Weight in the trunk for winter driving

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by aghuman

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.

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!

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by extrashaky

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.

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!

[Ultramaroon]

so, both you guys, are those 16s?

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by CoupedUpSubie

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.

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!!!!!

[Burrcold]

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

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by Ultramaroon

so, both you guys, are those 16s?

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.

[CoupedUpSubie]

Originally Posted by Ultramaroon

so, both you guys, are those 16s?

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

[Ultramaroon]

Originally Posted by Burrcold

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

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.

[Ultramaroon]

Originally Posted by CoupedUpSubie

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

Are those your spare rims?

[CoupedUpSubie]

Originally Posted by Ultramaroon

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.

[Ultramaroon]

Originally Posted by CoupedUpSubie

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

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by extrashaky

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.

Forgot to point out my pimped out valve stem covers!

[aghuman]

Originally Posted by CoupedUpSubie

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.

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.

[aghuman]

Originally Posted by Ultramaroon

so, both you guys, are those 16s?

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