Northern weather - Smart Car of America Forums : Smart Car Forum

denise · 05-17-2009, 07:21 PM

I am looking at a Smart Car. I live in Minnesota. I need to be sure these will go in the snow and ice. I will always have a 4x4 as a backup.
I am also interested in the tires. Can you put larger tires,snow tires all around?

**jwight** · 05-17-2009, 07:27 PM

This will help get you started: DRIVING IN THE SNOW....How's it going?

Also lots of threads about fitting same size tires on all four corners in the Wheels & Tires forum.

forestacademy · 05-17-2009, 07:34 PM

Many folks get a set of 4 rear pure wheel and a set of snows for the winter. AS long as you don't go out in the worst of a blizard (not a good Idea in any vehicle) you should be fine.

As long as you keep the 4x4 as a back up for the first year you will feel better. But their is a good chance you will find you are only driving the 4x4 on guilt trips. That means those trips you make because you feel guilty about not driving it.

jetfuel · 05-17-2009, 08:06 PM

...ours stayed home only one time this winter...after 7-8" that was not plowed on my street and all the little car did was plane right above the snow...other than that it is a great car

jetfuel

**jimvw57** · 05-17-2009, 08:24 PM

Only had trouble once, ice with 7" of snow on top. If the roads are reasonably clear, and you drive it like a rear wheel drive car, you'll do fine. I never left it home and took the 4wd. If it was too bad out, I stayed home. The snow tires on all 4 wheels would have been a good deal a few times.