Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow

[ASmartMan]

Hey All

Well I got to take my Smart for a spin in 6 inches of snow today.

Much to my surprise it handled fine using the recommended snow tires. It had no problem getting traction on the snow, and when I tried to do an intentional fish tail:woohoo the traction control kicked in, when I locked up the brakes the ABS kicked in.

It is too early to tell (in the real deep stuff), but so far this car handles better than my Ford Ranger (2WD) in the snow, between the traction control and the ABS it seem to drive it’s self.

So for those in the snowy part of our country and have early confirmations, you may want to look in to getting a set of snow tires and steel rims for you Smart.

Time to shovel

ASM

[canon1753]

First- What are the tire sizes and what brand snowies are you using? I have 4 snowies on my Neon w/TC and it gets around fine, but I'm sure you'd need 4 snowies anyway. Plus, are the tire sizes the same for the 450s and 451s?

Thanks. Enjoy the snow!

[Brian7]

Awwwwesome!!!!

From a snowy and cruel Wisconsin winter.

:spots

[gmkid]

That is awesome.....it'll make my life easier !!

[RLove]

Snow? What's that?
The Smart's performance in the snow sounds impressive...maybe someday I'll get to see what it can do in a dusting - which will certainly paralyse this part of the country.

[SmartShanna]

Hooray! Sounds like nifty inclement weather handling. Now, as soon as that San Diego blizzard hits, I'll be ready

Good info. and test, ASmartMan!

[robotbill]

That sounds great. Please tell us what kind of tires and rims you recommend. These Alberta Clippers keep coming in and I'm not waiting for spring to drive this car.

[jwight]

ASM,

Any photos of the car in the snow?

[lessismore]

My wife's family in Bavaria note that their small cars, including SMARTs, do just fine in the Bavarian Alps during the winter. It just doesn't seem to be an issue for them, unlike folks in LA who drive an SUV year round because they might drive to Mammoth to go skiing once a winter.

[rgaus]

Hi Folks!

About a month ago, I discovered that there were only 4 Blizzak (Bridgestone/Firestone) snow tires in the US. They were all front wheel tires. After a number of attempts, I was able to speak to the Director of US Retail Sales and informed him of the nearly 1000 smart cars already on the road in the US. He was unaware. I asked him if he could work on bringing some more into the country for the potential requirements of those in northern states. He called me back a few days later and said there had been 24 fronts and 24 rear smart tires moved from Canada to their Chicago warehouse. It is my understanding that you can order these tires now at any Firestone or Bridgestone dealership. The Continental brand standard tires do not have a Continental snow tire available at this time. Hope this information is helpful. Good luck everybody.

Coincidentally, as I write this in St. Louis, we have about 3" to fall in the next few hours.

Ron Gaus, aSmartCar.com, St. Louis, Missouri