Winter Driving Tip.
 

Been doing a fair bit of driving on snow covered roads. What I have discovered is that with decent snow tires, the FRS makes a decent snowmobile.

Besides the snow-tire bit that should be obvious, what I discovered is that you might want to consider going in and out of sport mode when dealing with snow driving conditions.

The traction control, when in full ON mode, does a great job of preventing the car from sliding out of control. I advocate keeping it on unless you are doing some deliberate hooning around. However, when trying to get moving from a stop in a slippery situation, say turning left on a busy road, it does too good of a job and while the car will move, the pace is going to be quite slow as it tries to prevent any and all wheel slipping. This is not a good thing when cars are aimed at your passenger door.

The car actually has good enough traction that it will get out of the way much faster if you go into sport mode.

Had an occasion to test this yeaterday going up to rattlesnake point where the road is a steep gradient with two 140 degree switchbacks as it climbs the hill. The road was snow covered all the way up. No issues in either full nanny mode or sport-mode, but while in nanny mode the car just craweld up at a walking pace, in sports mode you could actually get some speed. Traction was not an issue. This hill is actually pretty intimidating in summer when it is dry, so I have to say I was impressed!

I can confirm that the stock tires are TERRIBLE (read: hilariously fun) in the snow. They do a decent job on cold pavement, but on snow there's really no grip at all to speak of. With TC off, I was breaking loose at 30 MPH in the bottom of 4th gear :D

what "snow" rubber is on the car?

Running the Blizzacks. They only alst like two seasons before the magic goes away, but they are the best winter tire in my opinion.

Learning to love The Lemon? :D

Say "Hi!" to your wife from me, won't you? I've liked her ever since I read the note she left on the 'fridge. :)

yup! had blizzaks on a miata! lm-22's. before i got 'em, the car went nowhere in the white stuff! too damn light and zero traction! put the lm-22's on and the little (s.o.b) climb a f**kin' mountain! they made that much difference on THAT car, anyway. as mentioned,ya HAVE to use 'em on "snow covered" roads,or they just wear away!

LOL! She still calls the car a "Lemon", Me, I tent to think of it as a Lemon Drop Martini: It might be Lemon based, but still fun.:burnrubber:

It is fun. :)

Agree 100%...short life, but man they work good!

I quit the winter driving last week. Had absolutely no problems with the Chicago weather this year, then I did a 270 on a highway.

Driving 20MPH and the guy in front of me changed lanes, and my tires tried to followed his tracks. Missed the wall and nobody hit me.

I must say, I have been surprised at the snow ability thus far. I have an auto, and have never gotten stuck or spun out unintentionally. And we have had some snow!

Going back to the Saturn. Next year will get winter tires.

I can confirm that with full winters I have no issues driving this car in the winter. I'll have 8" of snow to drive home through tonight :)

I was up in PA for the big NE snowstorm earlier this year and had to do some snow-driving. Of course, I've got my Dunlop Winter Sports on, so it was a non-event.

I even hit a patch of black ice a few weeks ago, one that put an older Izuzu Trooper and another sedan into the guardrail. The Rav4 in front of me hit the brakes hard and changed lanes - I didn't realize why until I tapped the gas to get around him and felt the back come loose and the traction control kick in. Again, non event - the rear wiggled a little, then the tires stuck and I went on my way.

Seriously, winter tires. I'll never consider using an all-season again.

Pirrelli Ice Control, great tire.

Was the Traction Control on when this happened? So far, I have not managed to get the car to spin with the nanny in control.

You also need to e a brave man to drive this car in winter without winter tires.