How does *your* car do in the snow?

"Textured Soy Protein" (texturedsoyprotein) 12/16/2016 at 20:35 • Filed to: None

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A nice snowstorm is shaping up here in Wisconsin, so the wife and I scrubbed our dinner plans in favor of spaghetti at home. Getting out of my car at the grocery store, this old dude loading his 90s Accord wagon next to me sized up my car and asked, “how does your car do in the snow?” like he didn’t believe it could handle the weather.

I replied, “it’s got snow tires and all wheel drive, so pretty good!” All he could manage to say was “all-wheel huh, oh...” as if now with this knowledge he decided that my stupid blue BMW can magically conquer all conditions as long as all of its wheels are driven.

Then I went home and made spaghetti for the missus, and we’re still working on that double-size bottle of cheap wine. It’ll probably last the weekend. Maybe.

Also, this upended shopping cart in a snowy parking lot is a profound statement about American consumerism. Not sure what statement it’s making, but it’s profound .

Oliver knows what the shopping cart means.

e36Jeff now drives a ZHP > Textured Soy Protein 12/16/2016 at 20:41

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RWD e46 on snow tires...Pretty damn good. has yet to fail me in any snow that I actually wanted to drive through

Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras > Textured Soy Protein 12/16/2016 at 20:41

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Never had a winter with the Si; about to find out tomorrow with the expected 3-6 inches of snow.

Assuming I just dont wake up, look outside, and say “fuck going to work”

lone_liberal > Textured Soy Protein 12/16/2016 at 20:46

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My Mariner may not look like much but she’s got it where it counts, kid. And where it counts is decent snow tires, heated mirrors and heated seats. With the temps hovering near 0F for my morning commute I would kill for a heated steering wheel, though.

dogisbadob > Textured Soy Protein 12/16/2016 at 20:46

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it was just ok, but that was on old mis-matching tires. I just got new tires last month, so we’ll see how it will do this season. Falken Ziex ZE950 on a 96 I30

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Textured Soy Protein 12/16/2016 at 20:48

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Back in the olden days cars actually kinda sucked in the snow. Tire technology was primitive and there was no such thing as all wheel drive or traction control.

I remember sitting on the hood of our 1980 Honda Civic to help it get enough traction to get up the driveway. Getting a run at it was a commonly used phrase in our house.

Quadradeuce > Textured Soy Protein 12/16/2016 at 20:49

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My Sierra with brand new tires is handling this Green Bay storm like a champ. I look forward to driving in the snow. 4wd and a locker help

Marcus Rhatigan > Textured Soy Protein 12/16/2016 at 20:51

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Snow tonight, doing our Christmas meal shopping tomorrow AM.

After 16 years and three Foresters, my wife bought a new Outback this time. It has frickin’ 18s, people, and I can’t talk her into -2 16" snows on black steelies. It’s too “pretty” as-is (Tungsten, if you’re wondering about the color).

We’ll see how long this lasts.

jimz > Textured Soy Protein 12/16/2016 at 20:57

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I have a Ranger Sport 4x4 with Firestone Winterforce UVs on it. Snow? What’s that? I just see white shit I can plow through.

and your spaghetti looks marvelous. please gib me

Phyrxes once again has a wagon! > Textured Soy Protein 12/16/2016 at 21:08

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Metro DC is supposed to get just sleet and freezing rain which means tomorrow will be the frozen version of Fury Road. I am going to pick up my CX-5 tomorrow with my dad so I am betting he grabs the keys to my mom’s Vue when leaves the house in the morning.

My TDI is generally fine in the snow but since the tires are crap its not going anywhere at the moment.

Textured Soy Protein > lone_liberal 12/16/2016 at 21:10

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Heated steering wheels are nice in concept but really I drive with gloves on all winter anyway.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Textured Soy Protein 12/16/2016 at 21:10

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The 4Runner is a snow beast.

The Fiesta... I don’t know, and I don’t really care to find out, because I live in South Carolina and I’m not investing in snow tires.

comes over to help work on your car and only drinks beer > Textured Soy Protein 12/16/2016 at 21:12

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W 0341 rippin’ a dank woolie inna piggly wiggly parking lot, bro.

Textured Soy Protein > comes over to help work on your car and only drinks beer 12/16/2016 at 21:15

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Do you own a fine selection of flat brimmed Monster Energy baseball caps?

pip bip - choose Corrour > Textured Soy Protein 12/16/2016 at 21:21

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my car has never seen serious snow.

lone_liberal > Textured Soy Protein 12/16/2016 at 21:25

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I drive with them on until it warms up enough to be able to grab the wheel with bare hands, but I hate it. There is just something about wearing gloves while driving that bugs the shit out of me.

