First time coming up the mountain and I just found out that apparently there are no snow chains that would fit my wheels. I've got 275/35R22 on my XC90 - does anyone know if there is a particular set of chains that would fit this wheel? I am sure I'm not the only person who's trying to get up there with this car / wheel size. Wondering what others have done before. Are there any alternatives? I know Volvo doesn't recommend chains on anything bigger than 19", though 99% of the XC90s come with 20", 21" or 22". This doesn't make any sense - a car made with safety first in mind, as well as where there's shitload of snow, sells cars which can't go to the snow. Managed to find only one set of chains that would fit, which is the K-Summit XXL, but they're apparently banned from Hotham (classified as spider chains - am I correct?). I've done a lot of homework over the last few days. Called up a few rental places and some said "come we'll try to fit something", others said "no you can't fit anything on those wheels". My other option was to get a second set of wheels. I called up a few dealerships, though none have any kind of swap wheels+tyres program, they're saying "get a second set of wheels". With that, not only I have to fork out cash for the wheels which will be used once a year, but also there's additional cost each time I swap them over to recalibrate the software for the breaking, speedo etc. Any help would be very much appreciated!
This Thanks for your referral, detailed reply for tyres/wheels/snow chains for Volvo XC 90 follows shortly
1) Mount Hotham snow chains https://developmthotham.com.au/publ...33.616366389.1593749228-1925146623.1593749228 2) Mount Hotham snow chain determination 2020 https://www.mthotham.com.au/discover/explore/getting-here/chains 3) Volvo XC 90 with 22” summer tyres - Annualised winter tyre costs - 03.07.2020 If you drive the Volvo XC 90 in alpine areas regularly, it makes good financial sense follow the instructions that are in the owner’s manual and to purchase a winter tyre/wheel package that is approved for fitting snow chains. Using the winter tyres/wheels for the 4 winter months, you’ll make the vehicle safer, your vehicle will perform as the manufacturer intended in snow and icy conditions, and you’ll effectively extend the life of your original tyres by 4 months a year. For $3250.00 snowtyres.com.au can supply a set of 4 diamond pattern snow chain compatible Nokian 235/55 R19 winter tyres, 19” aftermarket wheels, including the initial fitting. Over a four years the cost of the Nokian winter tyre/wheel package is $815.00 per year. Replacement set (4) of quality 275/35 R22 summer tyres (@ $600.00 each) for a Volvo XC 90 is around $2400.00 Factor this in and Volvo XC 90 running cost then is reduced to a digestible $215.00 per winter after you deduct the saving of one set of replacement summer tyres @ $2400.00 set from the $3250.00 winter tyre package. * The fitting costs for changing over the summer/winter tyres over the four year is not included in quotation. Additional information http://snowtyres.com.au/learn/cost-benefits/ 4) VOLVO XC90 OE Tyre Listing 18” Tyre size 235 60 R 18 Wheel size 8 x 18” 42.5 ET Snow chains Volvo Centrax, or equivalent spider chains, are approved by Volvo for use on 18” winter tyres Volvo Centrax, or equivalent spider chains, are not approved for use at Mount Hotham 19” Tyre size 235 55 R 19 Wheel size 8 x 19” 42.5 ET Snow chains Volvo Centrax, or equivalent snow chains, are approved by Volvo for use on 19” winter tyres Volvo Centrax, or equivalent spider chains, are not approved for use at Mount Hotham 20” Tyre size 275 45 R 20 Wheel size 9 x 20” 38.5 ET Snow chain Volvo Centrax, or equivalent snow chains, not approved by Volvo any 20” tyres Volvo Centrax, or equivalent spider chains, are not approved for use at Mount Hotham 21” Tyre size 275 40 R 21 Wheel size 9 x 21” 38.5 ET Snow chain Volvo Centrax, or equivalent snow chains, not approved by Volvo any 21” tyres Volvo Centrax, or equivalent spider chains, are not approved for use at Mount Hotham 22” Tyre size 275 35 R 22 Wheel size 9 x 22” 38.5 ET Snow chain Volvo Centrax, or equivalent snow chains, not approved by Volvo any 22” tyres Volvo Centrax, or equivalent spider chains, are not approved for use at Mount Hotham ________________________________________ 5) Volvo XC90 - Owner’s manual online Winter Wheels - Volvo XC90 2015- Owner’s manual online https://az685612.vo.msecnd.net/pdfs...a1d/XC90_OwnersManual_MY18_en-INT_TP24809.pdf Refer pages 565-567................ Snow chains - Volvo XC90 2015- Owner’s manual online Volvo recommends that snow chains are not used on wheel dimensions greater than 19 inches. Mounting instructions are supplied with Volvo original snow chains. Snow chains may only be used on the front wheels (also applies to all-wheel drive cars). Never drive faster than 50 km/h with snow chains. Avoid driving on bare ground as this wears out both the snow chains and tyres. Use Volvo genuine snow chains or equivalent chains designed for the car model, and tyre and rim dimensions. Only single-sided snow chains are permitted. In the event of uncertainty about the show chain, Volvo recommends that an authorised Volvo workshop should be contacted. The wrong snow chains may cause serious damage to the car and lead to an accident. 