Ski Club 2.0 Home
Snow Reports
FAQFAQ

Mail for help.Help!!

Log in to snowHeads to make it MUCH better! Registration's totally free, of course, and makes snowHeads easier to use and to understand, gives better searching, filtering etc. as well as access to 'members only' forums, discounts and deals that U don't even know exist as a 'guest' user. (btw. 50,000+ snowHeads already know all this, making snowHeads the biggest, most active community of snow-heads in the UK, so you'll be in good company)..... When you register, you get our free weekly(-ish) snow report by email. It's rather good and not made up by tourist offices (or people that love the tourist office and want to marry it either)... We don't share your email address with anyone and we never send out any of those cheesy 'message from our partners' emails either. Anyway, snowHeads really is MUCH better when you're logged in - not least because you get to post your own messages complaining about things that annoy you like perhaps this banner which, incidentally, disappears when you log in :-)
Username:-
 Password:
Remember me:
👁 durr, I forgot...
Or: Register
(to be a proper snow-head, all official-like!)

Ford Mondeo 18" Alloys and Snow Chains

 Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
Hi Snowheads

I have just bought a brand new Ford Mondeo with 18" Alloy Wheels and Lower Profile Tyres ( Standard is 17" )

I did tell the salesman in conversation that I would be travelling alot in Europe during winter and that I may need to use snow chains.

Upon delivery of the car on Tuesday night I was reading the manual and in the book Ford recommend not fitting snow chains to this size wheel. If this is the case I am totally stuck.

I went to see the Salesman yestarday and although I don't blame him for my error I would have thought that he would have advised me of this problem before I took it as an additional option.

According to Fords Service dept they say that ford recommend not to put snow chains on any of their wheels above 15" ( however the manual doesn't state this and clearly shows their 17" wheels as being suitable for snow chains ).

Now without having to go out and buy a set of new wheels ( 17" ) or asking to swap wheels with my neighbour who has the same car but with 17" wheels ( And before anyone states Ive not gone bigger in an attempt to make up for my manhood wink wink ) each time I go to europe in winter can anyone please advise whether fitting snow chains to this size wheel would become too great a risk.

Obviously the problem with the wheel size and chains is due to clearance around the wheel arch and the suspension.

Hopefully the great minds around here may have a solution for me

Thanks
snow report
 Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
What about snow socks? Going over the Col from La Grave to Serre Chevalier on the 12th this month, I saw a car with them on that was coping well. The French signs were saying that specialist equipment - rather than just snow chains, was obligatory - so maybe the authorities' objections to snow socks have changed (I have heard they have improved).
ski holidays
 Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Super Eagle, Winter Tyres are the obvious first step, but I'm sure there is a solution to fitting chains, either a very low profile set or something like Spikes Spider.
Try www.snowchains.co.uk for specialist advice.
snow report
 You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
Snow socks have indeed been improved and approved for use in France.
http://www.autosock.com/default.aspx?did=9079022

Bare im mind spkes spyders take up a fair bit of room in the boot of the car.

Spare set of steel rims with winter tyres sounds like the way forward, the dealer may perhaps find a discounted set of steels for you?
snow conditions
 Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Boredsurfing wrote:
the dealer may perhaps find a discounted set of steels for you?


Quite often they go in the skip when dealer supplied upgraded wheels are supplied.

Bigger wheels might be to allow for a bigger brake option too, so check that they fit.
snow report
 You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
Having had a Ford Mondeo (17 inch wheels) and having ruined my ABS with a poor installation of snow chains, I'd go for winter tyres, perhaps on a spare set of rims as advised above.

Never tried snow socks though.
snow conditions
 Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Buy a set of winter tyres/wheels with the smallest wheel set that your car will take and buy chains fof the new configuration.

Many discussions on this site as to whether chains? or tyres?, make your own mind up. But in my view the only way to go.
snow conditions
 After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
Super Eagle, Why did you want 18 inch alloys with low profile tyres? Firstly the ride tends to be much harsher than 16 or even 17 inch rims, the tyres are more expensive and are very prone to pothole and kerb damage, they are not great on the slippy stuff either. As you have found they are not that suitable or easy for chains. There is little or no benefit from the wider rims on roadholding, unless you like 'track' days (unlikely in a Mondeo Laughing )

Presumably you went for the 18 inch alloys for looks (it takes all sorts Laughing ) and therefore want to keep them 'nice'. So why not buy a set of narrower steel wheels with winter tyres and chains. Put them on from november to march and store your nice alloys away from our winter road salt. You also get the benefit of 5 months less wear on your low profiles each year Smile Sorted.
ski holidays
 You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
Super Eagle,

I have the same car. Get some Clack and Go (Quattro)
They work fine. I have used them "lots" of times
snow conditions
 Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
I bought a set of Snow Socks but have yet to use them. My A6 has the S Line suspension which means normal chains can't be used, only the £300 ones that sit in the middle of the tyre will fit.