DasWauto > Textured Soy Protein 12/16/2016 at 21:32

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I picked up my WRX on Monday, put snow tires (Michelin X-i3, same as I had on my Golf) on it Tuesday, it’s amazing. I did donuts in our parking lot yesterday. This car makes me smile.

vicali > Textured Soy Protein 12/16/2016 at 21:36

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Blizzaks on the Tacoma and xice2 on the Forester.. winter is boring.

MyJeepGetsStuckInTheSnow > Textured Soy Protein 12/16/2016 at 21:43

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You’re crazy!

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > Textured Soy Protein 12/16/2016 at 21:55

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Amazing. And if conditions get to the point where it can no longer be amazing, a slight adjustment of the transfer case makes it amazing again.

Honestly, in 2wd it’s incredibly predictable and easy to drive unless traction conditions are absolutely terrible, in that it is pretty much impossible to set off without noticeable wheelspin. Even under those conditions, 4wd has it all but glued to the road. It’s ridiculous (and perhaps a little dangerous, because the day will come when that extra confidence could well be a bad thing) how good it is.

That said I will admit to one funny piece of behaviour... when it gets slippery, whether that be in rain or snow, it doesn’t take off straight. If it spins it always kicks the ass end to the right. No idea why. It doesn’t seem limited to me though, I’ve watched a bimmer do the same thing... beats me.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > Textured Soy Protein 12/16/2016 at 21:57

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I hate gloves. I would love a heated steering wheel. In fact, it’s the only piece of equipment I really wish I had. Infotainment systems... meh. Nicer interior.. meh. Actual leather instead of vinyl... you get the picture.

Stephenson Valve Gear > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 12/16/2016 at 22:13

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“Back in the olden days...” heh, heh! When I was a young whippersnapper, hardly anyone in our neck of the woods had 4wd since they were so darned expensive. Dad had an honest-to-goodness 400 lb. chunk of steel that we would load (using a chain hoist and a tree) in the back of his ‘64 Chevy 3/4 ton 2wd w/ 6 banger and a 4 speed. Then put on the tire chains. Then fire up the B John Deere tractor (hand start, of course) and try to use the combination of tractor and pickup to bust our way out of a mile of dirt road to get to the paved highway that got plowed by the state. The dirt road ran east-west, and the strong winds from the north would blow in some amazing snow drifts (at least for this part of the country). I only remember a handful of times that we weren’t able to get dad’s truck through so he could go to work... and if we didn’t get the truck out, he would walk out to the paved highway and hitchhike into work anyway.

Now if you kids will get off my lawn, I need to check the kerosene level in my lantern before I head out to the barn... :-D

Textured Soy Protein > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer 12/16/2016 at 22:19

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How can you hate gloves? They keep your hands warm when it’s cold. They’re soft and fuzzy inside. On longer trips i might take them off once the interior is nice and toasty but most of my driving is quick jaunts around my small corner of suburbia.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Stephenson Valve Gear 12/16/2016 at 22:23

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We had a 1965 ford 3/4 ton 4wd for busting out of the snow drifts. The problem was the wheel base was so wide that none of our compact cars could follow in it’s tracks. That truck was a monster, put chains on the front tires and it could claw through 3' of snow.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > Textured Soy Protein 12/16/2016 at 22:30

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They’re clumsy and terrible. I will where them if I’m actively using my hands outside in winter, but anything else... no. I’ll suffer the cold wheel. And work or mechanic gloves are even worse. I want to be able to feel and manipulate stuff without a piece of sliding fabric in the way.

My kind of gloves were designed for protecting from pucks rather than cold.

smobgirl > lone_liberal 12/16/2016 at 22:38

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That’s how I feel about shoes.

DipodomysDeserti > Textured Soy Protein 12/16/2016 at 22:40

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What is snow?

Textured Soy Protein > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer 12/16/2016 at 23:09

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Sounds like you should try better gloves. These are my favorite pair.

P5guy now GTIguy > Textured Soy Protein 12/16/2016 at 23:33

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I’ve got Blizzaks on my Altima, but no ABS or traction control, I still feel pretty comfortable when the weather gets bad. I really think abs would be a godsend though.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > Textured Soy Protein 12/16/2016 at 23:39

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Gloves have never been my thing. I’d rather sacrifice my own skin for some reason. If I have to use them I go for thin, tough, Mechanix-style gloves.

Textured Soy Protein > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 12/16/2016 at 23:39

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What disappoints me is that there’s so much great tire technology out there that makes it possible to drive in the snow so wonderfully, and yet there are still do many tires out there at all price points that ignore that technology and get chosen as OE tires by car manufacturers on a regular basis.

hellriaser > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer 12/16/2016 at 23:39

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I had no idea how much I loved a proper heated wheel till I got my s6. I don’t think I could ever go back, spoiled for life

shop-teacher > Textured Soy Protein 12/17/2016 at 00:26

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Honestly, the Roadmaster is so good in the snow it’s almost boring to drive in it. Even on all seasons, with positraction and all that weight over the rear, the thing just wants to go ... and straight too.

