I’m from California. Among the MANY forms we signed during the sale was a form that confirmed that we are aware that as equipped, chains should not be used, but that other traction devices may work, and to check the manual. Of course, the manual does not discuss any alternate options, but confirms that my stock 165/80-18R Michelins should not use chains (as was shown in an earlier post in this thread).
Worth a mention... the person processing the paperwork (a finance guy, not sales or service tech) said something offhand like “this one says you can’t use chains, only cables”. I remember specifically he mentioned cables. But again, the manual doesn’t address cables or non-chain traction devices at all.
We travel to the Tahoe area multiple times a year, and yes, sometimes CHP requires chains/cables “or 4wd with snow tires”. In my experience, the CHP often waves anyone through with 4wd or AWD without confirming the "snow tire" part. But I have seen cars turned away, and I've been told once that I needed to pull over and put my chains on when driving an AWD RAV4 with "three-peak" mild-AT tires that were not true snow tires. I've never seen chains required on ALL vehicles, but I'm not living up there full-time. They most likely shut down the freeways before they get to that point. I agree with the posters commenting that my concern is more about icy conditions (especially on hills) than it is about basic snow capability.
All of that said, I don't entirely understand what the main concern is by Toyota. Our 2018 RAV has no restriction for chains (we have used them several times on that car with no issues), but that car definitely has LESS clearance space around the tires than the LC250 with the stock Michelins. We also have a 2024 RAV Prime that DOES have a chains restriction, but it has a much tighter wheel well so that made sense. But again, the LC250 has lots of space to spare in the wheel well comparitively.
Also, cables don't offer THAT much of a difference from chains in terms of clearance. Maybe a quarter inch? Half inch max. I guess Toyota is just trying to avoid liability and playing it safe, and I'm not looking to go against their recommendations without a good reason.
So here's my takeaway (you do you): I'm going to purchase a pair of snow cables and only use them if CHP says I must, or it gets icy enough that I really don't trust my non-snow-rated stock Michelins. My next set of tires will be three-peak-rated true AT tires and I'll still keep the cables on hand just in case.
