[Perferator]

Originally Posted by Apollonewton

Thank you all the replies. Your inputs are greatly appreciated

To clarify my situation, I will be living/working in the CANTON/Livonia area. A bit away from Detroit, but not too far.

Piece-a-cake

Now, unless you are living in northern, "buckle of the snowbelt" areas and driving alone on remote rural roads that are at any time drifted you will be just fine.

(we are a 2-jeep family just because we used to live in a very difficult area during winters)

[darstar]

Originally Posted by Apollonewton

Thank you all the replies. Your inputs are greatly appreciated

To clarify my situation, I will be living/working in the CANTON/Livonia area. A bit away from Detroit, but not too far.

I really don't want to trade in my cars unless I have to. So after reading this post, I think this is my solution.

1. Get snow tires for both cars and put them on during the winter. By which month should I already have them on? I heard the winter is 8 months long? geezzz... Why am I leaving Miami?

2. Put sand bags in the trunks of both cars. Exactly how many bags? One or two? four?

3. Anything special I must do to my car? I got a new battery, that's about it. I'm planning on changing the fluids and adding antifreeze to the car. Can't think of much more.

Yep, i'm clueless with Michigan and its snow. But i'm looking forward to living there tho.

Thank you.

Your cars will be just fine. One or 2 sand bags are great, and you may use them on your drive way for Ice... Most people just drive too fast that come up from the South, in winter on snow , but its the ice that gets them....Slow down when conditions are bad and you will be fine. I recommend snow tires anywhere there is ice and snow. All weather tires are worse than" street tires " , they do not put down a good foot print and are not siped. Its the siping that saves you on ice....helps you stop , that's important, you will find out soon enough. And yes,they are mostly for Ice in your area, but ARE a safety factor. You may have a hard time finding them around Detroit., keep looking. You don't absolutely need them , but I think you should get them, not being from the area. Enjoy the weather, it changes all the time, that's whats nice about Michigan.....however you will be right at home with the summer humidity the SE MI. area gets....I can't stand it , but , that's one of the reasons I left Florida so long ago....

[MI-Roger]

MIAMI??

Boy, are you going to have fun during the winter.

I had a co-worker years ago who was born in Miami but relocated to the Detroit area for college followed by employment. He wore a down vest all year long while in Michigan.

Our oldest son attended "The U" for their Music Engineering program and absolutely loved Miami, especially South Beach. We were back there last June for his wedding which was held on a yacht in Miami harbor. Gorgeous!

Remember how your glasses will fog over with condensation when stepping outdoors in the Miami summer weather? They will do the same thing here, except it happens when you step indoors during the winter.

BTW - this same son drove a small SUV with rear wheel drive only, shod with wide performance tires, and never really had any problems with our winter roads when he drove back North each Christmas for the Holidays.

[UKUKUK]

I've not seen it yet... So... I'll be the first I think!

Sell 'em both. You're moving to Detroit, buy a Ford!

[LivoniaMi]

You'll be perfectly fine. I live in Livonia. I have a Dodge Magnum rear wheel drive. No problems ever. Before four wheel drives, people lived for decades with 2 wheel drive with no issues. Don't worry. Besides, we really don't get as much snow as some folks think we do. And when we do, it's cleared fairly quickly. Now, potholes......there's the REAL issue.....lol.

[UKUKUK]

Yeah, no lo-profile tires if you plan to go to a less-than-perfect area, you won't have much rim left.

Lexington has the same problem though, as does Chicago.

[Dwatted Wabbit]

Michigan is pretty flat.

People drove for decades without 4WD or FWD. Good snow tires will do you just fine.
And perhaps undercoating, if they salt like they used to.

[dragon_fly_12]

The best thing you can do, once it snows, is get out to a snow covered open space (empty parking lot) and PRACTICE. You need to practice stopping, turning, and learn how to do donuts - this is the best way to learn how to handle the car once you encounter a slippery spot on the road. Ever see the animated movie Cars? Just like what was in the movie, sometimes you have to turn the wheel the opposite direction to keep on track.

You'll be fine, just get practice. I almost always had rear wheel drive vehicles in MI, and my father still does. Throw 2-3 sand bags in the back so you have some weight on the axle, and use your brain when you drive. You'll be fine.

[Apollonewton]

Yep, leaving Miami to anywhere is painful. I love the sun and the hot weather But i'm very much looking forward to going to Michigan. I'm a very outdoor person, and it seems like there is a lot to do up there.

Can't really trade in my car for a FORD yet but I do notice the trend when i visited over the weekend.

I guess the best thing to do then is for me to look for snow tires and have them ready for the winter.

Some friends recommended putting chain on my tires? isn't that illegal now?

Thanks..!

[UKUKUK]

On that note, Michigan, from my experience, always does a great job of keeping the roads clean. Ohio, on the other hand... Lord no.