Tristan > Textured Soy Protein 12/17/2016 at 01:53

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My vehicle choices at current are: lifted XJ, stock WJ with Quadradrive II, 4x4 Suburban, and AWD Rav4. All perform admirably.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > Textured Soy Protein 12/17/2016 at 04:19

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350hp, 390lb-ft, rwd, no lsd, 275 width low profile rear tires, and a very hilly city...

Actually does great! Blizzaks and a driver who grew up with this shit, not to mention a pretty damn good esp system for being 15 years old all make for a surprisingly capable ride on snow and ice.

But the snownuts! The snownuts are awesome! And sooooo easy!

Stephenson Valve Gear > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 12/17/2016 at 16:55

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Yup, even with the 2wd Chevy, we had the same issue trying to get our small cars out. We had a ‘67 bug until 1980, when Dad traded it in for a used Chevette (Shove - ette?). Same issue with both cars... get one side in the track cleared by the truck, the other side would be in the snow. Both cars rear-wheel drive and open differentials. I certainly don’t miss those “good old days”.

dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford > Textured Soy Protein 12/18/2016 at 01:53

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Horrible.

Although I only have experience with it in ice. That’s the same, right?

Dorifto everywhere, understeer everywhere, spin tires everywhere, and have traction nowhere. I couldn’t even make it up our driveway earlier.

Justino6969 > Textured Soy Protein 12/18/2016 at 19:37

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My MK4 Jetta with meh tires? However well a fwd sedan with all seasons can do.

My XJ with new 31" All Terrain T/A K02s? Not too shabby.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > Textured Soy Protein 12/19/2016 at 10:23

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My Miata is stupid fun in the snow. I normally like to drive responsibly but for some reason I start drifting around every corner when it snows and just enjoy making the car slide around at all opportunities. Plus throwing the top down in a snow flurry just adds to the experience. Snow tires of course are essential to the experience. There is something magical though about whipping through a mountain pass and showing up to a ski mountain with the top down and wondering how insane I look.

Tohru > Textured Soy Protein 12/20/2016 at 19:53

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The Buick likes the snow just fine. New Firestone Winterforces make a big difference

ateamfan42 > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) 12/21/2016 at 10:48

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I’ve gotten countless “surely you aren’t going to drive that in the winter” comments since I got my Miata last year.

I think the vast number of FWD and AWD cars on the market have made people believe RWD is certain death on snow. People have forgotten that Americans drove RWD cars year round for decades (before FWD cars started coming to the market here), and that was long before the winter tire technology we have today was available.

Snow tires + LSD + hard top = one very happy winter Miata driver

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > ateamfan42 12/21/2016 at 12:22

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My favorite part about winter driving my Miata is any time I have the top down, I will get asked at just about every traffic light if I am cold. With the heat on, windows up, and a hat on I am downright warm that way! Especially if the sun is out and its not too windy. I have been way colder in cars with roofs just because the heat sucks.

ateamfan42 > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) 12/21/2016 at 13:54

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With the heat on, windows up, and a hat on I am downright warm that way!

I find that is comfortable on the highway down to about 40 degF; below that gets a little chilly. At slower speeds I can get away with the top down a bit cooler. (Once the temps have dropped much below freezing I generally already have on the hard top and the winter tires.)

TahoeSTi > Textured Soy Protein 12/21/2016 at 13:58

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I’d say it’s more fun in the snow then it is’ in the dry. AWD + Snow Tires FTW!

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > ateamfan42 12/21/2016 at 14:18

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Oh yeah I am talking about around town mostly. Even in the summer time driving at 80mph with the top down isnt really all that pleasant. But even when its in the teens, as long as its sunny I can do top down any day when going out for lunch or something.

TheDudeAbides_(version 2.0) > Textured Soy Protein 01/05/2017 at 10:59

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Choosing cheap OE tires is a win-win for the Manufacturer and the tire maker. The vehicle manufacturer saves money putting cheap tires on it, the tire manufacturer occasionally double-dips when they sell a buyer new, less crappy tires for their brand new car.

TheDudeAbides_(version 2.0) > Textured Soy Protein 01/05/2017 at 11:09

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I’ve got a 2006 E90 RWD with snow tires. The snow tires make all the difference.

Just recently I attended a friend’s cocktail party, and his driveway is, no exaggeration, at least a 20° grade (it even gets dicey in the rain). This night it started snowing pretty heavily around here, and by the time I got to his house his driveway was a slushy icy disaster punctuated by the multitudes of AWD CUV’s parked at the bottom. That night my ‘sled’ got priority parking, almost exclusively, at the top.