quick question about this car in snow
 

Im in the toronto area and our winters can get pretty bad and i have my 2014 frs as my DD so i will be taking it through the winter. Just wanted to know how this car holds up in winter with proper snow tires? I only have experience driving FWD cars in winter with all season/snow tires so a bit worried about the upcoming winter.

Also i was curious about rust-proofing. I've been told that i don't need to rust proof the car just keep it clean by washing it every other week, just undercoat the bottom with a spray which i intend to do at the end of october. Any insights on this? I came from a rust-bucket mazda which even rustproofing couldn't save.

This car is surprisingly good in the snow with a proper set of tires. I've had mine through two winters now. My recommendation: a cheap set of 16" steel wheels and Bridgestone Blizzaks (either the WS70 or the new WS80) in a 205/55/16 size.


I would get it rust-proofed...heavy salt use in southern Ontario. Use either Krown or Rust Check. I use Rust Check.

I'll second what @roddy said. I was fine last winter even with the shit-ton of snow we had.

I had Toyo GSI-5 in 205/55/16 on mine. Allow wheels though. No ugly steelies for me. :)

For sure the steelies are fugly, but they're durable, and touch-ups are easy...if they start to show some rust, a quick spray with some black tremclad, and you're good to go. My own personal reason for running steel wheels in the winter is that alloy wheels (especially clear coated ones) tend to develop leaks around the bead after a couple of seasons in the salt.

OP please use search in CANADA subforum...many threads

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=74317

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=49559

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=57277

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=55047

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=57498

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=50899

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=56581

I ran mine for 2 seasons on Conti Extreme Winter Contacts because they were non-directional unlike the Blizzaks allowing me to rotate them around the car and keep wear even - especially important on a lowered car. Mine were mounted on steelies and I simply sprayed the wheels and welds with rust proofing cavity wax to prevent rust. Worked great.

The car is exceptional in winter if you drive smart. Never drive in winter on all-seasons or summer tires.

It will be the most fun you ever had in snow...and on 4 wheels

Good tires as suggested by everyone will serve you fine. Just use common sense - if it's really bad out, don't drove. I drive mine last winter and found that I felt more confident driving in the snow in VSC-Sport; nannies kicked in a lot less so the car was more predictable. The worst is when it starts kicking in when you're turning at an intersection. It's better to have a predictable slide then having no idea when it might decide to do some uneven stabilization.

https://img.4plebs.org/boards/x/imag...6241712835.jpg

My WRX is way more fun in the winter...

Still a great car for fun in the winter.

Mine survived a winter in NW Ontario (Thunder bay to be exact). With winter tires (General Altimax Arctics 205/55/16) I never got stuck once!

Rule of thumb for me after the hell on earth last winter is, if you're plowing, you ain't driving.

Finally someone that didn't write funner.

I had a WRX and I respectfully disagree.

I'm willing to bet your WRX did not have a welded rear diff and front LSD installed+other goodies.

Last winter was my first winter with the FR-S at stock height. Traction control on this car is strong and only mildly slipped once on a long winding turn. Never got stuck. But to be safe i have a small shovel in the trunk and this year I'll keep a bag of kitty litter for traction just in case and to way the back down a little bit. Running Hankook Ipike (forgot the model number) 205/55/16.

thanks for all the info i am getting a good set of snow tires and rims but I'm still curious about the rust proofing and if its necessary for this car.

Snow+frs=fun

The twins are made of metal, so yes.

Krown dripped spray any good for rust proofing?

its god
 

try krown as the oil seeps everywhere. do it when its hottest in summer. cars a laugh in snow. deep snow is a problem though.

Blew through 18 inches of untouched snow with my lowered car the other day. Snow tires made all the difference.
Was a blast watching the 20 foot plumes of snow shoot out each side!

Running Michelin Xi3 on 215/45/17 (got em for half the price they should have been) and on stock rims. So far so good, braking is amazing, turning traction reminds me of fwd on all seasons. You'll turn as expected, but applying too much throttle results in some sliding but it's extremely predictable.

Avoid hilly areas in slow moving traffic. I had troubles keeping straight up the garage ramp with 3~ inches of snow.

No rust proofing for me, but I've got a season pass + touchless washes at Petro ready to go. Line-ups are hell in the evening but go just before they close and you should be alright.

I used petro Canada daily pass last year and they use wax which built up in layers. it was tough to remove in the spring. if I could get the wash without the wax I would do it but the way its priced you pretty well have to go daily maybe the bestr answer is to go to a self spray place several times a week.

Toyota Norway recommends waiting 2-3 years instead of rustproofing a new car.
They say the rustproofing will stick better and last longer. And it'll stop any developing rust before it gets serious.
So I'll get mine done next year.

I'm curious as to why no one from North America ever mentions Nokian Hakkapeliitta winter tyres. Are they not sold over there?
Too bad, because they have better grip when it counts in both the studded and the studless types than any other tyres.
Serious tests, AND my personal experience, makes me go for Hakka's when I buy new winter shoes for any lightweight car.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7291/1...fda2ee51_o.jpg
Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2 studless 215/55R16
http://nokiantyres.studio.crasman.fi...ge_HKPL_R2.png

Quite a few people run Hakkas here.

They tend to be a little more expensive, which is why you see people using other brands.

I considered them, but at almost twice the price of the Xi3's I picked up, just not worth it.

They're expensive here too, but any good upgrade will cost. These tyres are worth it.

Running same setup - Hankook iPikes 419 and a shovel in the trunk!

Going into second winter. No issues so far. Traction control does help with slips and slides.

That's very subjective.

Yes, of course it is. What's your point?

If you want to see a video of how well our cars do in the winter with proper tires I can grab my dashcam and post the video of me driving from Water Valley to Calgary with the morning being more packed down and the night being no vis heavy snow.

Sadly, no amount of winter tires, driving skill, or traction control can protect us from the wrath of other drivers. Just drove about 3 km and had a few close calls.

Buddy lets just not even talk about it.... Specially drivers with F150 or RAM 1500. They just think they are invincible to snowy roads.
I just back and already had few close calls as well (like you).

:mad0259:Stupid Drivers:mad0260: