I Spent the Weekend Driving my FR-S in Snow - Insight

[SkitterSkotter]

First, it should be noted that I have no nothing to 'winterize' my car. I have the tires from the factory in addition to a drop-in filter and muffler delete. Onto the purpose of this thread; I was hanging out at the mall with my friend and it started to snow, thankfully the day only got colder and the snow started to stick to the roads...I was so excited. I was eventually able to find a wet parking lot with not a single car in it. Subsequently, I turned off the traction so that I could drift around and really see how the car behaved. Moreover, I was EXTREMELY surprised with just how little grip the tires on a cold, wet surface. It was possible to spin around in second gear with no more than a half to quarter amount of throttle input.

After that, it really started to snow and I had to drive back towards Boulder with about 2 inches on the surface. There the car did quite will, though I decided to leave traction control on but I was still able to drive at 65mph with no issues.

Hhow it looked mid-snow storm before it really started to stick:


Now the fun part: So I decided to keep driving around and enjoying myself when the snow really started to pile up. A nice layer of ice formed with about 3 inches of snow on top of that. I was quite amazed at how the traction control worked from that point on. It certainly would slow the rear tires from spinning when letting the clutch out or just giving the car ample throttle while in gear, but it was quite ineffective in stopping a slide. In some instances it almost made it worse by jabbing the brakes and locking the rear wheels. I actually went around a turn at no more than 5mph and the traction control did nothing to stop a lengthy slide.

The following day, it was 21 degrees out and I was able to find yet another vast open expanse of pavement and really have some fun. Yet again, I was quite stunned by the absolute lack of traction there was. Clearly, this can be due to a million factors, but at the end of the day the standard tires do not provide sufficient grip to be *that* safe, in my opinion, on a completely snowy surface. Sadly I was unable to film my juvenile activities, but I wanted to share my experience with everyone else since I've yet to read any real reviews about driving in the snow. At the same time, let me add that I was indeed able to drive as I would my accord, though there was just a bit less sense of security. Overall, the car did better than I expected, though it was eye-opening as I've never really driven a rwd coupe in snow.

Lastly, here are two other pictures I took over the weekend of a badass and well preserved 1976 4spd Toyota Corolla (I would murder for this)

[rapidcars]

Thanks for the input. The lack of traction has more to do with the tires than the RWD coupe part though. Put on a set of snow tires and you should do much better.

[SkitterSkotter]

Originally Posted by rapidcars

Thanks for the input. The lack of traction has more to do with the tires than the RWD coupe part though. Put on a set of snow tires and you should do much better.

Exactly, the tires have do a lot to do with it. I was just trying to make the point that I had also never driven this type of car in the snow before.

[FR-Shadow]

Do you have the Michelin or the Bridgestone tires? Mine came with Bridgestone all-season tires from the factory.

[Sasquachulator]

Originally Posted by FR-Shadow

Do you have the Michelin or the Bridgestone tires? Mine came with Bridgestone all-season tires from the factory.

that would make a difference.

Micheln Primacy = summer tires = little to no grip in the winter.
Bridgestone all seasons = at least acceptable grip in winter.

[SkitterSkotter]

I have the Micheln Primacy tires, I should have noted that; silly me.

[NOHOME]

I lived your experience many years ago with a brand new Miata. Car would not move out of the driveway on the stock tires. Set of Blizzacks and all was good.

[RaceR]

Step 1: Buy proper winter tires
Step 2: Enjoy winter driving!

[jesperswe]

Did you skid around with the OEM michellin tires? :O
Those things skid around like crazy even on dry pavement

[DarkSunrise]

Originally Posted by SkitterSkotter

After that, it really started to snow and I had to drive back towards Boulder with about 2 inches on the surface. There the car did quite will, though I decided to leave traction control on but I was still able to drive at 65mph with no issues.

Originally Posted by SkitterSkotter

I have the Micheln Primacy tires, I should have noted that; silly me.

You drove 65 mph with 2 inches of snow on the ground on summer Primacy tires? Be careful out there!

[SkitterSkotter]

Originally Posted by DarkSunrise

You drove 65 mph with 2 inches of snow on the ground on summer Primacy tires? Be careful out there!

Like I said in my most, that really wasn't as bad as it sounded. It was quite slushy, it was only bad when that slush later froze and snow accumulated atop. I can assure you I would not spill it like the 350 Nismo that went off the highways this weekend near here.

[Little_Red_FR-S]

I drove in the snow here in NJ and the car handled really well. I had upgraded to Goodyear F1 asymmetric all-season tires and I'm very happy that I did. The stock all-season tires sucked ass.

[roddy]

Sounds like fun... I'm waiting to hear from some of the folks in Western Canada who got some big snow this weekend. Love the Corolla...my Grandma had one like that when I was little.

[jmaryt]

Originally Posted by FR-Shadow

Do you have the Michelin or the Bridgestone tires? Mine came with Bridgestone all-season tires from the factory.

any snow out your way to check those "turanzas" out?