So, I'm curious... How is it in the snow?

[anthonype3]

All interesting comments but with so many Smart cars is Germany and all around Europe you have to wonder how do THEY get by in the winter?
It must not be that big a deal or why would people over there keep buying them.

[WhiteNBlack08]

Originally Posted by jefferios

I looked into the major tire companies, No company sells our stock tire sized in a SNOW version. so you would have to get new wheels and new tires to complete this task.

BTW Front Tires are $86, Backs are $103 each

WOW!!! where are you looking? Tire Rack has them for $61 & $78 each.

[blackbeagle]

Originally Posted by anthonype3

All interesting comments but with so many Smart cars is Germany and all around Europe you have to wonder how do THEY get by in the winter?
It must not be that big a deal or why would people over there keep buying them.

I've been to Germany but have never driven in the snow so I can't say. I don't know the snow conditions. I don't know the street conditions. I don't know the exact temperature in the winter. I don't know the speed they drive their Smarts.

I've driven in MN most of my adult life and I can tell you that I've driven with and without Blizzaks and the difference is absolutely night and day. Sure you can do without them but you have to have the road dictate your driving behavior. That means you slow down.

Tires like the Blizzaks sell themselves. Call it a $600 dollar safety feature that you have to renew every 3 years.

[tivoboy]

When I had my first smart, more than 10 years ago in Stuttgart I drove it in the snow during that first winter. DCX put snow tires on it for me as the fall turned to winter, and I lived at the top of a large hill. With the engine in the rear, and a couples tires in the boot the car made it to the top of the hill just fine. It was also quite competent going DOWN the hill which I didn't feel too confident in my CLK at the time.

On the roads, it was fine but a bit light. There just isn't enough WEIGHT to sink down in heavy snow and get real grip, but the snow tires made all the difference IMHO. Fortunately, the roads in Germany were cleared very quickly and in the slush and snow the car handled fine. Also, the heater worked great

[Ronin]

Remember that in Europe (mainland anyway) snow tires are not only suggested, they are REQUIRED by law. I see it every winter with my MINI, I slap my snows on in November and don't even think about them until spring. I drive normally and on the few days that there is standing snow on the ground I just try to not "snowplow" with the front end. I'm liking the design the smart front end in that respect...

Hey first post! Nice to be here

[ASmartMan]

Howdy

My 450 handles the snow rather well, here was my first snow storm My Smart and the snow

I believe the 450 and the 451 will handle the same in snow, OOHH and Snow tires are a MUST, but a little pricey.

Hope it helps

ASM

Originally Posted by DragonEye

I live in IL and I will be using the smart car as my primary vehicle. If I am it will be used in the winter time I need to know how the car handles in the winter time. I'd immagine well but i dont know. If anyone has any experience with it in the snow it would be a great help.

[sheureka]

Most of the folks from Canada on one of the other forums seem to think it handles just fine in the snow. They're all using Blizzaks though. - sheureka

[DragonEye]

concensus says... good if i have snow tires.... (namely blizzaks) lol

thanks guys. I'll be intrested if i pick one up before winter to do the tire change and go from there.