Winter driving question

[Demo24]

Consensus is that I would be fine with it in TN with summer tires, one of the people I've been talking to has a 335i with the sport pack and didn't have any problems driving around there. I've I do end up in Chicago though I'll probably end up with something AWD, most likely the Jeep GC or an AWD Fusion sport. I've driven my Jetta TDI in the snow a few times with chains on the front so I kinda know what i'm doing, but having a few inches on the ground is a little different than driving during a blizzard, lol.

Sure, if you don't go anywhere. If we get another set of storms like we did this year then you'll be shit out of luck. I was about the only thing moving out there when we got several inches, the biggest problem is that out here it all often turns to ice underneath. Also summer tires just suck in cold but dry temps. I tend to run mine mostly year round (I switch them out in late December for a trip north, and this year ran them longer for snow fall) but I can generally get around it being awd. However I can very easily get the car to slide around at those temps where in summer it won't budge.

 

[Aikouka]

Driving in snow in the south (i.e. Tennessee) is practically something you never have to worry about. Not because it doesn't snow down here... it certainly does, but pretty much everyone gives up the moment they see an inch of snow .

I used to live out in rural Pennsylvania, which wasn't much fun because the township only had maybe two or three plows. The first day I got my Altima, I had to drive home in a nasty white-out with 6"+ of unplowed snow on the road. I felt quite bummed when I realized I traded in my car that had snow tires on it for a car with all-seasons... especially when it took 20 minutes to get up a hill .

But anyway... the point is, southerners can't drive in snow for crap, so it's a non-issue. I don't even go out in the snow around here, because people drive so damned slow in it. Last time we had some snow and ice, it would have taken me around an hour and a half to get to work at the wonderful speed of 5 mph. I turned around and went back home at around 25mph without a problem (a little slipping here and there, but nothing serious). So yeah... my car still has all-seasons ( albeit it's FWD ).

 

[jlee]

My good friend has an 05 STI that I've driven and ridden in a few times so I've got plenty of experience with them. I just think they are not the prettiest things on the road combined with the ridiculous insurance premiums is not worth it for me. I prefer American/German cars as well, which is most of the sticking point.

Consensus is that I would be fine with it in TN with summer tires, one of the people I've been talking to has a 335i with the sport pack and didn't have any problems driving around there. I've I do end up in Chicago though I'll probably end up with something AWD, most likely the Jeep GC or an AWD Fusion sport. I've driven my Jetta TDI in the snow a few times with chains on the front so I kinda know what i'm doing, but having a few inches on the ground is a little different than driving during a blizzard, lol.

I just really really really want a Mustang TBH.

Insurance on my Forester is cheep. Yay grannywagons! :awe:

If you want a Mustang that bad, just get one...budget for some quality snow tires and you'll manage.

 

[SandEagle]

don't do it. I sold my CLK V8 RWD because it handled like shit in the winter. quite scary actually that the car would lose control with even a quarter in snow. i kept a couple hundred pounds of sand in the trunk too, but that didnt help.

 

[IcePickFreak]

Well looks like I got my answer. 900 for a set is a little steep, but I'll pay for it if its worth it.

You have to consider though that you're not putting miles on your summer tires when you're running the winter set, so the over-all cost is offset a bit over time - ie. instead of getting 1 year out of your 'performance' tires, you'll get 2 summers out of them. The bonus being that then you can go all out for summer tires since they'll only be used in warm temps.

I paid around $1400 iirc for my winter setup 2 winters ago and they are worth every penny, and they easily have another 1-2 winters worth of tread left on em.

 

[PhoKingGuy]

Insurance on my Forester is cheep. Yay grannywagons! :awe:

If you want a Mustang that bad, just get one...budget for some quality snow tires and you'll manage.

I'll be leasing so the only thing I'd be interested in is a WRX, I think the new Impreza is dead ugly so i'm stuck there.

 

[PhoKingGuy]

You have to consider though that you're not putting miles on your summer tires when you're running the winter set, so the over-all cost is offset a bit over time - ie. instead of getting 1 year out of your 'performance' tires, you'll get 2 summers out of them. The bonus being that then you can go all out for summer tires since they'll only be used in warm temps.

I paid around $1400 iirc for my winter setup 2 winters ago and they are worth every penny, and they easily have another 1-2 winters worth of tread left on em.

True, the article posted earlier had them driving in like 6 inches and it was fine with the snows. Its not like i'm going to be driving on unplowed roads so I think I should be fine.

My friend in Minneapolis drive year round with all seasons on her Mazda3, I guess with snows+sand in the truck itll be ok.

 

[coxmaster]

Get a Golf .:R when (if?) they get to America...

 

[Zap]

My good friend has an 05 STI that I've driven and ridden in a few times so I've got plenty of experience with them. I just think they are not the prettiest things on the road combined with the ridiculous insurance premiums is not worth it for me.

My wife's insurance on the WRX was about the same as on her Mazda 3s. Of course beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I actually like the rounded look of the new ones better than the angular looks of the older ones.

I just really really really want a Mustang TBH.

