But I also know if I had snow tiers it would do better.
I like to know from others out there in Smart Land what you are doing regarding the Ice and Snow.
Chains can be used too but no idea where to get them.
My First year we went with the stock Tires because they were new. This year I chose to spend the money on Blizzaks and am glad I did. The little sucker does real good, and with the Blizzaks I don't get the "nogo" attitude it would give with the stock tires. If the wheels slip the traction control will cut power, thus slowing you down. If this happens enough the car just will not be able to get up enough speed to get out of first gear.
With the snow tires I'm able to accelerate without a problem. It still can't help you if you get High centered. If it's to deep then the tires just don't make contact with the road anymore and nothing will help you then.
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Edit, I just noticed you have a 450 not a newer 451. I don't know if you have the same traction control on yours. Someone else will have to address that.
Last edited by forestacademy; 12-15-2009 at 11:31 AM.
In most conditions the smart is very good on snow and Ice. The combination of rear engine and rear wheel drive has an advantage over front wheel drive when driving up a snow covered incline. If you are looking for approved snow chains, smart offers a set designed for use on the rear 175/55R55 tire only. (sorry BRABUS owners)
Limitations include not driving over 30mph. Call your local smart center for price.
Don't usually see a lot of snow here in the south, but we did get a couple of inches a few weeks back. I had to roam up into the mountains to find ice and snow covered roads, but I must say that I'm quite impressed at my smart's ability to handle those conditions (without snow tires mind you).
The best thing of all? Finding a Chevy Silverado ever so slightly stuck by the roadside. Being crazy as I am I hooked up a chain to my towbar and with a little work and sand under my tires was able to give the guy enough gusto to get out. I wish I had a video of that!
Don't usually see a lot of snow here in the south, but we did get a couple of inches a few weeks back. I had to roam up into the mountains to find ice and snow covered roads, but I must say that I'm quite impressed at my smart's ability to handle those conditions (without snow tires mind you).
The best thing of all? Finding a Chevy Silverado ever so slightly stuck by the roadside. Being crazy as I am I hooked up a chain to my towbar and with a little work and sand under my tires was able to give the guy enough gusto to get out. I wish I had a video of that!
My 451 has done well with the Pirelli snows, but we rarely get more than 6 inches around here. FWIW, some members have reported good results with autosocks as an alternative to chains. Autosock ...brings you home!
I live in Colorado between a few major ski resorts. The Pirelli tires work great and I have Autosocks as a backup (used them once). My '03 Tundra has barely been driven so fat this season, and that was only for trips to the lumberyard. All in all, it's waaaay better than the '69 California Bug or '74 Saab 99 I drove in the mid-'80s in Idaho winters. If you have driven a Bug in the snow and have not packed it into a snowbank, this car is a breeze.
One guy asked me if it was OK in winter, and I replied, "it's European. They have winter in Europe."
The challenge is not looking smug when you pull up to some SUV in a ditch and asking if they need help.
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