how does you car handle the snow? (live, safety)

[knitgirl]

I bought the car used and they put brand new tires on it at that time, about 20,000 miles ago, I'm sure they weren't the best tires ever. Since it seems from the comments that the tires would make a big difference, I will work towards that end. That will be a whole lot cheaper than a new car! Thanks

[jlawrence01]

Originally Posted by knitgirl

I bought the car used and they put brand new tires on it at that time, about 20,000 miles ago, I'm sure they weren't the best tires ever. Since it seems from the comments that the tires would make a big difference, I will work towards that end. That will be a whole lot cheaper than a new car! Thanks

I own an older beater. Every three winters, I put a new set of mid-range radials from Pep Boys on (not snow tires) and I have never had any problems.

In the past, I had used a higher quality, more expensive tire and kept it on until the treadlife was over and I was sliding several times a winter.

One more thing. A lot of problems would be avoided if people would limit their driving as much as possible during big storms - "the discretion is the better part of valor" argument.

[chet everett]

Originally Posted by jlawrence01

I own an older beater. Every three winters, I put a new set of mid-range radials from Pep Boys on (not snow tires) and I have never had any problems.

In the past, I had used a higher quality, more expensive tire and kept it on until the treadlife was over and I was sliding several times a winter.

One more thing. A lot of problems would be avoided if people would limit their driving as much as possible during big storms - "the discretion is the better part of valor" argument.

First I 100% agree that if people did not head out in conditions that they are familiar with it would MASSIVELY improve the situation for all, that is a great suggestion. It would really help A LOT on surface streets, where I know many of the people are just out shopping or doing other non-time sensitive stuff.

Second, I do think that discount auto retailers have a place in the world. The are generally a good option to be maintenance items (air filters, bottled oil, appearance items) and similar car care stuff.

I do not, however, recommend that people on such retailers for things like tires or shocks. The tires they sell tend NOT to be a good value at all, both in terms of quality or longevity, nor are they as adept at wet/snow handling as a tire from a major manufacturer. I suppose if you lived in the Sun Belt you'd be fine with that, but in my experience, when I tried to but cheap tires on my spare car, it was useless in rain / snow even with the brand new full depth tires.

Of course any tire is going to degrade in snow /wet traction as the tread wears down, and I would not expect a tire that still has useful "dry weather" treadlife to perform adequately in out climate. A lot depends on how many miles you put on in those three years, and how you drive, but I do not feel that there any secret values to be found through discount auto parts chains.

[purplesky]

I got my brakes cleaned on my saturn station wagon and it does make a little bit of difference. However, I was on my way to work at 5 am last Saturday, with the big snow we had, and I stopped, but the car went another 30 ft or so through the intersection at Golf and Rand Roads. It's a good thing no one was coming the other way. I was going about 30 mph then. I did have to slow down again and continue driving about 15 -20 mph to work.

I just find it ironic that my 94 Saturn with no ABS and no traction control, and a lighter car at that, never slid too much.

Is it true that weighing the car down in back will help?

[chet everett]

Originally Posted by purplesky

I got my brakes cleaned on my saturn station wagon and it does make a little bit of difference. However, I was on my way to work at 5 am last Saturday, with the big snow we had, and I stopped, but the car went another 30 ft or so through the intersection at Golf and Rand Roads. It's a good thing no one was coming the other way. I was going about 30 mph then. I did have to slow down again and continue driving about 15 -20 mph to work.

I just find it ironic that my 94 Saturn with no ABS and no traction control, and a lighter car at that, never slid too much.

Is it true that weighing the car down in back will help?

With ABS as longas the system can keep the car straight that is about as good as it gets GIVEN the conditions.

I don't think it is fair to compare past cars as the problem is likely NOT your car but the new "we are out of money for salt" policies of the road maintainers. From the State of Il, to the Counties, to the Townships, to the municipalities ALL these units are not getting enough melting chemicals out on the road!

I have noticed that the new "cheap skate" salting policies adopted by the various highway crews are FAR WORSE than anything that I have seen in the past. Without enough de0icing material the roads are flat out TOO SLICK.

Carrying around anything that wieghs enough to physically causes any normal car to "break through" the unsalted slippery roads is almost certain to waste a lot of gas and possibly damage your vehicle...

[emmi605]

My Honda-CRV is incredible in the snow. I see people sliding all over and I'm pretty steady. I also had good luck with any car that had front wheel drive.

[eastsiders]

We drive a Hyundai and Subaru WRX. The Suby handles the snow better than the Hyundai. Both handle very well because we both have snow tires and we both drive slow during bad weather.

[chet everett]

Lately I've been wanting to encourage folks to DRIVE AS FAST AS THEIR ENGINES ALLOW. Keep the acclerator pressed down to the floor board HARD.

Not so much becuase it is safer, but becuase I want them out of my way. I figure that if they go CRAZY fast they wil either "make it" or "buy the farm", either way, less folks on the road, more room on the road for me...

[driven4agoodlife]

I own two mustangs (rear wheel drive), one doesn't see winter and the other is my daily driver. I do just fine. I've lived in IL all of my life, and I think alot of it comes down to experience and common sense. No, mustangs aren't the best winter cars, but with some sand in the trunk, siped tires, and some common sense driving I do just fine and don't have any issues.

IL is pretty flat, I think you can pretty much drive anything and make it work!

A good set of tires always helps, and look into getting them "Safety Siped" it's about $11 a tire, and will really help in the winter.

[slv591]

i had a 99 honda accord and it hated the snow. I recently rolled it because of how much it hated the snow = ), and I am now in the market for a new car. I'm looking at the 06-07 civics, and i was wondering if anyone knows how they handle in snow, I live in rhode idland so we do get a fair amount of snow. If anyone knows that would be awesome, thanks.