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yellow dahlia

(6,871 posts)
19. I didn't have any difficulty following along with your answer, ID.
Tue Jan 27, 2026, 01:10 PM
Jan 2026

There's regular routine, and there are special circumstances. Those different scenarios have changed over time.

"Regular every day" when I was first driving involved keeping chains in the trunk, for most of us in New England. And at the time the more severe circumstances involved driving on certain roads and through mountain passes, where we pulled out the chains. There were then, and there still are, certain places where chains are not just expected...they are required.

But nowadays - the improvements in cars have mostly eliminated the need for chains, particularly somewhere like Boston. We have all the improvements of tires and vehicles and braking systems. We also have better DOT operations with regular sanding and salting.

We are glad that most places use environment friendly salting products nowadays. And we are glad we don't have chains tearing up the city streets.

When conditions require chains, it is not left to chance. I haven't driven through a pass in decades. But there were check points and signs back then.






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Question about snow driving [View all] dixiegrrrrl Jan 2026 OP
If your entire journey is on packed snow, sure, chains make sense unblock Jan 2026 #1
Tire chains are no longer necessary. Irish_Dem Jan 2026 #2
True in some cities, but please, do not propagate the very WRONG notion that they are not needed or hlthe2b Jan 2026 #5
I answered the OP's question. You raise another question. Irish_Dem Jan 2026 #7
Read what you just wrote. My gawd, do you not see the contradictions? hlthe2b Jan 2026 #13
I didn't have any difficulty following along with your answer, ID. yellow dahlia Jan 2026 #19
The OP mentioned Boston. Chemical Bill Jan 2026 #15
The poster made a GLOBAL statement and I quote: "Tire chains are no longer necessary." hlthe2b Jan 2026 #18
This message was self-deleted by its author Chemical Bill Jan 2026 #21
WRONG/Misleading. See my other post hlthe2b Jan 2026 #6
Whoever wrote that doesn't live at 7500 feet DenaliDemocrat Jan 2026 #12
The OP mentioned Boston. Chemical Bill Jan 2026 #16
Do they still make studded tires? multigraincracker Jan 2026 #3
Same here and I believe they had to be off by the first of May here in New York Rhiannon12866 Jan 2026 #4
My take is that people want to get in the car and drive. Chemical Bill Jan 2026 #8
You're missing that almost all cars today are front wheel drive Jersey Devil Jan 2026 #9
In short, chains kinda suck. Happy Hoosier Jan 2026 #10
Probably. dixiegrrrrl Jan 2026 #20
Used to snow a LOT more. Kid Berwyn Jan 2026 #11
Back in the 1970s, I used to ski a lot in the Sierra Nevada mountains MineralMan Jan 2026 #14
Most vehicles are front wheel drive now - it makes big difference. LeftinOH Jan 2026 #17
Latest Discussions»General Discussion»Question about snow drivi...»Reply #19