Yes, every car acts/handles differently. I like to put my vehicle (or new tires if I have them) through the paces in a controlled situation. That way, I know what to expect from both my vehicle and my tires and am not left holding the bag. I have a two wheel drive Chev Colorado. Last year, I just about rolled my truck when I hit black ice. I put a set of rear snow tires on it shortly after that and had very few miles on them. This year, I moved them to the front and put matching snow tires on the rear so that I had a set of four. I hit a couple of icy spots here in town and was surprised how squirrley that my truck acted. Of course I was on ice, but still!
do you test out a new car when it snows?
- Thread starter Dakota1820
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Yup, you aren't a good driver if you don't try to feel out your car and find out how it reacts, etc.
Now obviously you have to be smart about when and how you learn the car, but IMO it has to be done. Something no driver training teaches people in North America for some reason. Probably why drivers are so garbage here in general.
Now obviously you have to be smart about when and how you learn the car, but IMO it has to be done. Something no driver training teaches people in North America for some reason. Probably why drivers are so garbage here in general.
Originally Posted By: SLCraig
Yup, you aren't a good driver if you don't try to feel out your car and find out how it reacts, etc.
Now obviously you have to be smart about when and how you learn the car, but IMO it has to be done. Something no driver training teaches people in North America for some reason. Probably why drivers are so garbage here in general.
Agreed!!! I have to ask how would you say your Saturn and civics did in the snow? Did you notice a big difference in characteristics?
Yup, you aren't a good driver if you don't try to feel out your car and find out how it reacts, etc.
Now obviously you have to be smart about when and how you learn the car, but IMO it has to be done. Something no driver training teaches people in North America for some reason. Probably why drivers are so garbage here in general.
Agreed!!! I have to ask how would you say your Saturn and civics did in the snow? Did you notice a big difference in characteristics?
Yes but a half second at a time. I try to keep it a constant feedback for every storm. I don't have ABS so in the snow as I'm slowing I "stop short" at about 15 MPH to lock then unlock the wheels to see which wheels lock. They're different some times so I also know how it'll pull. 10-15 is the perfect speed as it's too slow to spin and it won't freak out any other cars that might see it.
In rotaries I push hard when there's no traffic (obviously) to see which end breaks loose first, and how. I nearly crowd the island in the middle so if I slide out, I have room. Keeps my skills sharp.
In rotaries I push hard when there's no traffic (obviously) to see which end breaks loose first, and how. I nearly crowd the island in the middle so if I slide out, I have room. Keeps my skills sharp.
Dakota,
We had an 03 Civic. The ABS worked well. The tires were really too wide and it was too low to the ground to be "good" in snow, but for what it was it worked for us for a few years. It would still have traction but beach itself because of the ground clearance, something that even snow tires can't fix. Steering was really neutral with a lot of understeer so it was easy to drive on snow/ice.
I definitely had it out in 8+ inches of snow a few times a year, and got it stuck more than once that I can remember.
That car (it was a manual) would get 40 mpg on the 350 mile drive from Milwaukee to Minneapolis. I don't miss cramming a kid into the backseat of that (it was a 2 door) but the mileage was great. Also, air filter is tiny and hard to replace, so take a look at that.
We had an 03 Civic. The ABS worked well. The tires were really too wide and it was too low to the ground to be "good" in snow, but for what it was it worked for us for a few years. It would still have traction but beach itself because of the ground clearance, something that even snow tires can't fix. Steering was really neutral with a lot of understeer so it was easy to drive on snow/ice.
I definitely had it out in 8+ inches of snow a few times a year, and got it stuck more than once that I can remember.
That car (it was a manual) would get 40 mpg on the 350 mile drive from Milwaukee to Minneapolis. I don't miss cramming a kid into the backseat of that (it was a 2 door) but the mileage was great. Also, air filter is tiny and hard to replace, so take a look at that.
My wife's Civic with 185/65/14's was incredible in the snow with Nokian WR's. Nokian WR's are now WR G2's which are an all-season tire with bias for winter traction and actually rated to be winter tires.
She would drive the speed limit on snow covered roads up to 10" deep, passing plow trucks, SUV's and pickup trucks to her medical job 40 miles away in the craziest storms.
