About a month ago I purchased my SRT6...about one week before we got hit with snow in the Denver area. I live in the foothills just west of Golden...at an elevation of 8000'...which means that I get a lot more snow than Denver. Generally speaking, once it snows, my access road/driveway get iced over for the season. My first few hundred yards of the access road has a steep, tight righthand corner that is almost impossible to negotiate in the winter months unless you have 4WD/AWD.

Since I already almost totally give up on riding my motorcycles in the winter months (unless I trailer the bikes down into the city of Golden), I wasn't prepared to let the Crossfire sit in the garage all winter. I know many of you let your Crossfires hibernate in the winter months...but I knew that I would not have the will power to do that. So began my pursuit for a wintertime solution.

First, I figured that I would get a winter wheel package from the Tirerack. I settled on some affordable Sport Edition wheels...both 18"x8"...front and rear. Then for the rubber, based on my research, I wanted the Dunlap Winter Sport 3D's...but demand in Europe (from what I was told) caused them to be sold out here in the states. I ended up going with the Michelin Pilot Alpin PA3's...225/45 in the rear and 225/40 in the front. I figured with some good quality winter tires...I would be set. Not so much. I drove down the access road with no issues...and the tires felt pretty good on some of the snow packed main roads too. But the first time heading home with the new set of shoes on...she could only make it about half way up that first turn before I had to control the slide back down. This was disappointing. I ended up having to get my son bring my Tahoe down to help pull me up and around that first corner.

So I began my pursuit for another solution...that would allow me to get up that road...but not give up too much performance for all the nice weather days in Denver. With much research I figured that I had found the Holy Grail of traction assistance...the Autosocks. Google them if you don't know what they are (and see attached pictures)...but basically they are a sock for your drive wheels made of some special fibers that aid in winter time traction. You slip on the top 3/4 of the wheel...then drive forward 3 feet and slip on the last portion. They are custom made per tire size...so they are a very snug fit. On ice they gave me traction when I had absolutely none before they were installed. Sweet...these things are amazing...and there is a Colorado retailer on eBay that sells them for only 50 some dollars shipped! First day heading back up my access road...it took me three attempt to make it up and around that first corner with thinly snow packed snow....and the next day with 1" of fresh powder (and ice underneath)...couldn't make it up. This time it was my daughter with my Tahoe to the rescue!

Third time is the charm...right? My research takes me to look at chains. I know what the manual says about a specific Rud style of chains...but man those things are hard to find in the US. I saw the RUDmatic Soft Spike's...but they looked very similar to the Autosocks...so that was not going to be the answer. Then I checked out the RUDcomfort CENTRAX...cool...these would have to work. I went to order them for about $320 from a dealer in Arizona (go figure)...but he could not guaranty that they would attach correctly to my wheels (I had read about problems people had with deep recessed lug bolts). So then I found some Thule K-Summit chains that looked almost identical to the Centrax chains....and they sold for $296 from Amazon. I figured that this was my last chance to find a solution...and if I couldn't make them work...I could return them to Amazon.

Thursday we got 30" of snow at my house...spent most the day plowing...then Friday the Thule chains came in! Today was my day to give them a try...I heading down into Denver for some last minute Christmas shopping...then the trip home! I had my daughter on standby again...just in case. I only needed the chains for the first and last 1/2 mile of my trip...so I stopped to mount the chains only a few minutes from home. This would be my first installation outside the garage...but everything went smoothly...taking no more that a total stop of about 4 minutes...never once having to get on my knees (or back) to install them. So hear comes the big test. Going up that first corner, I was about 75% up the tricky part when the traction control began taking power away (OK, it was technically breaking)...so I quickly turned the traction control off...spun the wheels a little...but gained enough traction to make it all the way up!

The final results were...winter tires = good....Autosocks = cheap but only good on terrain that is not too steep, and probably will not last that long...and the Thule K-Summit chains = equals success for those tuff situations! I am sure that many people cringe at the thought of chains on their Crossfires...but these Thule chains are extremely secure when mounted properly, they require very little profile space...and they will also fit my 255/35 summer tires if I were in a pinch.

So it is true...persistence does pay...and the third time is a (charm) SLED!

 

Well I just call that someone that wants to enjoy their Crossfire and won't take no for an answer,, Glad you got it figured out. Welcome to the Forum and Merry Christmas ..


Howard.

 

Great info! Was the transmission in winter are summer mode?

 

If I was that serious about driving my SRT6 in winter I'd probably look at these : Maxigrip Ice Studs - Tire Studs - Snow Studs | Maxigripstore.com

 

If you were REALLY serious you would live where there is no snow!

 

1. All experiments were done in Winter mode.

2. Snow studs look pretty cool...but doing that for 1 mile each day I choose to drive the Crossfire would certainly have a negative impact on the other 99% of my driving that day.