6) Konig snow chain disclaimer if Konig snow chains are fitted to a wheel and tyre combination that do not comply with indications given in your vehicle's use and maintenance booklet. "Before installing and using the snow chains, please read your vehicle's use and maintenance booklet provided by the manufacturer carefully: most manufacturers provide indications on how to use snow chains. König S.p.A. will not respond for any damage to property and/or people and/or animals caused by improper use of the snow chains, or that do not comply with indications given in your vehicle's use and maintenance booklet. The result of your research comes from compatibility tests carried out on vehicles using König snow chains. Said tests only refer to the vehicles as produced and commercialised by the manufacturer and tested by König S.p.A. The technical and manufacturing characteristics of vehicles and tyres can be varied by manufacturers. Said variations do not have to be communicated by the manufacturer. Variations can be introduced after tests carried out by König S.p.A. and can affect correct assembly and/or how snow chains work on the vehicle. König S.p.A. takes no liability for any difference in technical and/or manufacturing characteristics of vehicles and/or tyres tested to those of the customer's vehicle and/or tyres. In any case, before using the snow chains, we advise doing a trial assembly test in safe conditions, checking, for a short stretch going slowly, that there is no interference between chain and the vehicle's mechanical parts. The result of your research is purely indicative for the user. The latter must control and check that its vehicle and tyre characteristics allow the snow chains to be mounted and used correctly." 7) Contact for Nokian snow tyres and snow chains for Volvo XC90 Paul Miles Phone: (03) 9822 9539 Mobile: 0402 057 343 paul@roofcarriersystems.com.au 469 Burke Road, Camberwell, VIC 3124 roofcarriersystems.com.au snowtyres.com.au Nokian winter tyres are marked with the 3PMSF Snow Flake Alpine Symbol showing they are approved for severe snow conditions according to ECE 117.02 snow test.
Thanks for detailed response, appreciate it! So technically there's no chance I'm getting up there unless I get 19" wheels and winter tyres. I understand if you factor it in long term, the cost is ok, but for a one-off trip it just doesn't seem reasonable at all. If I was to stay at Cobungra and not go to the resort, would I be able to get there via Omeo without snow chains?
You would most likely get there ok but you are supposed to carry chains. Police/mountain staff can check. I have been checked by police for chains on the FC road but not on either approach to Hotham. Can you borrow/rent an alternative vehicle?
Yes I found some cheap 18" rims for my Touareg - $500 for the set - and put snow tyres from @snow drive solutions on - they came out cheaper than the 21" standard tyres on the car, and I do the bulk of my KMs in winter so for me not only is it more safe but it's actually more economical, however I go every week! It's definitely a trap though and something new car buyers must enquire about.
At a guess if you make 3 annual trips of longer than 2 days, it would be cheaper to buy an alternate set of wheels with tyres than rent a vehicle, or be constrained in your accommodation choices and lift access.... the cost of the tyres would be defrayed against the cost of your next set of tyres in any case. Surely a Volvo driver is more likely to fall for this kind of reasoning than an Audi driver for instance.....
Thanks for all the suggestions, I totally understand why I need chains and/or winter tyres. The reality is, I don't know how often I'll go up and whether investing (??) $3000+ for a spare set is worth it. It sucks that car manufacturers sell these vehicles with massive wheels, but then blame the ski resorts for the chains requirement. You buy a new car, excited to take it for a trip to the snow with your family and you get told you need to fork out another 3k or rent another car. It's dumb. Also, how often do you REALLY need snow chains? Most of the time (in my last 10 years I've been driving to Buller), AWD/4WD are not required to put chains on. It's easier for the resort to throw the ball to the losers, rather than spent a bit more to cover the icy/snowy parts with rock and salt, and clean more often, in which case nobody will ever need snow chains. I grew up in Europe where we get 2m snow on average every winter, I know when and why you would need chains... Typically you run a truck that clears and throws salt+rock behind, therefore the road is always clean. We're not talking about hundreds of kilometers here, it's only a small patch at the top of the mountain... I guess my only bet would be to go via Omeo and park at Cobungra. Would I be able to get there without even carrying snow chains? Where's the first checkpoint from that side of town?
The worst part about that is the ride, my car is much more comfy on the 18”, doesn’t corner quite as well but it’s much smoother on the open road.
The trouble with rarely needing chains is that the day you really need them is the day you really want to be on the hill.
You could comfortably drive to Dinner Plain from the Omeo side. It's outside Hotham resort area. Closer than Cobungra. There is a bus from DP. No check point on that side, only a camera to scan number plates to check resort entry has been paid ( beware, hefty fine if not paid in advance).
I seem to remember it being a bit naughty to drive in to DP without chains, I did exactly that from the Omeo side a number of years ago and have a recollection that chains are mandatory from a short distance prior to DP. I snuck my car in, it remained parked there until we left as our friend drove us to and from Hotham.
I seem to recall that the "chains must be carried from here" sign is at the top of Cobungra Hill, approx eight to ten km. Omeo side of the airport. Also for the next week or so they are manning "Mother Johnsons" entry point.
Has anyone tried putting chains on the rear wheels on an AWD (Haldex)? What are the risks other than limited/no steering going downhill?
I bet I can get further and safer with that escalade, compared to the idiots putting chains on the wrong wheels, or getting their driver's licenses translated without doing a driving course/test over here after coming off the boat. The problem is much bigger, but the easiest way out for both Vicroads and Hotham is to throw the ball in our court. Nanny state
