Winter driving/handling

Topic: Winter driving/handling (Read 3398 times) previous topic - next topic

Winter driving/handling

Reply #15 – November 20, 2007, 09:12:51 PM

I'm hoping that my new subs will be enough weight along with the assorted sh*t in my back seat

Winter driving/handling

Reply #16 – November 21, 2007, 02:41:15 AM

I've been driving cougars for almost 20 years. I've never had any problems in the snow, except when I'm passing a slow 4x4. That ticks me off a bit. I can remember at least two occasions when i was the only rear wheel drive car that made it to work, and a few years back, I'm pretty sure I was the only rear wheel drive on the road. I guess I had allot of practice in the snow in my younger days when I drove a few REAL tanks like 70's impala's. Of course I do remember being on the highway several years ago and passing a tractor trailer on the highway. Car started to fishtail a bit, and all I could think of, oh, my poor car. I recovered nicely and tried again successfully. I don't understand why so many people have problems, and we've had some pretty nasty weather every few years. Only time I can remember not being able to go anywhere was some years back in a 94' mustang GT. I started out, and almost thought i wasn't gonna make it back home. Other time was in my 89' cougar. Couldn't move on a slight inclination. So I parked it on the street and drove the 86' with no serious issues. It only had a v-6 then as well. I've never owned snow tires either.

Winter driving/handling

Reply #17 – November 21, 2007, 09:17:27 AM

If you don't have a good set of snow tires, make sure your tires have a great deal of tread on them. I always had the trunk filled with about 200#s of bagged sand. It came in quite handy in case I got stuck, I could just cut open a bag and spread the sand on the ground. It was a good plan, but I never had to do it. The only problem I ever had driving in snow was getting out of my driveway. It's all uphill and it's dang near impossible to make it up there when its covered in ice and snow.

Quote from: thunderjet302;188630

Winter should be fun this year with my MN-12 V6 and peg leg rear. Last time I drove rear wheel drive in the snow was 4 years ago and it was a T-lok equipped 89 Crown Vic....no problems in the snow with that.

Have fun with that. We used to have a '93 V6 bird. It got by but the ride was always interesting.

Winter driving/handling

Reply #18 – November 21, 2007, 09:27:37 AM

What's the difference in snow tires and regular tires?????? Is there really that big of a difference ????

Winter driving/handling

Reply #19 – November 21, 2007, 12:20:38 PM

If you are talking true snow tires and not all season m&s tires, there is a difference. I have had a set of snow tires on both front & rear of our cougar until this year. Last year my snow tires were not quite what they should have been but I made it through with out getting stuck. As for this year, I'm stuck using all seaon tires because the funding is not there to buy new snow tires. If you use caution you should be ok. I have not put any weight in the trunk of ours and have not gotten stuck.

Winter driving/handling

Reply #20 – November 21, 2007, 01:36:48 PM

Quote from: 5.0willgo;188895

If you don't have a good set of snow tires, make sure your tires have a great deal of tread on them. I always had the trunk filled with about 200#s of bagged sand. It came in quite handy in case I got stuck, I could just cut open a bag and spread the sand on the ground. It was a good plan, but I never had to do it. The only problem I ever had driving in snow was getting out of my driveway. It's all uphill and it's dang near impossible to make it up there when its covered in ice and snow.

Have fun with that. We used to have a '93 V6 bird. It got by but the ride was always interesting.

I'll be drifting to work :hick:

It shouldn't be a problem. We don't have mountains or hills in Illinois. It's all flat.

Winter driving/handling

Reply #21 – November 21, 2007, 01:45:35 PM

Oh, had it wrong--the impact matter is forward motion --you hitting someone else. Yeah, anyone can drive in a snowstorm if they are careful and have no other traffic to deal with.

Once I saw an auto lose control in a snowstorm on I-55 and went down into the gap between the highway lanes. He kept plowing through the snow in the gulley between those interstate lanes (at speed!!) until he eventually climbed back up onto the roadway after about 100 yards. He did not think at the time -I am sure--that about every half mile or so--there were concrete culverts in that gulley (buried by the snow in that storm). If he had hit once of those, it would be fatal I am sure----He was lucky that day.

Winter driving/handling

Reply #22 – November 21, 2007, 03:38:59 PM

Glad I live in Texas now and don't have to worry about winter driving anymore.

Winter driving/handling

Reply #23 – December 09, 2007, 04:09:08 PM

This will be my first canadian winter (that arrived a month early!) driving the 88 XR7 (with the trac-lok :)), I had driven the 87 LS (7.5" conventional) in winters before. I had a set of worn all-season tires on the rear, and two relativley newer all-seasons on the front. No added weight in my trunk; aside from the odd fishtail through an intersection, she handled the snow just fine.

The 88 XR7 though, there not all seasons, nor winter, they are regular summer touring tires. All brand new and in exceptional condition... She handles fine on the road so far; but I can't expect her to climb out the driveway before I shovel... but it's usually a good indicator... can't get out: STAY HOME. works for me; as it does for my X.

But I guess the point or observation I'm making is just this; winter driving involves extra caution, if you know how to drive your car and are comfortable behind the wheel, it's only the other dorks out there that can't drive you need to wory about. Snow tires help, I won't deny that, but as someone once said, "you treat her like a lady, and she'll always bring you home."

Winter driving/handling

Reply #24 – December 09, 2007, 07:17:14 PM

Tires make more a a difference than trak-loc..... I've driven cars with sh^t tires and trak-lok that have done worse in snow than open diff cars with good tires. The trick is to have both....

Winter driving/handling

Reply #25 – December 09, 2007, 07:31:29 PM

I tried to change my subtitle in my thread replies to "Someone once said, "You treat her like a lady, and she'll always bring you home." but there weren't enough available characters. So I compromised with a poll I setup.... Foxes, Cats and Birds. :D

Winter driving/handling

Reply #26 – December 09, 2007, 08:35:10 PM

Quote from: V8Demon;191896

Tires make more a a difference than trak-loc..... I've driven cars with sh^t tires and trak-lok that have done worse in snow than open diff cars with good tires. The trick is to have both....

I agree 100%

Just got my snow tires yesterday. As soon as I get t-lok I will be golden. Can't believe v6's still don't get t-loks. Well I can... but still.

Winter driving/handling

Reply #27 – December 09, 2007, 09:12:04 PM

I still say good tires and smart driving. but your right t-lok won't hurt

Winter driving/handling

Reply #28 – December 09, 2007, 09:24:26 PM

One word: SIPING. The more the merrier. And my 88 v6 bird has t-lok.

Winter driving/handling

Reply #29 – December 09, 2007, 09:29:27 PM

Forgive my ignorance... HAVI, but SIPING is a technology of True Winter Tires, is it not?