I researched the socks thing and they are accepted by the French authorities but my four wheel drive system has been more than adequate to cope with the snow here and in Tignes (yes, we had plenty in Tignes over Christmas and New Year).

If buying another set of wheels, buy a set of winter tyres for them too. They will last for many winters if you only use them when the UK weather gets bad or for alpine jaunts.

ETA - I am sure my Mondeo had 17s and I fitted chains to that, with no problems. That was an 04 car though, not the latest shape.
ski holidays
 snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
I have Thule K Summitts for my Mondeo Titanium 59 plate and they work fine, expensive at around 280 squid, but good chains and will solve clearance problems
ski holidays
 And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
http://www.thulesnowchains.co.uk/p/k-summit-range
latest report
 So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
Steel wheels are about £30 each brand new from a main dealer. Worth going back to the dealer you've had trouble with, they'll probably do them at cost because they've made a mistake and don't want you using your return policy in the Ts & Cs - alternatively you can argue not fit for purpose as you made it clear you needed to fit chains. If you hadn't said anything and spoken to the salesperson you wouldn't have a leg to stand on, but as they knew what you were going to use it for and didn't point out the unsuitability, they have a problem.

Once you've got your bargain steel wheels, get some snow tyres. You are unlikely to need chains with good quality snow tyres, so means less chance of having to get out and faff about in the middle of the night. Then buy some standard chains that won't be expensive.
snow report
 You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
Have a look on
http://www.mytyres.co.uk/Steel_wheels.html

When I bought the winter tyres for my car it was only an extra £10 for the steels and that was fitted also so it was cheaper than getting tyres fitted at garage to my own wheels.
Bear in mind that was a bit of a one off deal but you may find similar.
Also 16"winter tyres are way cheaper than 17 or 18.
You`ll find that the 16" wheels will fit with larger profile tyre possibly.

hth
snow report
 Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
The fact that the rims are 18" in diameter has probably nothing to do with it. Think about it, unless they've changed the suspension, gearbox/differential and the speedo, the outside diameter of the tyre will be the same.

The killer is probably the width of the rim and/or tyre. This will put it nearer the gubbins inside the wheel arch and leave insufficient room for the chains.

As mentioned above, best to get winter tyres on steel rims that are both smaller diameter and narrower. In fact the narrower the better on soft snow. But don't forget to check with your insurance company first Wink

For all information wheely try here:
http://www.carbibles.com/tyre_bible.html
snow report
 Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
I run chains on my RX8 on 225/45/18's and there is very little clearance but have no problems with my Weissenfels 9mm clack and go pro tech's, You will need to watch out when putting them on that you dont snag enything expensive but once on they tighten themselves as you drive so you dont risk that loose end causing damage. Its nice driving past the stranded X5's Very Happy
latest report
 Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
kevindonkleywood,
Quote:

Its nice driving past the stranded X5's

aw, come on that's not difficult is it Laughing Laughing
snow report
 Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Get some michelin easygrip composite chains. They are a peice of cake too fit and remove and are legal in France. Even my girlfriend can fit them in about 20 seconds.
ski holidays
 You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
Don't bother with snowchains this year. If you get caught in a blizzard then you're one lucky b....d!!
snow report
 Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
jellylegs, Sad sounds like a scream of pain?
snow report
 You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
Hi, I have a mondeo ST and my tyre size is 225 40 18. In my manual it also says don't fit chains, but I know plenty of people who have put them on it. With mine being an ST it is much lower than the standard car and I have never had issues.
snow conditions
 Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Chain clearance issues are hardly ever because of the distance between the tyres and the front wings, it's normally the clearance between the inside of the tyre and the suspension strut that causes problems.
snow report
 After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
Having spent far too many years of my life working for and with the mighty blue oval I can confidently say that in all liklihood you won't have an issue. For Ford to approve use of chains they need to do a full wheel and tyre package clearance check. This entails a CAD exercise where the wheel and tyre are modelled in full supension travel with full lock application - full bump, jounce and rebound with full steering geometry and maintain the WCR (Worldwide Clearance Requirements) which as I recall is 10mm (dynamic) to all surrounding components. I don't believe the 18" wheel and tyre package would pass this. Obviously if you're just expecting to use chains slowly and carefully you'll probably never have a problem. If you do a full lock manouvre whilst hitting a pothole and braking you might have a problem... It's a risk I'd be prepared to take. Having said that I dont drive a Ford.
ski holidays



Terms and conditions  Privacy Policy