Weight in the trunk for winter driving
 

Just wondering how many people put weight in the trunk for winter driving or just leave it normal? I drove it last summer without any weight and didn't have any issues but was considering adding it this year cause I've heard good things about it. Any particular cons about it? I know the added weight will affect fuel efficiency slightly but my main concern is control. Any thoughts or opinions on this matter are appreciated.

Thanks

There are several threads that debate the topic to death. In fact the two camps are so far apart on the subject that they are more confusing than helpful.
I am going to leave it as is, with the theory that if it was a good idea it would be included in the owner's manual. If the manual is detailed enough to include a paragraphed on " Napping in Your Vehicle" I think it would mention adding weight.

True, I guess I reached the same conclusion after reading through countless threads that varied in opinion so much. Main purpose of this was the poll aspect to get an idea in numbers of how many people decide to do it or not.

For what it's worth
 

Nothing beats FOUR Snow Tires. Lots of people get by on TWO, but four really makes a difference.

Attached from Consumer Reports: Dec 2014 issue.
Prices NOT for FRS..of course FRS size way more.
Example Michelin X-Ice X13 is $171. each Tire rack..USA Dollars.

Yes, snows are critical for these cars I understand!
Mine has a nice set of snowshoes now. Feels like I am driving a monster truck now but should reduce the chances of getting stuck.

Yea I would never go with 2, especially with our cars. I personally went with continental extremewintercontacts last winter and had no regrets with them in the 20k I drove with them on.

Is your car lowered? If so by how much and did you have any issues with snow clearance? This is the only reason I have held back on lowering my car so far.

I tried using the stock "all-season" tires last year. I won't make that mistake again. This year I have Blizzacks and 150 pounds of junk in my trunk.

I don't, Handled the winter just fine without extra weight. Good set of winter tires was all that was needed in my case.

Why bother with adding weight when this car come with
Traction control? The best you can do its to put nice set of winter tires.
Btw i dont like drive my cars cuz the salt in the road will rust it so i drive a beat car instead.

Damn those rims are ugly. Did y'all get them off taxis?

I'm so glad to live in the Deep South where I don't have to ugly up my car to make it through the winter.

Thanks for the constructive input, much appreciated :thumbsup:

I have driven with and with out weight in the back, Some days your glad you have that weight in there and some your not.
So now I run without and just a good set of snows on.

In the situations where weight in the trunk would help traction control is actually a negative thing. Weight really only comes into play when going up hills at a speed which is too low compared to the amount of traction, causing a loss in momentum. When the wheels start to spin these cars fall flat on their face if traction control is left on. A decent driver can drive this car with good snow tires in up to 3" of snow without much issue, with traction control off.

It is lowered an inch and I have never driven it in snow yet.
As it is, it is still about an inch higher than my Eagle Talon was and I never had a problem with it even without snows so I am optimistic!

Aren't they though!
Got a set of the old Ford domed center caps around here someplace.
I am gonna dig em out and play police car!

so, both you guys, are those 16s?

First car I ever drove that had traction control was my wife's 98 Pontiac Sunfire.
Was stuck in the laneway for 1/2 an hour and could not figure out for the life of me why the car would not move.
Finally thought "hmmmm wonder what this little button with the skidding car pic does".
Turned it off an bingo car moved no problem!!!!!

I have good winter tires on the OEM rims. No weight in the trunk. I've been fine for two winters already.

yep, 16x6.5s with 205/55r GT Radial Ice Pro tires on them. Could not find a lot of info on the tires but they were dirt cheap through my wife's work. Since they didn't cost me as much as some dinners I have had I figured if they really suck I can swap them out for something better down the road.
The tire place I got them from puts them on the city cop cars so I have to think they won't be tooooo horrible.
If they do work well they are a hell of a deal even at regular price.

16s are the way to go in my opinion. The handling isn't as crisp as with the 17s but the extra sidewall is nice for some flex to grip and soaks the bumps up slightly better.

Here is my car with the winter setup on, 16x7 gold Sparco Assetto Gara wrapped in General Altimax arctics(205/55)

www.imgur.com/CW6dD0N.jpg

I've been hoping to pounce on someone unloading their stock wheels for that very reason.

I'm lazy so this year I'll see how far I can get with my I'm-from-Western-New-York attitude.

Are those your spare rims?

They are what I run during the winter, I use the stock wheels for summer use for now. They are fairly cheap on tirerack.

That is sofa king baller. Now I want some ultra-lightweight badass rims strictly for my winter tires. ftw :thumbup:

Forgot to point out my pimped out valve stem covers!

I agree, the only time I had an issue last winter was when I was messing around deliberately to see what the cars limit was. It happened in the exact scenario you described, going up a hill with TC on at low speeds. Aside from that I never had an issue.

Kind of surprised at the vote count so far, I thought it would be a tighter contest based on earlier forum research.

Also looks wise I kind of like the all black steelies, makes it look kind of tougher imo. I'm a bit bias cause I have a dark colour anyways so it does blend a bit easier.

Yes, 205 55 16 Continental EWC's

I think 16 is the way to go if you have a lot of driving to do in bad conditions. It allows the tire to be a bit more mushy and grippy at the cost of agility though. In my case it was worth it cause I drive a lot on adverse conditions and don't regret the decision at all. If I was only doing city winter driving I may have considered 17's

I haven't ever run weight in the trunk. I just keep a pair of plastic traction aids, a small shovel and a small bag of road salt in case I really get stuck sometime. Didn't have any real issues last winter.


Just installed my winter's today. 16" Michelin X-ice3's on ugly steelies.

Survived two snowy winters with the FR-S, and now going in to a third. I've not put any weight in the trunk.

Winter tires. Get em. I'm using X-Ice Xi2s, I hear the Xi3s are phenomenal.

Clear out your wheel wells often. When enough snow and ice gets packed into there, your handling is cut in half. Especially important if you've got something for the snow to grab on to like mudflaps.

Hankook i*pikes are a nice winter sport tire that handle just as well as the stock all-seasons, if not better, as long as it's cold. I can't say they would be perfect for a place that suffers from severe winter, but I like them. I was considering weight in the trunk but never got around to it. I had no issues.

Can't answer the poll because I just got the car but I know the tires that are on it suck in the cold, found that out this morning. I've been trying to figure out what to do for winter tires for the last few days. I have a set of 17" wheels I can use but I agree with the reasons for 16's. Would a 205/50/17 be enough bump in sidewall height to notice a difference with a softer winter tire or is the extra 1/2" really that significant if I go to 205/55/16? Either way I figure I have a week to figure it out before something has to be done.

As hilly as it is where I live I think that if I don't put 100+ pounds in the rear I'll be walking home a bunch of times. We'll see...

no weight

just hankook ipike and some girly wheels

here's the details http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=50062

and my cars first snow last year
https://scontent-b-lga.xx.fbcdn.net/...72&oe=54D95B11

feeling that

pics or gtfo

Pics of me looking for them or once they are on the car?
I really need to get some shit onto Ebay and get it out of my sister's shed.
Do you think a set of 1974 Thrush chrome side pipes would be a good mod for my FRS?
How can I use a pair of brass plated valve covers from a 440 on a boxer engine?

Both. Bonus if you throw in some plumber's crack.

http://www.foodmayhem.com/uploaded_i...ack-740634.JPG

.

If you lived near snow "y'all" would know that every car manufacturer offers this in their winter tire package

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