No going to the snow in a 162TSI :(

[IsDon]

Unfortunately VW Australia were hopeless. Kept referring me back to the manual but of course the manual doesn't have the specs for the Australian R-Line wheels and tyres. I had them checked by chain hire in Bright last time we were there. Said unlikely can fit to the front but rear shouldn't be a problem. So answer as far as I can ascertain is, if required to fit chains then use diamond pattern on the rear and drive cautiously. Whilst not the best solution, as far as I can read - it's legal for all resorts including Hotham.

Or just don’t go to Hotham.

Go to a ski field without these draconian rules with European chains that will fit.

[adioz]

The manual's very clear. There are only two wheel sizes "officially" suitable for chains... 17x7 or 17x6.5s. It also specifies the chain width, up to about 9mm chains for 17x7 and up to 13mm for 17x6.5 rims.


I knew this going in but, as you say, the dealer was hopeless. I persisted and they eventually got me a printout of the manual before I would sign. This is not just a VW Dealer issue though. All the dealers I visited, bar Merc, were clueless about chains for their vehicles.


I ended up swapping my 18x7 ET43 235/55R18s for Comfortline 17x7 ET40 215/65R17s allowings 9mm chains.


Change in rim offset from ET43 to ET40 gained 3mm clearance on the inside. The 215/65R17 tyres gave an extra 10mm clearance on the inside over the 235/55R18s.


So, I ended up with an additional 13mm of clearance.


I couldn't find 9mm chains but managed to get a set of discontinued 10mm Thule CS-10 Size 104 chains. I test fitted them and they had plenty of room.


They were also used without issue for a weeks stay at Hotham in August last year at the start of the big storm that closed the road from Harrietville for several days.

[dptiggie]

Has anyone here tried those other options - Norwegian AutoSock or Weissenfels Clack and Go (or any others) for their 162 R Line’s stock 20” wheels? (For mountains other than Hotham)

[FastMitch]

Has anyone here tried those other options - Norwegian AutoSock or Weissenfels Clack and Go (or any others) for their 162 R Line’s stock 20” wheels? (For mountains other than Hotham)

For the Tiguan Highline R-line 20", you need the 'Norwegian AutoSock HP 697'

It costs US $109.90 on Amazon USA

Do you know where to buy it in Oz ?

Here is a video on an Autosock install on a VW Golf in the snow: YouTube

[dptiggie]

For the Tiguan Highline R-line 20", you need the 'Norwegian AutoSock HP 697'

It costs US $109.90 on Amazon USA

Do you know where to buy it in Oz ?

Here is a video on an Autosock install on a VW Golf in the snow: YouTube

Thanks, checked out a bunch of videos on this one last night. Looks pretty nifty. Couldn’t find a video of someone fitting this onto a Tiguan (let alone R Line) or commentary where someone did so. But even if it’s a bit tricky to fit, got a pretty good sense that it would fit and works pretty well. Just doesn’t tolerate non-snow conditions (where it’s patchy).

[dptiggie]

Thanks, checked out a bunch of videos on this one last night. Looks pretty nifty. Couldn’t find a video of someone fitting this onto a Tiguan (let alone R Line) or commentary where someone did so. But even if it’s a bit tricky to fit, got a pretty good sense that it would fit and works pretty well. Just doesn’t tolerate non-snow conditions (where it’s patchy).

Did anyone end up trying these?


MY18.5 Tiguan 162TSI - R-Line/DAP/Sunroof in Indium Grey

[dptiggie]

For the Tiguan Highline R-line 20", you need the 'Norwegian AutoSock HP 697'

It costs US $109.90 on Amazon USA

Do you know where to buy it in Oz ?

I just realised I never got back on this - nope I haven’t found any other way to buy this in Oz. But I’m desperately searching for one now!

[LJ1981]

Ok boys I got R line with 20” wheels, what are the options with snow chains??

[PDMJO]

Ok boys I got R line with 20” wheels, what are the options with snow chains??

Go on the sunny days and don't stay over night

It's specified in the manual the max size you can fit chains on is a 225 tyre I think. Have a look at the earlier posts, I believe someone mentions it.

[Ozsko]

Or put different wheels on it. They do this all the time in Europe so the correct size wheels are known and sold by VW over there.