DRIVING IN THE SNOW....How's it going?

[Thru the Eyes of Ruby]

Ruby and I had an interesting drive to work this morning. We're in Philly, and we really haven't had much snow to deal with (thankgod!). This morning there was tons of black ice, and in case you wondered, this car (a passion with stock tires) bears no relation to Danny Briere (the Phila Flyers Center). I was all over the place. I tried to take turns super-slow and give myself plenty of time to stop, but when I got to the gym, and turned into a parking space, i slid out and almost hit a parked car. I had a few other close calls along the way too.

[kannonvaggon]

We are west of Chicago with PLENTY of ice and snow this year already. The Cabrio does fairly decently on the snow actually. Not great, but pretty fair. I'm used to driving an AWD Benz SUV with snow tires.... so I'm a bit spoiled cuz that thing is a tank.

The Smart with factory tires goes as good as most little cars. The ESP is a tad on the touchy side, but also it makes the car fairly sedate and "safe" for my wife to drive on the slick stuff. It ain't exactly a snow plow, but does pretty well. It does NOT tend to stick it's tail out at all. The ABS isn't too bad and the steering control is pretty good.

The heater, defroster and heated seats in our Cabrio seem to work VERY well and the car heats up nice and keeps the windows clean even well below zero. It has started easily every time, but of course wants a moment to warm up when it's real cold out.

I think a set of real snow tires would make this car handle snow MUCH better. The control on the car is not all that bad.... but the tires leave something to be desired in winter weather. They are a compromise that will work OK for most folks but if yer having to bust drifts and stuff I'd get some real tires or at least some chains.

YMMV

[martek@wcnet.org]

Had to use the Smart this week due to my Wranglers battery giving out and I could not get a new one until today. The Smart did ok, but I slid a lot in this ice and my hubby reminded me I could have put it into manual and I would have had more control instead of the car wanting to take off in drive. Nice that we have that option.

[unicycle]

I drove my Cheewawa in the snow yesterday and the day before -- no real difficulties. In fact, it did a lot better than my wife's Honda Odyssey. But when I tried driving on the melting ice covering my dirt road today, the car swerved a few times and eventually got caught after drifting off the road and into the brush. I was eventually able to dig her out of the ice and snow.

I'd say that snow tires would have done much better, but I'm really looking forward to the Autosock that I ordered later this afternoon.

[paecific]

Central Iowa,
We have had 16" of snow in the last two week. Except for the actual day of heavy snow I have driven my car every day, and ventruing into deeper snow every time. The traction control is spectacular. A slight twitch to the right and then we are engaged and moving forward. I have even taken into a large parking lot and intentionally tried to fishtail the car. Not an easy task. I am running stock tire because all of the snow tire were gone. I have had my Smart since March of 08 and have 15,000 miles on it. I do find the heater is a challange to keep the windows clear but travelling in snow is better than expected. I thing on of the fun parts is putting the car in manual mode and gassing it when leaving a stop light when the person behind you pulls to close. Because the rear tires are the rear bumper, and when the snow is wet and slussy you can deliver them a winshield full of snow.

Love my Smart

[MinnySmart]

I live in Minneapolis, and we've had 2-5 inches of snow seemingly every other day for the past couple weeks. The first weekend we got snow, the next morning I hopped in the little guy and headed on over to Home Depot. Turning off of my street, I floored it hoping to fish-tail... it did for a bit, but then the stability control kicked in and sent me straight forward... great, except that straight forward at that point was diagonally across the street right into the curb. No worries, I thought... just hit the brakes! um, no. Don't! steer out of harms way THEN brake. ABS was designed to help you continue to brake AND steer at the same time, but these narrow tires have so little grip in that situation, that you can't steer. So, into the curb I went, and now have a tiny flat spot on my driver's side front rim. Bummer! Still holds air, and doesn't seem to wobble much, but I'm worried that I may have done hidden damage. We'll see.

However, after that experience, I've taken the time to get to know how it handles the snow. It really does very well. the traction control takes care of things if you don't want to. However, you eventually learn to lay off the gas a little to minimize the flashing yellow triangle on the dash. Two things it doesn't do well with is hard breaking in snow, and getting over snow plow banks. I got stuck in one in a parking lot. I could have eventually gotten out, but my buddy got out and nudged the car forward and we were off and rollin'.

So, would I like snow tires? Yes. Do I think they're necessary? No. Will I drive it up to the U.P. of MI this winter to see my Dad? probably not. Maybe some day, but probably will wait for summer.

Still love my car after 13000 miles! Only trouble I've had with it is the blower fan has gotten stuck a couple times and stops blowing. then the next day it's fine again. And the occasional sensation of hesitation from the drive train. Not sure what that's about, but another local guy here has said he has felt the same thing. Could be the blue/silver paint scheme we both have, not sure.

[tpants]

Pirelli wintersport 190s front and rear. Fronts 145-60/15, rears 175-55/15. Most fun in the snow since my 82 rabbit. Passing Subarus like standing still. Just wish I could disable the stability control or atleast back it off a little. After getting car sideways it cuts the motor (timing and injection I'm guessing) and if I don't down shift quickly enough it bogs coming out of corners. No rally fun!!!

My real concern is mudseason, which here in Vermont is usually 3 weeks or more!

[MrVvrroomm]

I live near Minneapolis. I've been driving mine almost daily. The only exceptions are when the forecast is for lots of snow. I have the stock rubber on it and I know better.

I have an awd Subaru with dedicated snow tires, manual transmission and a turbo. It does NOT get any better than that here in Minnesota.

[tpants]

Am having difficulty with icing of the windows on the inside. Car is sealed up so well that and moisture brought into car stays inside and becomes frost over night. Front defrost takes awhile to get going. Any one with ideas? Anyone try rain-x anti fog?

[jwight]

63 degrees here today - winter tires aren't getting much of a workout.