smart in the Winter?

[Old Panda]

So how many of you are planning to put up your smart cars for the winter? I won't have mine until March or April, so I'm hoping the weather won't be as cold by then.

I HATE WINTER! I'm going into hibernation until the weather warms up OR I get my smart, whichever comes first.

Big Panda OUT (really OUT!)

[jetfuel]

not us.......with an average snow fall of 27" for the season don't see the need to lock up the fun mobile.

jetfuel

[mvaldes]

The snow tires are already on mine.

[jwight]

No option - the smart is the winter car, will live outdoors and have to deal with it. Don't see any problem once my snow tire issue is resolved. BTW, the replacement car will have heated seats.

[chieftmc]

Big Panda,

I talked with T-bone (sold his smart since he needed a "bigger" car) and he used his smart all last winter with no problem! He said it handled great and did NOT install snow tires!

[shadowchameleon]

put smart up for the winter... oh hell no... I get mine December 12, 2008. It is crossing the Atlantic right now and will hit NYC 11/20 and Baltimore 11/22.

[driven2succeed]

Still wondering about the snow tire thing. Can someone speak English on this subject? Just the facts. I'll probably go to the Tire Rack since it is close to home.
What brand? What size? All the way around or just on the back? Anything else I need to tell them? THANKS!

[jwight]

Tire rack. Pirelli 190s. Stick to stock sizes. Snows on all four wheels.

Owners Manual, pg 208:

"Winter tires
Always use winter tires at temperatures
below 45°F (7°C) and whenever wintry road
conditions prevail. Not all M+S rated tires
provide special winter performance. Make
sure the tires you use show the mountain/
snowflake marking.on the tire sidewall.
These tires meet specific snow traction
performance requirements of the Rubber
Manufacturers Association (RMA) and the
Rubber Association of Canada (RAC) and have
been designed specifically for use in snow
conditions. Use of winter tires is the only way
to achieve the maximum effectiveness of the
ABS and ESP® in winter operation.
For safe handling, make sure that all mounted
winter tires are of the same make and have the
same tread design.
Always observe the speed rating of the winter
tires installed on your vehicle. If the maximum
speed for which your tires are rated is below
the speed rating of your vehicle, you must
place a notice to this effect where it will be
seen by the driver. Such notices are available
at your tire dealer or any authorized smart
center."

[driven2succeed]

Thanks! The snow flakes are flying tonight so I better get an appointment with them yet this week!