OT Driving I-5 in Feb, Driving I -5 Feb Conditions Options

[0396]

OK,

I need some advice from my fellow Teeners that live / have local knowledge
in driving from Stockton Calif to Seattle Wa- during the month of February.

My inquiry deals with 'snow / road ' conditions during that month.
* do I NEED snow chains - even if car is an full time Audi.
* If stopped for chain check- do these CHP understand that the Audi has full time 4 wheel.
* what are your local suggestions? I plan on making the mt trip from Redding to Medford in the day time..to me this much safer as there 'should ' be more traffic
utilizing the road..thus clearing up any snow / etc.

ANY suggestions is welcome..

ps I JUST bought a new set of Nokian WS all season snows for this trip..do I NEED to worry??

Thank YOU! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[jcd914]

Currently on I-80 (from http://www.dot.ca.gov/cgi-bin/roads.cgi):
[IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA & THE SIERRA NEVADA]
CHAINS ARE REQUIRED ON ALL VEHICLES EXCEPT 4-WHEEL-DRIVE VEHICLES WITH SNOW
TIRES ON ALL 4 WHEELS FROM 1 MI EAST OF BAXTER (PLACER CO) 7 MI EAST OF TRUCKEE (NEVADA CO)

This is typical in CA when they first require chains installed. The exception for vehicles with 4WD and Snow Tires will apply to your Audi quattro. And yes the CHP does know that an Audi quattro is AWD. I don't go up into the snow too often but when I do I take my A6 or S4. What model Audi are you driving?

When they start requiring Chains on 4WD you don't really want to be driving up there anyway. Even if you are skilled at driving in the snow there are 25 other yahoo's up there that believe because they have a 4wd SUV they can go anywhere at any speed. It is MY Experience that the 4WD SUV's and trucks are the one that get stuck, slide out of control, wreck etc ... most since they feel invincible with their 4WD.

Jim
Audi owner in Sacramento

[Demick]

When they start requiring Chains on 4WD you don't really want to be driving up there anyway. Even if you are skilled at driving in the snow there are 25 other yahoo's up there that believe because they have a 4wd SUV they can go anywhere at any speed. It is MY Experience that the 4WD SUV's and trucks are the one that get stuck, slide out of control, wreck etc ... most since they feel invincible with their 4WD.

This is TRUE TRUE TRUE! And since nearly every Californian has an SUV (ya know, so that they can get to the mall in style), and nearly no Californian knows how to drive in the snow, it can get downright scary up there when there is snow on the roads. That's why the CHP treats drivers like idiots - because so many of them are when it comes to snow.