Then go for it! I wouldn't get a Mustang here in Wisconsin, but I used to have a Mustang GT back in SoCal. Oh, the trouble I got into... :biggrin:

don't do it. I sold my CLK V8 RWD because it handled like shit in the winter. quite scary actually that the car would lose control with even a quarter in snow. i kept a couple hundred pounds of sand in the trunk too, but that didnt help.

What kind of tires? Handling in the snow is 100% tires and driving slower. FWD/RWD/AWD just affects the acceleration and has little to do with cornering/braking in snow.

You have to consider though that you're not putting miles on your summer tires when you're running the winter set, so the over-all cost is offset a bit over time - ie. instead of getting 1 year out of your 'performance' tires, you'll get 2 summers out of them. The bonus being that then you can go all out for summer tires since they'll only be used in warm temps.

Yup. Also, snow tires are usually cheaper than good Summer tires, so you're actually saving some money.

My friend in Minneapolis drive year round with all seasons on her Mazda3, I guess with snows+sand in the truck itll be ok.

We've done that before. All-seasons can be decent when they're new, but worn tires aren't too fun to drive on.

 

[thescreensavers]

the 2012 will have traction control so it should be ok.

But if you cant move from a stop turn it off, once you start moving turn it on.

 

[Smoove910]

How stupid would I be to get a high HP manual transmission RWD coupe for winter driving?

Pretty damned stupid...

I just think they are not the prettiest things on the road combined with the ridiculous insurance premiums is not worth it for me.

Wait until you wreck that pretty new car, then your premiums go up again...

Just no. You will be a hazard to yourself and other people on the road.

+1


In case you are wondering, I have 20+ years of driving experience in the frigid winters of Idaho. As previously stated RWD is doable, but FWD is the way to go. Much easier to get pulled through the snow than pushed.

Either way, it's your doing.... but I totally expect another thread by you asking for advise when you rear-end someone on slick roads.

Good Luck!

 

[jlee]

Pretty damned stupid...




Wait until you wreck that pretty new car, then your premiums go up again...




+1


In case you are wondering, I have 20+ years of driving experience in the frigid winters of Idaho. As previously stated RWD is doable, but FWD is the way to go. Much easier to get pulled through the snow than pushed.

Either way, it's your doing.... but I totally expect another thread by you asking for advise when you rear-end someone on slick roads.

Good Luck!

20+ years of winter driving and you haven't yet realized that the drivetrain has nothing to do with your ability to stop?

 

[SandEagle]

....


What kind of tires? Handling in the snow is 100% tires and driving slower. FWD/RWD/AWD just affects the acceleration and has little to do with cornering/braking in snow.



.....

they were performance michellin pilots.. definitely not winter tires. even low acceleration caused the car to lose control......but maybe you're right..shouldve tried winter tires. oh well, its gone now

 

[JulesMaximus]

One of the best cars I've ever driven in the snow was a SAAB. Near 50/50 weight distribution, FWD, manual transmission, heated seats. That car would go through anything except muddy trails.

 

[JCH13]

I survived a few years of NH winters and several trips to Canada (think snow-covered switch-backs) with a Crown Vic on nice winter tires, it's very doable. I'd definitely get a LSD on whatever car your get (RWD, FWD, whatever)

4) Learn to use the gears for engine braking or reducing the amount of torque when launching.

Engine braking is silly in the winter because it is unbalanced braking, but it's definitely nice when you're going down a long hill. With a RWD drive car engine braking will only brake the rear wheels, which makes cars like to over-steer, and over-steer on snow and ice makes your day go badly.

Also, I've always found automatic transmissions to be the best in snow, especially when you need to ease out VERY slowly, it's a lot easier to let the torque converter slip and merely control brakes/throttle than try to slip out clutch as slowly as you'd want to in some situations.

 

[exar333]

Get good snow tires and you will be fine. As others have said, give yourself more time to do EVERYTHING (accelerate, slow down, turn, etc). After a little while you will adapt and drive just fine in the snow, it is not that tough TBH.

As 'thescreensavers' said, use your TC selectively. I always disable it when I am driving around residential areas or if you need to stop/go regularly. Turn it back on when crusing. I know this is pretty well known, but avoid cruise-control as much as possible in the winter. That is a common reason many people slide off the interstate in the winter.

 

[Smoove910]

20+ years of winter driving and you haven't yet realized that the drivetrain has nothing to do with your ability to stop?

Hmmm, don't recall saying anything about the drivetrain and the ability to stop... maybe you should re-read my thread on the toilet so it can marinate in your head a little. (My best thinking is done there).

Either way, the biggest issue OP will have is not only how his car handles, but his ability to see what the people around him and their 'potential' wrecking potential will be. I've seen way too many Californian's move to Idaho with the thought in their head that they can drive 70 mph on the freeway during icy conditions because they have a 4-wheel drive. Little do they know the only difference is it's 4 wheels spinning instead of two. I just wave the finger and honk while I drive by when they have slid off the road.

Make you happy JLee, I DO understand it's not the drivetrain. Although the drivetrain will help you if you know WTH you are doing.

What helps you stop is no ice! Having 6" of fresh snow actually HELPS you to stop. But if you travel on the same road after the commuting has happened and it's been packed into a sheet of ice. (Not so fun, regardless of the car you drive). Another piece of advise... brakes are a bad thing when driving in Winter conditions...