Winter

[FRiSson]

Originally Posted by Ionian32492

Yeah, mine's getting locked away in the garage unless we somehow get as mild of a winter as we did last year (doubtful). No second car for me (and no money for snow ties + steelies) though, I'll be abusing the MBTA, and my feet, December onward.

Keep in mind, those summer tires are hazardous at temperatures below 40.

Tire Rack tested them vs all-season and dedicated snows in 2009.

Here are some of the results on a snowy surface:

0-60 mph
Winter tires - 19.1 seconds
All-season - 22.9 seconds
Summer tires - 69 seconds

60-0 mph
Winter tires - 156 feet
All-season - 184 feet
Summer tires - 351 feet

Even in dry conditions, if the temperature dips close to freezing, the summer tire compound will harden like bubble gum left outside.

So if you keep your car inside in the winter, you'll need to keep it inside except on the warmest days.
Summer tires - 69 seconds

Tire Rack test: http://www.edmunds.com/car-reviews/f...vs-summer.html

[CharlieChaos]

I am going to find roof racks put my snowboard on top and drive the car with stock tires until I have an issue. If I dont have enough traction I will go the snow tire route.

[M-17]

Originally Posted by Sony

Only because 4WD drivers think they are invincible...not because 2WD is better in the snow. Sorry, but your little Colorado would never make it through some of the stuff my 4WD Tacoma would/does. It's all about not being stupid and trying to drive through a 4 foot snow bank...or knowing when it's appropriate to use 4Lo and having proper tires. Most people just think OH I HAVE 4WD, LET ME DRIVE OVER EVERYTHING WITH NO CARES IN THE WORLD.

I two years ago I drove home 2 hours in that huge blizzard we had in January at 3am before the plows had a chance to clear it. There was a least 18" of snow on the highway and I was able to comfortably drive 55mph home in 4WD for 80 miles, I doubt your 2WD Colorado could have done that without fishtailing. I'm not trying to criticize your driving ability, but your observations of 4WD vehicles getting stuck more often than 2WD has nothing to do with the vehicles themselves...but the drivers who drive them and their mentalities. Having 4WD leads people to have a misleading sense of safety and capabilities, for example someone with 4WD is more likely to attempt to barge through a large snowbank and get stuck because they thought "I HAVE 4WD I CAN DO THIS" than someone with 2WD looking at the same snowbank. 2WD is not more capable than 4WD...if this were true than every single off-road vehicle in existence is doing it wrong.

I pretty much agree what you said. Driving the best and the safest way through bad snow days relies on how well the driver acts.

With that being sad, the part I bold reminded me when an old friend of mine and his s10. He didn't care how bad the weather got he'd would just go out and drive his truck into or over snowbanks. He would always show me the damage he'd done to his truck when he did that and liked it as if it was something to brag about. SMH. Anyway, I thought I share that.

[Mobius357]

I should'a added a smily to indicate some sarcasm, wasn't trying to say 2wd is better, just poke some fun at 4wd drivers. I also had a 4wd toyota pickup, it was stable as a billy goat, but I live and work in the seacoast so 2wd does the job. My truck is good for 6-8 inches so of heavy and 'round a foot of lighter snow. You're definitely wrong about my truck fishtailing in 18 inches but... cause you can't really fishtail if you're not moving, heh. The Ranger I drove was flat out horrible though, a constant fight to keep a straight line in just a few inches.

Anyway, car, truck, 2 4 or awd, it's really down to picking your battles. As long as someone drives sensibly and keeps the speed down, I think these cars will do just fine in the winter, as good as any other 2wd car.

[FRiSson]

Originally Posted by CharlieChaos

I am going to find roof racks put my snowboard on top and drive the car with stock tires until I have an issue. If I dont have enough traction I will go the snow tire route.

In my experience, the ordinary laws of physics and man do not apply in Rhode Island. Everything is different, surprising and interesting in that state.

[CharlieChaos]

Originally Posted by FRiSson

In my experience, the ordinary laws of physics and man do not apply in Rhode Island. Everything is different, surprising and interesting in that state.

