Removing skirts

[malachev]

I just bought a pair of the new Alpine Tire chains and I"m so happy with their traction that I'm thinking about buying a second set for the rear wheels.

My question is: are there any driving/safety issues with leaving the rear skirts off (yes it'll look funny, but having metal on all four tires is the best for driving down snowy Sierran mountain roads). I don't want to invest in studded snow tires because I live below the snowline and only travel into the snow country to go skiing.

85K 56.4mpg lifetime

Clint

[Insightful Trekker]

None

Go for it.

[malachev]

I've driven through some gnarly storms and down some really icy roads. Nothing like having metal on all four tires when its snowing 2" an hour and the 4 wheel drive vehicle are sliding off the road. Also I've broken a couple of chains, so having a backup was really nice. I've been using Blizzak's the last two winters, but they have their limits.

[MN Driver]

They are there for the fuel economy, you might lose some MPGs, but driving in the snow and up and down mountains will have more of an impact than aerodynamic resistance and if I was dealing with mountains, I'd probably decide to do what you are planning to do.

Are they easy to take off and put back on? I haven't done had to pull mine off yet, do they just yank off or do you use a tool? I'm assuming you are pulling them off to put the chains on and then putting them back on when you remove them.

[ac7ss]

Originally Posted by MN Driver

Are they easy to take off and put back on? I haven't done had to pull mine off yet, do they just yank off or do you use a tool? I'm assuming you are pulling them off to put the chains on and then putting them back on when you remove them.

They are easy to get off, a flat blade screwdriver, turn the 2 locking screws counterclockwise and they come right off. Don't lose the screws, mine weren't attached to the skirt.

Putting them back on, I had some trouble, you have to hold the clip and turn the screw until the top is snug without pushing in on the skirt or letting it fall down off the tabs at the top. I was afraid of losing one as it would not latch into place fully.

[MN Driver]

I took a look through the manual and saw that there were the two screws along the bottom on each side that faced outwards. The manual made them look like you unscrew them from the inside but it wasn't until I looked at them from the outside of the car that it seemed like you actually unscrew them from the outside of the wheel well. Seems easy enough.

[RobertSmalls]

The tire iron that comes with the Insight has a blade on the end that's good for prying the wheel center caps off, and for removing those screws.

Those screws are $15/ea. Don't lose them.