My guess is your Civic's issue, cruddy tires in winter weather.
She would drive the speed limit on snow covered roads up to 10" deep, passing plow trucks, SUV's and pickup trucks to her medical job 40 miles away in the craziest storms.
My guess is your Civic's issue, cruddy tires in winter weather.
Originally Posted By: Dakota1820
Originally Posted By: SLCraig
Yup, you aren't a good driver if you don't try to feel out your car and find out how it reacts, etc.
Now obviously you have to be smart about when and how you learn the car, but IMO it has to be done. Something no driver training teaches people in North America for some reason. Probably why drivers are so garbage here in general.
Agreed!!! I have to ask how would you say your Saturn and civics did in the snow? Did you notice a big difference in characteristics?
I don't find either the Saturns or the Civic particularly good in the snow. They are both fairly light curb weights and with bad cross winds, sometimes I feel like I am going to get blown into the ditch. My Neon was good in the snow (a bit porky for its size) and my Altima was my next favorite car in the snow, a fairly big heavier car. (All have had snow tires)
Originally Posted By: SLCraig
Yup, you aren't a good driver if you don't try to feel out your car and find out how it reacts, etc.
Now obviously you have to be smart about when and how you learn the car, but IMO it has to be done. Something no driver training teaches people in North America for some reason. Probably why drivers are so garbage here in general.
Agreed!!! I have to ask how would you say your Saturn and civics did in the snow? Did you notice a big difference in characteristics?
I don't find either the Saturns or the Civic particularly good in the snow. They are both fairly light curb weights and with bad cross winds, sometimes I feel like I am going to get blown into the ditch. My Neon was good in the snow (a bit porky for its size) and my Altima was my next favorite car in the snow, a fairly big heavier car. (All have had snow tires)
I'm surprised you said that. I've been very impressed with my Saturn . Where I used to live in a hole basically my neighbors had a 05? Bonneville. It wouldn't go anywhere but the Saturn just climbed right out.
As soon as I got rid of the deadly Khumo Power Star's, our old Saturn did as good as any other front-wheel vehicle we've owned.
I've got my parents CRV while they are down south. It has stability control and I had to try it out in snow. Takes a while to get used to it "saving" you but it seems pretty idiot proof. I am surprised how easy the CRV gets sideways but controls/stops the slide with the ESC.
Originally Posted By: Dakota1820
I'm surprised you said that. I've been very impressed with my Saturn . Where I used to live in a hole basically my neighbors had a 05? Bonneville. It wouldn't go anywhere but the Saturn just climbed right out.
Well it does depend on the tires, for sure.
In a huge snow storm in 2006, my Altima was fine, other cars literally got beached on main roads, couldn't move. If I had my Saturn at the time, no doubt I'd have been stuck. Gotta figure the Altima had maybe a few hundred pounds per tire extra heft that a Saturn or Civic does not have. Makes for nice ability to cut through snow and get down to where you can actually make traction.
I'm surprised you said that. I've been very impressed with my Saturn . Where I used to live in a hole basically my neighbors had a 05? Bonneville. It wouldn't go anywhere but the Saturn just climbed right out.
Well it does depend on the tires, for sure.
In a huge snow storm in 2006, my Altima was fine, other cars literally got beached on main roads, couldn't move. If I had my Saturn at the time, no doubt I'd have been stuck. Gotta figure the Altima had maybe a few hundred pounds per tire extra heft that a Saturn or Civic does not have. Makes for nice ability to cut through snow and get down to where you can actually make traction.
I do. I don't do it find out how it reacts or anything, though. I know how to drive in the snow regardless of car. I just do it to see how much snow my cars can handle. This allows me to decide when I want to try and get out and brave the elements or stay home because I know my vehicles won't be able to handle the conditions.
For example, my Escape can handle snow up to about 12". More than that and I just wait for the plows before going anywhere. Less than that and I know I can go out and get around if need be.
For example, my Escape can handle snow up to about 12". More than that and I just wait for the plows before going anywhere. Less than that and I know I can go out and get around if need be.
I love playing in the snow and going on unplowed roads to see how good mine does
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