3. And if I lived where there was no snow...I would miss the majestic beauty of the mountains that surround my home (see attached picture below).



I know...these are all tough choices...but it will all be OK.

 

Maybe.....if that was an option.

 

If I could live where I had a view like that, my SRT8 Grand Cherokee would do in a pinch, and the XF would remain warm and cozy....and certainly if I lived where you do, I could afford owning an SRT8 GC..lol....but, hey, that's just me....Glad you figured it out, and hopefully they won't break on you in the wrong place, at the wrong time...sliding down that pretty view wouldn't be any fun....Merry Christmas and welcome aboard......

 

Great write-up Maximum. You surely are more persistent and dedicated to snow driving than I am. Mine never leaves the garage if there is any hint of snow on the road.

 

Wow, if you were driving a xf in golden last Thursday, you are the man. I was there for a board meeting and it was nasty. I look forward to meeting the Denver area xf group this year. Jo

 

It's good to see another Colorado Crossfire owner enjoying their car in the snow!!! Once you get comfortable with your car and get it set up right, they are a blast! I see very few Crossfires in Co. and SRT cars are super rare. I have a 05 srt6 roadster and it loves the snow and mountain driving. I know you face unique challenges living in the foothills and massive snow storms are common. I live in downtown Golden where the same can be true but without the steep hilly problems you have.

I too chose the winter wheel package from the tire rack but went with the blizzacks. I have had no problems whatsoever getting around in the snow. I actually became comfortable after just one snowstorm (8") and was impressed by the tires and how far they have progressed through the years. Your chain set up looks interesting, the set up actually looks accommodating to the tire itself? Did you have to get the tire pressure monitors reset to the new tires / wheels? I opted not to as I would just be putting the summer tires right back on in March /April. More hassle than it was worth to me.

I hope you enjoy your car as much as I am enjoying mine. I actually look forward to my 35 minute commute to work each day (one way) instead of dreading it.

This site is a vast resourse of troubleshooting and repair topics. The members here are very educated and are happy to share ideas.

If you every get the incling to give your Crossfire a shot at the track, Bandimere Speedway is the place to go. I think it's $30 a night this year and tons of fun. If you see a slate grey SRT rooadster there, it's more than likely me. It is RARE to see another Crossfire there. I am usually the only one and it draws a lot of attention especially when I open the hood to help it cool down between runs. Be prepared to answer many questions....

Thanks for the post and again, have fun in that beast!

 

two SRT's in the golden area, very cool. I have just signed a deal on a building just north of golden off of 6. we are moving our R & D to golden. my wife is finishing up a deal on a house in table rock this week.
I look forwarde to seeing you guys.
john

 

It's great to see more Colorado Crossfires! Seems we are growing in number over the past year.

 

You bringin that Cessna 190 with you ?

 

itsky and alaxfire,



thanks for the return guys. i have had my XF for 9 months now and am in love like i was as a kid with my 300 gullwing. damn these things are fun.

alaxfire, the picture is my kitfox painted up to look like my 195 that is waiting for a new engine. the fox will be perfect for colorado.. the 195 really wants to be traded for a staggerwing. beach.. my all-time favorite. you fly?

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tp'sfury

Did you have to get the tire pressure monitors reset to the new tires / wheels?

I made the same choice as you…seems silly to need the dealer to reset the TPMS twice a year. Although I did follow Rudy’s simple instructions for disabling the TPMS caution light.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tp'sfury

If you every get the incline to give your Crossfire a shot at the track, Bandimere Speedway is the place to go.

Have not had the itch yet…but I’m sure I eventually will. I’d love to learn more about that from you in the future.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leptronjohn

two SRT's in the golden area, very cool. I have just signed a deal on a building just north of golden off of 6. we are moving our R & D to golden. my wife is finishing up a deal on a house in table rock this week.

Beautiful area…I live 15 miles up Golden Gate Canyon and absolutely love it up there…but I also love the small western town feel of the city of Golden (especially downtown Golden).


I do…but now-a-days just for work (which is also pleasure most of the time).

 

I love driving through Golden Gate Canyon State Park. We "terrorized" that run last summer when we had the CAA-RME event. Lot's of twisties and scenery. I also like taking the Peak-to-Peak highway to Ward and coming down Left Hand Canyon. Hmm, me thinks we should have a nice drive in June...

 

Evan, was that the river road you were calling "Tail of the Trout"?
THAT was a blast!!!!

 

Golden Gate Canyon is one of my favorite Colorado roads...which is what led me to build a house up there three years ago. Whether in the Crossfire...or on one of my Buell motorcycles...it is the best part of my work commute! You just have to be a little more cautious of LEO once you cross into Gilpin County.