So how is it in the snow?

[LorbeerTLC]

Originally Posted by PlainCityVWBug

So how much a difference in the snow is there between the Smart Fortwo and you're '99 Bug. Your post particularly caught my attention because I drive a '98 Bug everyday and I am very curious at the differences in the snow the Bug has vs. what the Smart has. Your response will carry a huge weight in my decision on my future car purchase.

PlainCityVWBug,
I had a 1967 VW Beetle back in 1975. After I got my smart in March of this year, I drove it through about 6" of snow. I thought the characteristics were similar in traction due to the weight over the drive wheels (rear engine/rear-wheel drive). But that’s about where the similarity ends. Where the Beetle oversteered, the safety stuff prevents that from happening on the smart fortwo. In fact, I tried to go around a corner fast in snow and it understeered! All things being equal, I think the fortwo (with factory equipped tires), handles better through snow than the average two-wheel drive car. I know my Beetle did better in snow driving uphill over front-wheel drive cars as the weight was more focused in the rear. If we have a significant snowfall in the north end of Puget Sound this winter season, I’ll find out if this holds true for the fortwo.
Regards,

-Tom L.
...of course after posting this I realize now the new Beetle is front-engine/FWD. "Doh!"

[PlainCityVWBug]

Thanks. That is interesting information about your original Beetle vs. the Smart and it sounds to me like the Smart is quite good in the snow (hope I'm right!), but you are right, the New Beetle is a front engine/front wheel drive vehicle which means it handles much differently than the original Beetle does.

I am very curious as to differences in snow the New Beetle has vs. the Smart, and if matters, my New Beetle is automatic transmission.

[wildman]

My new beetle was a 99 2.0 auto, and it didn't do worth a crap in snow, and that was with 4 snow and ice tires on it. Was ok if it was really light snow, but anything over 4" it was helpless, especially trying to go up my driveway. My wife's had a PT Cruiser, and it would go right up, with street tires.

[WhiteNBlack08]

I got out in some nasty stuff last night. Not deep, but it had been snowing most of the day, cooled down and froze, then more snow on top. The smart did very well, abs, esp, all kicked in and worked flawlessly. Two notes though, if you are used to fwd as I am (last 4 years) you do need to remember this is a rwd vehicle. It won't pull you through turns. I realized this last night when I made a slow turn downhill, and the front started to slide. as soon as I let off the brakes, it went right where I wanted it too. Also, for all those who have commented about removing fuse 11, I can already see that this car would be a handful in the winter without the active safety features, my advise, let you car be "smart". Also, the active safety features can give you a false sense of security about how bad conditions are. If you step on it, the car will accelerate as fast as the system will let it. If your orange triangle is flashing...BACK OFF AND SLOW DOWN. Conditions are worse than you think. You can very easily overdrive the conditions inthis car. Remember active safety features or not, you can't change the laws of physics. A body in motion tends to stay in motion.... Enjoy your smart and all of its many features, but don't drive stupid.

[Docthrock]

When I'm talking about removing the fuse, I'm just talking about PLAYING. I'm not talking about running around that way out on the road.

When I was a kid, we had a Super Beetle. RWD, lousy heater, but FUN to throw around in the snow. I'd go to the high school parking lot after hours or on the weekend when NO ONE was around and NO CARS on the lot. Then, I'd throw the car into donuts and spin around. It sounds stupid, and it probably was. But you get a really good feel for how a car is going to handle if you do it as a trial under controlled conditions.

[WhiteNBlack08]

I figured that was what you meant, I hope you didn't take my stupid comment personally. I was listening to the radio this morning, and there had been 20 accidents since last night because people around here seem to forget how to drive in snow from year to year. I still don't understand how people can live around here all their life and still forget how to drive in snow. I just know there are a lot of stupid drivers around here. I don't feel sorry for them one bit when they get in an accident, although I do feel sorry for the innocent people they involve in their stupidity.

[bigcritter]

Originally Posted by WhiteNBlack08

I got out in some nasty stuff last night. Not deep, but it had been snowing most of the day, cooled down and froze, then more snow on top. The smart did very well, abs, esp, all kicked in and worked flawlessly. Two notes though, if you are used to fwd as I am (last 4 years) you do need to remember this is a rwd vehicle. It won't pull you through turns. I realized this last night when I made a slow turn downhill, and the front started to slide. as soon as I let off the brakes, it went right where I wanted it too. Also, for all those who have commented about removing fuse 11, I can already see that this car would be a handful in the winter without the active safety features, my advise, let you car be "smart". Also, the active safety features can give you a false sense of security about how bad conditions are. If you step on it, the car will accelerate as fast as the system will let it. If your orange triangle is flashing...BACK OFF AND SLOW DOWN. Conditions are worse than you think. You can very easily overdrive the conditions inthis car. Remember active safety features or not, you can't change the laws of physics. A body in motion tends to stay in motion.... Enjoy your smart and all of its many features, but don't drive stupid.

Very good information. Just the kind of information that I was looking for in this thread. I SO agree with your comment about the "laws of physics!" Had someone crash into me a few years ago on the interstate "ice skating rink" because the laws of physics didn't apply to them. A "body in motion tends to STAY in motion" until it crashes into the side of my camper van...... then it comes to rest! :>( If only we could make some folks with 4-wheel drive vehicles understand that when the surface is SOLID ICE, then you have 4 rubber contact points sliding down the roadway instead of just 2! :>) My question on the smart (finally) is whether, on a slick surface, the ESP will actually prevent the car from moving? Is it that aggressive? With the stock tires, I'm wondering in any area where snow is usually about 1 or 2 weeks out of the entire winter (e.g. Washington state), I would still need to invest in snow tires in order to be able to keep moving during those RARE occasions? Thoughts, anyone?

[jwight]

Smart+Snow=NoGo

Winter driving with stock tires

Hope these help.

[bigcritter]

Originally Posted by jwight

Smart+Snow=NoGo

Winter driving with stock tires

Hope these help.

Thanks! Already checked those links out! Actually, the Autosocks look pretty impressive for those rare snow days that we have here in the Puget Sound region of Washington! :>)

[scdaf]

Originally Posted by bigcritter

Very good information. Just the kind of information that I was looking for in this thread. I SO agree with your comment about the "laws of physics!" Had someone crash into me a few years ago on the interstate "ice skating rink" because the laws of physics didn't apply to them. A "body in motion tends to STAY in motion" until it crashes into the side of my camper van...... then it comes to rest! :>( If only we could make some folks with 4-wheel drive vehicles understand that when the surface is SOLID ICE, then you have 4 rubber contact points sliding down the roadway instead of just 2! :>) My question on the smart (finally) is whether, on a slick surface, the ESP will actually prevent the car from moving? Is it that aggressive? With the stock tires, I'm wondering in any area where snow is usually about 1 or 2 weeks out of the entire winter (e.g. Washington state), I would still need to invest in snow tires in order to be able to keep moving during those RARE occasions? Thoughts, anyone?

You seem to have forgotten the other 2/3 of Wasington state, where it's common to have snow on the ground for 3-4 months.

Don't feel too bad, the legislature doesn't pay much attention to us either...