How are We Handling the Snow?

[tnt0604]

Klaatuu performed admirably this morning. Although I must say I need to get used to the rear wheel drive again.

[SharonRB]

Originally Posted by tnt0604

Klaatuu performed admirably this morning. Although I must say I need to get used to the rear wheel drive again.

LOL ** I was thinking about asking people today how they did in the snow if they've gotten their cars already. I still have my Lexus, so I had no problems, but when I pulled into the gas station where there was a ton of snow at the entrance and I had to go up an incline, I wondered if I would have been able to do it in the smart. I was almost afraid I wouldn't be able to do it in my Lexus, but now I'm a little concerned about the rear wheel drive in situations like that.

Most of the roads on my route to work weren't bad today ** I was surprised at how much plowing had been done already. Even our street, which usually doesn't get done first, was plowed already.

Did you have to go through much deep snow with your smart or up any inclines? If so, how did it handle?

I wish I'd hear from dealership already! When I called them last week they said they were going to call me this week.

[randyzimmer]

Well, it was 60 degrees a day ago and everything melted. Not all of it went down the drains and when it got cold again it formed an ice base.
Then, around 6pm an icy sleet started then the wind picked up and we woke up to 1/2"-3/4" of frozen ice with 2 inches of snow on top.
Schools are closed and unnecessary travel not recommended.
I'd rainX'd the windows in anticipation and so after idling 1/2 an hour with the defrost on full, the babycar was ready to go with just a small amount of scraping. (the defrost vents are above the wiper park position by the way).
The traction control light was going nuts but the car moved and stopped just fine. Unplowed streets (mine) slowed it down a bunch with ruts and hard snow to move, the trans shifted up into bog-mode but it kept going forward.
Along the way I saw a couple front-drivers rocking to get moving, wheels spinning like crazy.
Not a bad performance really.
rz

[ForFun]

You are the first upstate member I have seen besides myself. I will be taking delivery from your dealer in Buffalo. I have had a couple of communications with them and they seem pretty excited.
What was your rez number?

[BandSofC]

Originally Posted by SharonRB

Did you have to go through much deep snow with your smart or up any inclines? If so, how did it handle?

The very minor incline of my driveway has immobilized my 451 (with stock tires) after a couple of snowfalls. Only a few inches has done it in. I won't drive it in the snow again until I get some true snow tires next fall. The transmission makes normal, slow speed, snow driving skills useless.

Again I say: Why didn't smart just give us a clutch pedal?!!!

[randyzimmer]

Originally Posted by BandSofC

The very minor incline of my driveway has immobilized my 451 (with stock tires) ...

Backing up has been hard - traction control kicks in and the car stops, I also hit my knee against the shifter and it goes to N.
To back uphill I need to get a run at it.
Haven't been stuck going forward yet.

I'm an 1180.
rz

[4-2NV]

Originally Posted by randyzimmer

Backing up has been hard - traction control kicks in and the car stops, I also hit my knee against the shifter and it goes to N.
To back uphill I need to get a run at it.
Haven't been stuck going forward yet.

I'm an 1180.
rz

Same experience. Goes forward just fine in snow as the skinny front tires cut the snow and the wide rears follow, but backing into the snow and TC stops it dead when it hits snow resistance.