Storm incoming and unavoidable advice
 

Hey guys. I just got my manual BRZ under two weeks ago. I live in Oshkosh Wisconsin and have a 10 minute drive to and from the office.

We've got a pretty sizeable snow storm hittting now that will continue into tomorrow around noon. It's supposed to snow about 8 to 14 inches. I am still new to manual (pretty much have no issues anymore at this point though). And my previous car was an old ford explorer with 4 wheel drive. I imagine this is going to be an interesting experience on the way to the office in the morning.

Any tips? I don't have much of a choice. I need to get to the office. It shouldn't be an issue next winter as I plan to get an old truck next fall as my winter vehicle. I had thought winter was over. I should have known better. Haha

Take it very slow. Leave the traction control on. Stock tires are not very good in snow. Honestly if it was me id even consider renting a car for the day. Not because I dont trust the car or my driving ability its I dont trust others,

If you're on stock tires you're screwed.

You guys beat me too it lol

take a cab.

I put my snow tires back on yesterday just for this storm. Enjoy your day off.

I would phone a friend, a co-worker, someone who owes you a favor, anything but drive in the snow with the stock tires.

If you must drive in the snow put some sandbags (or a 100lb bag of rice cuz I'm asian) in the trunk, carry some salt and/or kitty litter and a shovel in case you get stuck. First aid and/or winter survival kit in case you really get stuck and have to camp out in the car until help comes. Might be overkill but you'll be glad to have it when SHTF.

I have my summer tires on already but luckily Milwaukee isn't supposed to get that much but to be safe I'm also driving my wife's Sonata.

Take Uber.

be the snow

Since you literally just started driving a manual. DO NOT even think about attempting driving through the snow. Just don't do it. Sitting at home for a few days with your BRZ parked safely in your driveway/parking lot is a much better outcome than spending the snow days looking for a new 86.

Just my .02!

I live in Florida so we get no snow but lots of rain and on the stock tires it can get iffy sometimes. So the snow will be alot worst and if there is black ice anywhere its over for you. Seriously be careful we are all warning you from experience and do not want to see harm done to you our your fancy car.

I didn't think it was likely to be available in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

you dont know the half of it :lol: come take mine for a spin next winter (literally you will spin its a lot of fun)

That made me lol

Stay home!

Said plenty of times already. Please do not drive in the snow on your stock tires. I'm finally getting a new front bumper and a fender repainted from a nice snow bank (in my defense i was avoiding hitting a car instead) I hit this winter thinking I didn't need winter tires. I have since gotten winter tires and am 100% confident that I would have had the grip needed to have avoided both the car and the snow bank.

I would way rather be spending that money on upgrades D:

Get winter tires or find some other way to get to work.

10 minute drive? So that's what 10 miles or less?

Consider walk? Taxi? Sleep at the office? Sleep in the car? Ask someone at work if they can pick you up, offer them money?

If you have an accident you are going to feel pretty dumb I think considering its such a short distance you got some options.

sleep at the office bro

You're not gonna be able to make it out of your driveway with stock tires, you need to get a seperate steel wheel set with blizzaks from tirerack then driving will be easy and fun (SIDEWAYS!). You have no chance of getting to work. Call a friend as for a ride

Snowshoes.
Check the straps and webbing are still tight.

I have been driving manual RWD cars in the snow for 40 years and there is not a hope in hell I even leave my driveway on the stock tires when temperatures are near zero much less when there is snow.

There was a guy who posted a video he got stuck in damp grass with stock tires. Wish I saved it so I could post it to threads like these.

Lol. You guys make me laugh. As much as I really don't want to. I will heed your advice. I need a food run anyhow. I suppose I'm jogging tomorrow morning.

For future reference: can I make it through a whole winter with blizzaks? Also, the first day or two I took a pretty sharp corner at about 50mph, without slippage on the stock tires. Then a week later went to take a 90 degree corner at about 40mph and had a bit of skid. I thought that was a bit weird to have 2 totally different experiences with its cornering behavior. And no I haven't done it a lot. So, it's not like they are worn out already. I have done that maybe 4 times. And I have never turned traction control off yet or pressed the vsc button. I haven't been brave enough yet. Manual learning comes first. Haha.

*good.

If I were to get better summer tires for this summer/next and some blizzaks for winter would that be sensical? Or should I just get the blizzaks and keep the stock for summer? I am sure I will drift eventually, but I'm not going to be out drifting every week. It is mostly a daily driver during the week and a fun toy on weekends (but not every weekend. I can't afford that many tires. Haha)

+1 for cab or beg a ride

... Or lay in some beer and good cigars, call in sick and play records all day.

Haha. Call in sick during a snow storm to a company who knows full well that I just bought a BRZ. Yeah... an office full of engjneers won't suspect a thing. Lol. I am currently soliciting the assistance of a friend. We shall see if I am running or not.

I run blizzaks on the stock wheels and have pilot super sports on my summer wheels, dedicated seasonal tires is the way to go.

Wow I'm in Madison and we're only due 1-3 inches lol. I'm also running blizzaks WS80, worked awesome for this winter, no problem in the snow at all. I will be swapping them out this Friday.

The stock tires are very sensitive to temperatures below about 40 degrees. Odds are it was simply colder the second time you did it. Below freezing you may as well just be driving on solid rubber hockey pucks they will harden up so bad.
Throw some good snows on it and it is a tank through the snow.

Im glad i have a daily civic because im in a similar area where this storm is hitting. But im still going to be working from home. Just take it slow in the snow, if it's not too far away you should be OK. But in deep snow you're kind of fucked, try to take the day off, its not worth your life.

Don't worry.

If you drive and crash....

IT WILL BUFF OUT

http://www.urbandictionary.com/defin...+Will+Buff+Out


Worse case scenario:
http://www.urbandictionary.com/defin...%27ll+Buff+Out

I am going to say you will have your hands full even with winter tires due to lack of experience with a clutch. You really have to learn how to control the power through modulation of the throttle, brake and clutch, and be very familiar with where the clutch grabs, which is a little tricky at first. Give yourself a year of learning the quirks, then if you must drive it in winter get some good winter tires.

I don't get much snow where I live. Are snow chains an option? but id personally have it at home if I could! Even ask a work mate for a lift and pay for fuel.

Spot on. The stock tires are not intended for winter use, or snow use, or ice use. Period. Don't go out there and get stuck or hurt yourself or kill somebody else.

Stay off the roads. One thing I hate in snowstorms is white knuckle drivers that spaz out and crash then tie up traffic.

I hate tractor trailers that want to pass those white knuckle drivers and takes them 5 minutes to pass going 0.5 mph faster than the car. hnnnnnngh.....

I will upgrade my comment. I also hate trucks and 4x4s that think they are above the laws of physics and drive like it's a summer day. Theory is that the disparity between the too fast and too slow drivers cause the most accidents.

For people that don't know cars SUVs and tractor trailers in the snow create a false sense of security I guess

I have taken all your advice, guys. Fret not. This is why I come to you first. I trust you guys to fill the gaps in my knowledge in topics such as this. I have lived in WI all my life and know the dangers of winter driving and have become quite good at it. Which is why I am smart enough to know that you guys are right. I won't be driving my precious car tomorrow. A new friend of mine was kind enough to pick me up and take me there. She can't get me there quite on time, but I'm grateful that she offered. She shall be repayed for gas and a favor in the future.

Anyhow, I will likely be driving this car up to 10k miles before next winter even rolls around. So if I end up not having the cash to get a beater truck for next winter, I should have enough clutch time to be okay with some blizzaks and measured caution next winter. Are the ws80's the ones to get for next winter and should I get the 16's or 17's?