Will I survive this winter?

[humfrz]

Is there any problem using cable chains with the FR-S ...??

(besides being a PIA to put on .... )

humfrz

[FRiSson]

The FR-S is one of the best winter cars I have had. I say this with a caveat. Obviously because of the low clearance, you can't drive on deep snow.

The reason it is so good is the way that it telegraphs your grip and how predictably it responds. With front wheel drive, you never quite know whether it is an adhesion problem or an acceleration problem. With the drive wheels in the back, the front tires telegraph the adhesion, and the rear wheels allow you to respond with the throttle. No torque steer induced weirdness, no over-light rear end. And, since the car essentially pivots around its center (or pretty near to it) it doesn't tend to swing out from the ends. Overall an excellent winter car, if you don't take it into deep snow.

[bcj]

Had the FRS out in 1 inch of snow this morning and I aint'nt ded yet.
The all seasons worked well for what they are.
Took the long way around though and not over the hills.
Couple of slips that were easily corrected by letting off the throttle.

[amram]

Originally Posted by FRiSson

The FR-S is one of the best winter cars I have had. I say this with a caveat. Obviously because of the low clearance, you can't drive on deep snow.

The reason it is so good is the way that it telegraphs your grip and how predictably it responds. With front wheel drive, you never quite know whether it is an adhesion problem or an acceleration problem. With the drive wheels in the back, the front tires telegraph the adhesion, and the rear wheels allow you to respond with the throttle. No torque steer induced weirdness, no over-light rear end. And, since the car essentially pivots around its center (or pretty near to it) it doesn't tend to swing out from the ends. Overall an excellent winter car, if you don't take it into deep snow.

Interesting observation. After my very harrowing experience in the snow with the Bridgestone all seasons on tue evening, on wed before it all melted I experimented in an empty parking lot and some empty streets, unsettling the car and trying to catch it when it slid to get a feel for the dynamics of the car in the snow and in my limited time playing I found it very communicative and like you said it seems to pivot around its center. Very balanced. And by god what fun it was, almost sad to be soon switching out to winter tires, though I don't want to relive the harrowing part again either so it's for the best of course.

[Jertronic]

I've put 250 miles on my new set of Michelin X-Ice 3's 16's. I will give feedback later after the tires have worn in properly, but the initial impression is great in the snow, but squirmy on the highway. Squirmy as in it's hard to keep a straight line on center at highway speed.

[Mad1723]

I have to share my experience with winter driving so far:

The car loves to slide on tarmac, on snow it's just a hoot. I'm using Nokian Hakkapeliitta 7 winter tires, one of the best set of winter tires on the market and I still slide my ass around every corner.

The car is light and RWD, creating a lack of traction at the back very easily. I almost slid into someone entering a parking lot last week because I couldn't get any traction from the backend.

If you drive in real heavy snow like we have here in Quebec, I recommend getting some weight in the trunk and to get used to the way your car behaves when sliding and taking off. I'm able to take off from 1st gear without spinning the wheels, some people prefer going from the 2nd gear as the power delivery is longer, hence less chances of losing traction.

This car is a lot of fun, but remember that it is light and that it has a tendency to slide in the dry, so snow only amplifies that. It's safe to drive, just a bit more prone to oversteer. Managed to get almost sideways on a straight by hitting a bump under the snow when driving. You have to concentrate on your "butt feeling" of the car's behaviour.

And remember that snow slides, a lot. Drive slower and don't take ramps and corners as fast as you would in the dry. You might be the next one on the news.

Anyway, that was my 2 cents on my real winter driving so far. None of that 1 inch of snow that you guys get down south haha

[Suberman]

"A bit more prone to oversteer" wins my understatement of the year award.

I agree with the assessment of this car on snow or ice.

I'm trying out 90 lbs (40kg) of sandbags today on fresh snow. In the trunk, I have a compact shovel (designed in Quebec naturally) in case things don't work out so well.

