looking for advice about buying snow chain cable for front on my '17 ES350 with 215 55 17 tires.

am going to use maybe once a year as emergency option when we go to Tahoe.

I do not want to mess up my paint or wheel wells.

Am looking specifically for an individual who has actually used chains/cables .. what brand. how did they work out, etc.

not looking for advice on renting an SUV, putting on snow tires. etc. thanks

 

I used to use them when I lived in the Rockies, but it was many years ago. They're a royal pain to put on, and if you can avoid having to use them, do. But that's not possible in the high mountains sometimes. Make sure you take them off as soon as you're off the snow and down to bare pavement, or you'll tear up the road and potentially your tires too. I would not use cables. Chains work better and last longer. Konig is a good brand.

FYI, The Tahoe area has new regs and now in certain snow conditions they will require chains *and* 4WD/AWD, so your ES would be restricted from travel on those days. I know you said you didn't want advice on this, but if you will be in a situation where you have to travel on a given day and cannot delay for a day or so, you really should rent something with AWD so the cops don't turn you away.

 

In Philadelphia, the city puts chains on their police cars during very heavy snow as most of their cars are FWD. Others are AWD Explorers that don't require chains. I've seen some really bad body damage caused by these chains when they break and start to strike the wheel wells. Some emergencies require going faster than recommended and there they go...
For me, I wouldn't use chains on any of my personal cars being afraid of damage... I would rent an AWD/4WD car for travel into any area that would be questionable...