Tires

Updated 01/14/2020 | Published 01/13/2020

Products Featured in This Question

ISSE Classic Snow Socks - Size 72 - 1 Pair

(53)

$111.71

Glacier Multi-Arm Tire Chain Tensioners for 16" to 19" Rims - Rubber - 1 Pair

(416)

$55.36

Glacier Cable Tire Chains - Ladder Pattern - Roller Links - Manual Tensioning - 1 Pair

(1115)

$122.51

Question:

Hello. I own a 2019 Subaru Ascent with 245/60R18 tires. The car manual has this note about chains Tire chains cannot be used on your vehicle because of the lack of clearance between the tires and vehicle body. NOTE: When tire chains cannot be used, use of another type of traction device such as spring chains may be acceptable if use on your vehicle is recommended by the device manufacturer. Make certain that any traction device you use is an SAE class S device, and use it on the front wheels only What snow chain/cable do you recommend?

asked by: Sunil C

Expert Reply:

This isn't an uncommon problem to have, and I have the perfect solution for you. Have a look at the ISSE Hybrid Snow Socks - Size 72 # TCH72, which are a Class S compatible and designed with vehicles that have limited wheel well clearance in mind. I prefer these to spring chains since they're easier to install than any type of chains, and they won't damage the vehicle if there is a break like a spring chain potentially could. These socks are DOT compliant in all 50 states, so you'll be able to use them wherever your travels take you.

If you wanted to go with traditional spring chains, the Glacier Cable Snow Chain # PW2029C are a spring roller style chain that are also Class S compatible and will fit on the 245/60R18 tires on your Subaru. To use these, it's recommended that you also use an adjusters like the Glacier Multi-Arm Rubber Adjusters # PW105, which will ease the installation as well as help provide a more secure fit on your tires. By the time you add these together you're going to be nearing the cost of the Snow Socks, and for me, the ease of use of the socks outweighs the negligible difference in price between the two options.

expert reply by: Erik B