If I survive I'll post my impressions.

I'm on four Sottozeros and, for severe winter conditions, I recommend studless winter tires like those top of the line Hakkas. Performance winters aren't quite enough for severe winter on this car.

[FRiSson]

Originally Posted by Jertronic

I've put 250 miles on my new set of Michelin X-Ice 3's 16's. I will give feedback later after the tires have worn in properly, but the initial impression is great in the snow, but squirmy on the highway. Squirmy as in it's hard to keep a straight line on center at highway speed.

This is my second year on X-Ice3's. They are much better after the first couple of thousand miles. They are terrific in snow and slush and the highway squirmyness has pretty much gone away. They still don't track nearly as well as the summer tires however, so you have to constantly adjust. But they don't feel loose at all. I am even happier than before with their performance at low to mid speed. In fact, they are kind of fun, since they can be induced to slip easily with the throttle.

[thill]

Loving my Blizzak WS-70's. We have had 12 snow events in December alone and I have had zero issues getting around, even before the plows have had a chance to clear side roads and some major roads. Traction is great with these tires and very easy to recover if the rear end starts to slide out.

[Suberman]

The only discernible effect was, as I expected, a slight increase in polar moment towards the rear axle (I placed the sand at the back of the trunk (against the seatback) to minimize this. That way the weight is over the axle and not lifting the front axle at all.

The car was slightly trickier to reign in when stepping out.

The effect on forward traction was precisely zero.

This is unsurprising since the factory weight distribution with driver has to be close to 50/50 (unladen is 53/47 f/r, but you can't drive an empty car.)

The "problem" is the Torsen diff is too tight. The snow tires I have on are fine as the braking and steering is normal (Sottozeros in 225/45x17 size). Also, the stability of the car once it starts to slide is exemplary. Catching the rear axle is child's play if you are experienced at winter driving. Judging how much throttle to use to sustain or end the slide is very easy. The electric power steering is superb. You can twirl the wheel as rapidly, slowly and precisely as you need to.

The only real trouble with this car on snow is lack of straight line grip. That just had to be the Torsen. Nothing else could affect only the straight line grip.

Just by the by anyone with an automatic and TC fully off tried winter mode? Do you get good traction then because that starts the car off in second gear, softens the shift speed and I think slows down the throttle response.

[Jertronic]

Originally Posted by FRiSson

This is my second year on X-Ice3's. They are much better after the first couple of thousand miles. They are terrific in snow and slush and the highway squirmyness has pretty much gone away. They still don't track nearly as well as the summer tires however, so you have to constantly adjust. But they don't feel loose at all. I am even happier than before with their performance at low to mid speed. In fact, they are kind of fun, since they can be induced to slip easily with the throttle.

This is good to know. I figured this might be the case. If the new alpin A4's came in my size I would have got those. Looking forward to wearing the X ice's down a little.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[theurbaninja]

I've got Hakkapeliittas' as well and couldn't have said it better myself. Careful fun is probably a good way to describe it.

[jonboy99]

Originally Posted by amram

. And by god what fun it was, almost sad to be soon switching out to winter tires, though I don't want to relive the harrowing part again either so it's for the best of course.

No need to be sad, this car will still slide on request (and often when you don't) even with winter tyres. It is much more fun than with summers as you can expect it to be easily catchable as opposed to the standard summers when it is just unmanageable.
It is by far the most fun winter car i've ever had (at halfway sane speeds at least) and that includes my STi.

[jonboy99]

Originally Posted by Jertronic

This is good to know. I figured this might be the case. If the new alpin A4's came in my size I would have got those. Looking forward to wearing the X ice's down a little.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I've got the same tyres and have had just the same experience as you - probably done only a thousand klicks on them though. It bothered me for the first few days, but then you just get used to it - the less grip and stability this car has, the more fun it seems to get! I imagine when the summers go back on it will feel like a formula 1 car (albeit a very slow one).