Its so true RI is strange we sorta do out own thing.

Fun Facts Rhode Island was the first of the 13 original colonies to declare independence from British rule, declaring itself independent on May 4, 1776, two months before any other colony. The State was also the last of the thirteen original colonies to ratify the United States Constitution.

[jmaryt]

Originally Posted by Shizuma

It always confuses me why people make it out to be that bad driving in snow, especially with this car since it's not like it has a ton of torque to break loose the rear end that easy anyways, I drove my Dodge Magnum on ultra high performance all season tires in the winter for all 8 years I owned it with no problems, and that was a RWD car with a V8 that had 390 ft-lbs of torque. I honestly have zero concerns of driving my BRZ in the winter.

where you are, you could actually get away with "all-seasons" if you are careful,and can get OFF the roads,BEFORE the heavy wet stuff hits! i have the luxury of being retired,so i don't HAVE to be on the road as part of any commute,so i am going with the "turanzas" that scion is putting on the snow belt cars now.i will pick up mine next week.

Originally Posted by Sovran

My plan is to buy some 16" snow tires (probably Michelins for better tread life) with dedicated steel wheels, load about 120lb of something in the trunk (potting soil, fill dirt, etc), and drive with my brain adjusted properly. I don't usually have to go to work in storms anyway, so I'm not worried.

i think this is key! not having to go to work,and getting,and staying OFF the roads when the storms hit can make a huge difference!

Originally Posted by gily25

No matter what you decide to do...snow tires, weight, etc. your best bet is going to be picking an empty parking lot beforehand (streets will probably be plowed already) then head there when there's some snow on the ground and really finding out what the limits of the car are for basic winter driving. Learning to control a skid in a rwd car and resisting the urge to brake (downshift instead) are key to winter driving (aside from tires). No matter what tires you have if you slide a little bc you brake and slide you're now going to have to deal with the packed snow you created.

Keep in mind...you could be the best driver in the world...it's other people you have to worry about.

this is very true! it's the reality you have ''zero" control over unfortunately!

Originally Posted by jflBRZ

like others have already mentioned, studless winter tires and you are good to go.

these are excellent for heavy snow conditions,but you must keep in mind,your ground clearance in this car is only 4.9 inches,and heavy wet snow can "pack" underneath,and "lift" the car off the road,thus,leaving you stuck!

I've gone through 5 winters with all-seasons on 18's on an E46, this will be a piece of cake as long as you don't go crazy on the road when it's snowing/icy.

yes it can be done,but you MUST keep your speed down on the highways,and
just tap your brakes,while downshifting,this should get you home! if you want, ,or HAVE to venture out in heavier snow,you definitely WILL need dedicated snow tires.

[Shizuma]

Originally Posted by jmaryt

where you are, you could actually get away with "all-seasons" if you are careful,and can get OFF the roads,BEFORE the heavy wet stuff hits! i have the luxury of being retired,so i don't HAVE to be on the road as part of any commute,so i am going with the "turanzas" that scion is putting on the snow belt cars now.i will pick up mine next week.

I suppose, but I had also driven in the middle of a blizzard with my Dodge Magnum with all season still with no problem. Now I could see needing snow tires if you lived in the middle of no where, where they don't plow much and there are several inches or more of snow on the roads often, but I've never seen the roads like that since I've been driving, and if I was living in a spot like that a sports car, RWD or not, wouldn't be my daily drive in the winter.

[jmaryt]

yes! i totally agree! a car such as a dodge magnum has satisfactory "ballast" in that it is a heavier car,and the more "ballast" you have in slippery conditions,the better off you are.
the weight creates "traction" which with proper throttle control, will be sufficient to keep you moving even when equipped with (a.s.) tires.the roads around andover,and salem get plowed virtually right away,so it is possible if your timing is right, to travel around satisfactorily in a "heavier" car. not so sure about the frs,because it is a very light car,and even with "nannies" could be a "bear" venturing out with (as) tires.i'll bet the "nannies" may make a difference though, if one is careful! we'll see!

