Is this car traction limited for some reason?

[NOHOME]

Well, with winter here and the first few miles of winter driving, I have to declare this car to have less traction in the rear than what makes sense. Is there anything about the design of the rear suspension that would cause this condition? It is certainly worse than the Miata or a Pick-up truck.

As background, my 37 years of driving experience has been almost entirely with RWD platforms and the FRS has a set of Blizzack snow/ice tires.

So far, the traction control seems to keep things under control, but I have to wonder how it will feel going down the highway during blizzard conditions? Anyone further into winter conditions than me and have some real world experience to report?

On the plus side, since I can get away with it, it looks like the FRS is going to spend some serious (deliberate) sideways time while commuting during snowfalls!

[Eurasianman]

My guess would have to be due to the skinny rims, regardless that you have snow tires. If they're the same size as the OEM tire, then that would explain your limited traction, from what I've seen/read across the Internet. Then again, I do not know much about driving in snow as I live in the South and we get snow to where it makes driving difficult about once every 5 years or so.

[microbionic]

"Driving with snow tires"
"Do not drive in excess of 30 mph (50 km/h), regardless of the type of snow
tires being used."

Strait from the BRZ manual

[bestwheelbase]

Originally Posted by Eurasianman

My guess would have to be due to the skinny rims, regardless that you have snow tires. If they're the same size as the OEM tire, then that would explain your limited traction, from what I've seen/read across the Internet. Then again, I do not know much about driving in snow as I live in the South and we get snow to where it makes driving difficult about once every 5 years or so.

@Eurasianman careful what you read on the internet. Wider is not always better.

@NOHOME I've not been in snow but my seat time in an FRS was on a wet/slippery surface and it was plenty easy to slide the rear around. I imagine it will be like proper sports cars from the past... requiring a delicate touch in inclement weather (or a big grin while you hang it sideways!). Let's see some pictures of fun in the snow!

[bestwheelbase]

Originally Posted by microbionic

"Driving with snow tires"
"Do not drive in excess of 30 mph (50 km/h), regardless of the type of snow
tires being used."

Strait from the BRZ manual

I lol'd.

[NetMagi]

Originally Posted by Eurasianman

My guess would have to be due to the skinny rims, regardless that you have snow tires. If they're the same size as the OEM tire, then that would explain your limited traction, from what I've seen/read across the Internet. Then again, I do not know much about driving in snow as I live in the South and we get snow to where it makes driving difficult about once every 5 years or so.

Except for a few exceptions (vehicles designed to operate on top of the snow) narrower than summer tires is always better in the winter. You want a small contact patch with lots of the cars weight on it.

-Rich H.

[Eurasianman]

Glad I put in my post that I pulled the info from the 'Internet' :p

[Tanuki]

I drove mine yesterday in the blizzard here in Salt Lake City. I am ordering my snow tires this morning. Also remember that AWD is only going to improve power Traction. AWD has nothing to do with stopping power. Stopping power is entirely left to the tires on the car.

Oh, and plus 1 to the "Skinny is better" in snow comment.

[DarkSunrise]

Where's that guy who drove 60 mph on summer Primacy's through 2" of snow?

[Rayme]

Originally Posted by DarkSunrise

Where's that guy who drove 60 mph on summer Primacy's through 2" of snow?

Hopefully he crashed his car being that responsible

[CircuitJerk]

Weight is also key with the right tires.
I would say that since it's pretty light in the rear, adding some weight in the back will have a significant impact.

[OrbitalEllipses]

I've driven on stock tires in 40^F weather and felt the loose traction. Also driven on 205/50/17 Dunlop WS 3D tires in 55^F weather and felt the loose traction. It was strange; the tires were great on my WRX in the winter and I assume they'll perform great on this platform, but the first roundabout I took I felt and heard the rear slide out. Haven't gotten my salt or sandbags into the trunk yet though.

[BlaineWasHere]

It's the factory tune in the suspension, the stiffer rear spring induces "lift off" oversteer which means the car will oversteer even when off the power. It can be exacerbated with less available friction.

The traction control should be able to correct this easily on the highway, surface streets with tighter turns might give you some fits.

[carbonBLUE]

Originally Posted by NOHOME

Well, with winter here and the first few miles of winter driving, I have to declare this car to have less traction in the rear than what makes sense. Is there anything about the design of the rear suspension that would cause this condition? It is certainly worse than the Miata or a Pick-up truck.

As background, my 37 years of driving experience has been almost entirely with RWD platforms and the FRS has a set of Blizzack snow/ice tires.

So far, the traction control seems to keep things under control, but I have to wonder how it will feel going down the highway during blizzard conditions? Anyone further into winter conditions than me and have some real world experience to report?

On the plus side, since I can get away with it, it looks like the FRS is going to spend some serious (deliberate) sideways time while commuting during snowfalls!

the car does the same thing in the rain, at 10-20 mph you can drift forever, but me and a few members went on a cruise, we were doing 100mph through some of the sweepers on backroads in the rain, my traction light never came on

sometimes more snow the better, especially since you have good winter tires

give it time, take it slow

if you want to go fast, i would say try some rally cross to sharpen your skills, in the snow on blizzacks is like on dirt with knobby tires

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KfOEJ-HZ1-Q"]NÜRBURGRING Formula Race Car. ICE and SNOW. NORDSCHLEIFE. GRAND PRIX TRACK. ANDY GÜLDEN. - YouTube[/ame]

ill leave this here