twentysixteen Outback AWD Tire Chains - Cause Damage?

[snowaterskier]

I recently purchased a new twentysixteen Outback AWD, I head into the mountains regularly and have always had tire chains with me for security. I have been told that damage can occur if tire chains are used on a AWD Subaru but have not found any cautionary statements on this forum. I put new Blizzak snow tires on so I am not anticipating having any issues but I have personally witnessed a 36" dump while I was skiing and was glad I had chains to get my vehicle out of the parking lot and back to the mountain condo - the plows just simply cannot keep up with this type of snow event. Question 1). Will damage occur to the transmission or brakes or anything else with limited use of proper fitting tire chains? 2). My instinct say's to put the chains on the rear two tires, is this correct? 3). If the answer to question 1 is a resounding YES, then another idea I have if I get stuck is to simply place the tire chains laid out in front of the rear, or front, tires so that I can drive up on them to gain traction and up and out of whatever I am stuck in without actually placing them  around the tires, (This however would create more traction on some wheels than others which may lend to transmission issues).

 

[987687]

You don't want two wheels grabbing, two wheels slipping. I'm assuming it's an automatic, that would be EXTREMELY rough on the transfer clutches in the transmission. Also, putting tire chains on AFTER you get stuck is always recipe for disaster, it's easiest to drive onto the chain the wrap it around the tire. If you're stuck that is, by definition of being stuck, not possible. There really isn't much reason to have tire chains with a subaru and brand new snow tires. If you have a lot of heavy snow you're just gonna high center and get stuck anyway, chains or no chains. If it's light and fluffy the snow tires will be fine.

[idosubaru]

I can't imagine it would matter if you're driving on snow, there's plenty ability to slip.  

 

For example - I routinely install locking switches on automatic Subaru's and have a locking center differential manual Subaru.  They torque bind immediately in a dry parking lot as they are "locked" with no give at all.  But when driving on snowy roads and slippery conditions - no issues at all.  It can't torque bind when it's that nasty and slick out.  Granted you can't turn it on and off easily like I can but with proper precaution on majority covered roads - no problemo. 

 

I'm unsure on placement but I would think you want chains on all 4 wheels so they're the same equivalent diameters and meeting the circumference spec in the owners manual.  That's sort of a guess though. 

[CNY_Dave]

I'd say chains on all 4, only the front if you really onlky want to do 2, and any damage would only be from the chains actually hitting body panels.

 

If it's slick enough for chains, my guess is only having 2 on can not generate enough torque against the other 2 to damage the AWD, an auto probably more resistant to damage in that exact circumstance..

[Fairtax4me]

I think they're more worried about people running chains on only two wheels. If you run chains on all 4 I don't think you have anything to be concerned with.

 

Another thing to consider is the amount of room between the tire and the suspension/strut. If there isn't much room, a chain may drag or get hung up on the suspension and damage the tire or suspension.