[Shizuma]

Actually overall Lighter cars are better for snow driving, yes heavier cars have more weight to push down on the tires to get traction, however they also need proportionality more traction to get that extra weight moving, plus heavier cars are harder to stop and more prone to slide off the road because their mass keeps them moving more so than a lighter car, at worse case I would say the BRZ will be the same in the snow, but really i'm pretty sure it will be better in the snow than the Magnum was.

[jmaryt]

well i don't agree,however i am hoping the car will be "satisfactory" in light snow travel,so i can get home if i get caught in a nasty one! it's all i am concerned with,get home,and let the plows do their thing! i really don't want to have to spend $1,000 or so for a good set of dedicated snows,but in reality,it's what truly needs to be done to travel under snowy conditions in THIS car! actually,the trick is to get back before the storms hit anyway! he! he! he!

[FRiSson]

Originally Posted by jmaryt

yes! i totally agree! a car such as a dodge magnum has satisfactory "ballast" in that it is a heavier car,and the more "ballast" you have in slippery conditions,the better off you are.
the weight creates "traction" which with proper throttle control, will be sufficient to keep you moving even when equipped with (a.s.) tires.the roads around andover,and salem get plowed virtually right away,so it is possible if your timing is right, to travel around satisfactorily in a "heavier" car. not so sure about the frs,because it is a very light car,and even with "nannies" could be a "bear" venturing out with (as) tires.i'll bet the "nannies" may make a difference though, if one is careful! we'll see!

It is not the weight itself, but the amount of weight divided by the surface area of the tire patch. If you take a 5,000 lb car and put the weight on a 200 square inch tire patch, that is equivalent to a 2,500 lb car with a 100 square inch tire patch. Both will "cut through the snow" to the same degree. In fact a 30 pound bicycle with a 70 lb child will "cut through the snow" better than either.

However, all other things being equal, the 2,500 lb car will behave much better in the snow as it has far less mass and requires less force to stop.

[jmaryt]

"ballast",or weight is required,regardless of how it is distributed when traveling in heavy snow.if this was NOT true,then we would have the (frs) plowing snow in the winter? as such,it IS the reason why you see 10 wheel dump trucks "loaded" with "tons" of sand in the back for traction,because if they didn't do this,they WOULD get stuck,and your road would NOT get plowed! the frs should be ok in the light stuff,anything heavier,and you can bet the house,i won't be out in it for the reasons already given,no weight, too damn light,AND the possibility of snow packing up under it,raising the ass end off the ground.
the car is too light,and as such,IF you stop moving,especially in heavy wet snow,it will be very difficult to get moving again,with out dedicated snows. again!..if the snow is light,i don't see an issue,but ANYTHING heavier,and time to call a hook!..just sayin' (b.t.w.) requiring less brake force doesn't mean much,if you cannot get moving in the first place!

[FRiSson]

Originally Posted by jmaryt

"ballast",or weight is required,regardless of how it is distributed when traveling in heavy snow.if this was NOT true,then we would have the (frs) plowing snow in the winter? as such,it IS the reason why you see 10 wheel dump trucks "loaded" with "tons" of sand in the back for traction,because if they didn't do this,they WOULD get stuck,and your road would NOT get plowed! the frs should be ok in the light stuff,anything heavier,and you can bet the house,i won't be out in it for the reasons already given,no weight, too damn light,AND the possibility of snow packing up under it,raising the ass end off the ground.
the car is too light,and as such,IF you stop moving,especially in heavy wet snow,it will be very difficult to get moving again,with out dedicated snows. again!..if the snow is light,i don't see an issue,but ANYTHING heavier,and time to call a hook!..just sayin' (b.t.w.) requiring less brake force doesn't mean much,if you cannot get moving in the first place!

I think it would be unwise for you to outfit your FR-S with a plow. Though one should never underestimate the obtuseness of a New Hampshireite. After all, it is the only state in the union where you can get a license plate that says both: "Live Free or Die" and "Ex-POW".

A plow requires heavy weight because it needs the momentum to break push heavy drifts of snow. That is not the issue for a small car. However, your advice is sound. If you do decide to fit a plow to your car, you should ballast the hell out of it.