Has anyonme done this?
The owners manual says in no uncertain terms to use them on the rear wheels only, so I am betting there is a good reason for Nissan to say that rather then "recommending" chains on the rears only.

Now they also "recommend" mineral oil, which to me doesn't really say you cannot use synthetic.

Does anyone know why we are not to use chains on the front?

Many tire retailers, and 4x4 web sites recommend chains on all 4's.

Would using a lower profile cable be ok on all 4's?

I think that there are clearance problems with regular chains in front. Not sure if cable chains would fit or not.

I use to run 4 chains on my Jeep with no problems.

Not much snow here in AZ so I haven't done it on the X yet.

as you turn the front wheels the clearence to the body gets pretty small.. put chains on there, and things can get pretty scary..
out back the clearences don't hardly change.. unless you are jumping your truck....

I understand the clearence issue, but is this exclusive to the Xterra, and only a few other vehicles.
Tire stores, and chain retailers always say to install chains on all wheels. Naturally it is in their interest to tell us this, but my Nissan, and wife's Hioonda do not allow chains on all wheels.
It seems you cant install chains on all wheels on too many vehicles.

I was just wondering if yuo really can't do it, or if it is just a cover thy butt statement.

you can, but if you cut the wheel and hit tha brakes to avoid some idiot sliding from a cross street, you are going to need new plastic, and maybe a little sheet metal around the front wheel weels.. Saturns don't allow chains/cables on the front.. and they are front wheel drive.. they have some funky mounting thing sticking out of the drive flanges, and a plastic thing with studs that pass for chains.. there is a lack of clearence between the tire & the struts..

Interesting info on the saturns.
What about a product like the Super Z8 from SCC chain company?

http://www.scc-chain.com/Traction%20Pages/Trac_SZ8.html

It exceeds the class s requirement. Would this be safe on the front axle?

I guess it's best to follow the owner's manual.

Looks like studded tires may be a solution.

Here is one other thought. On our Accord, the manual says chains on the front. Why not the back then, if there is no change in clearence?

I doubt if chains on the rear wheels of a front wheel drive car would help anything.

you put chains on the drive tires.. the other tires will spin no matter how bad the traction is.. IE you chain the rear on a rwd truck, and the front will turn when you move.. some people want to chain the front so they have better traction to turn & stop. If you need better traction up front for that, drove slower, or get off the road.. Others usually won't have any more traction then you, often less.. so you can stop, they drive up your butt!!!!!

I must clarify. Yes of course you chain up the drive tires. Chaining only the rear axle on a fwd will do nothing. Lol.

What I meant was......on the xterra chaining the rear axle is fine because of lot's of clearance.

No chains on the front because of limited clearance when turing etc.

So, if you can chain up the front axle of the honda fwd, then why not the rear also? Sould be more space on the back wheels.

Chains on all 4 is the best choice if it were allowed.

Do I make sense now? I have a hard time trying to put into words what i mean on some days

Funny, my manual says chains on the rea axle only, but the online manuals say you can use chains with no mention of one axle only.

Just go outside, and lookat your wheel wells.

Tun the tires full lock in both dirctions, and at full lock each time, see how much room you have...so if you had something sticking out like a chain or cable...what would it hit?

Nothing? - Chain at will.

Something you don't feel like chain sawing off? - Don't chain it.

when you do that, put one tire on the curb, turn it lock to lock, checking for clearence.. then repeat with the other tire (front only)
You will find it tighter on the rear of the drivers, and front of the pass tire..
check tire tread to mud flap/fender flare, and tire inner sidewall to lower a-arm. mostly at the large nut on the outboard end of the front tbar anchor. With just 33x12.50 tires both of my anchor nuts are shiny.. chains or cables would hune hung up, and broke stuff, like abs wires or brake lines...