Preperations for snow

[BullittSVT]

As some of you have felt already, snow is hitting the ground. It'll be my first winter season driving my Camaro.. I'm curious about anything I can do to make my car not slide off the road and keep better traction.

Before exploiting my RWD in empty areas.... I need help on deciding if snow tires are worth the investment and if there is anything I need to know on how my car will perform on the slippery surface. I've experienced how bad it is with rain, but snow is a whole different ballpark.

I know
- Add weight in the rear
- Keep salt/sand with you
- Accelerate/take turns slowly

[91chevywt]

Not sure what rims you are running, but if you have wide rims on the rear, they will do poorly on snow and ice especially if you have a performance tire. General rule of thumb, skinnier tires are better on snow and ice, and a snow tire will only make things better. Many people who drive their f-body year-round have a second set of winter rims for this reason, and also so their nice rims don't get messed up from whatever may happen along the way.

Also like you said, weight added to the back of the car will probably be the best thing you can do.

[The Fixer]

Do all that you mentioned, and try to practice 2nd gear starts, or short-shifting from 1st to 2nd so you don't spin the tires as much. Back in '85 my dad bought a new 2.8/5-speed Camaro and he was able to get around pretty well that way, and did for 7 years. IMO, snow tires are a worthy investment if you have to go far every day. If you only have a short commute on decent roads, GOOD all-season tires should be fine. I've DD'd quite a few RWD cars over the years and never ran snow tires, but I've never had a major commute (my job is 10 miles away). The list includes a '76 Monte Carlo, '96 Impala SS, '87 Monte SS, and an '86 Cutlass.

[coolmanvette75]

bridgestone blizzak=win! my mom has them on her g6.

ill be running my riken raptor zr summer tires this winter. wish me luck

[FlyingDutchman]

i ran bfg a/s 245s last year and they handled snow fine for a RWD posi. never had to start in 2nd didnt get stuck and abs rarely kicked in. now im runnin general uhp 275s, they spin more and slide alot, abs goes off alot, no big deal i just have to drive extra careful and avoid snow when i can.

[Anti_Rice_Guy]

Snow tires are definitely worthwhile from my friends with RWD cars, and Blizzaks are unanimously the favorite. If not, a good set of all seasons should be fine in most cases if you're careful. Light throttle and staying in a higher gear than normal helps as well. A set of stock skinny-ish wheels/tires will go a long way as well.

Originally Posted by TPI Monte SS

(my job is 10 miles away).

My high school was further than that from my house!

[BonzoHansen]

Originally Posted by 91chevywt

Not sure what rims you are running, but if you have wide rims on the rear, they will do poorly on snow and ice especially if you have a performance tire. General rule of thumb, skinnier tires are better on snow and ice, and a snow tire will only make things better. Many people who drive their f-body year-round have a second set of winter rims for this reason, and also so their nice rims don't get messed up from whatever may happen along the way.

Also like you said, weight added to the back of the car will probably be the best thing you can do.

this. a set of 16" beaters and 235/55/16 snows all around. just 2 makes for poor balance, FWD or RWD, dry and wet.

I never liked blizzaks as I thought they wore poorly but they may have improved on that in the past few years. they do work well with good tread.

[Blacdout96]

If you experience yourself in a skid, dont slam on the brakes, pump the brakes. also, find an empty parking lot, and trya few things to learn how to counter a slide, spin, or generally what the car cna withstand before losing control. buy/ borrow a few cones and set them up for certain actions like a 90* bend, or a small slalom( DONT be going 45 miles an hour in a parking lot. 15-20 mph is decent enough to get a basic start on stuff such as that, and even that is pushing it speed wise in the parking lot.)

[thunder]

i just keep 100 pounds in the back and a shovel as a plan B. Honestly its not the snow im concerned with, its the ice that scares me

[The Fixer]

Originally Posted by Anti_Rice_Guy

My high school was further than that from my house!

LOL! You know the towns in Bergen County have much smaller boundaries, with almost the same population. The school I teach in is 10 miles away, and I have to drive through 5 towns to get there.

[deadtrend1]

Originally Posted by coolmanvette75

bridgestone blizzak=win! my mom has them on her g6.

ill be running my riken raptor zr summer tires this winter. wish me luck

I just put a set of blizzaks on Bandit88's car.

Definetly add a little weight in the back. But the best option is to avoid going out if you dont have too. A wise man said to me if you don't make enough in one day to cover the deducible, then its not worth it. Dunno ho wmuch water that statement holds.

[S.J.SLEEPER]

EASY, keep it parked & you don't have to worry about sliding of the road !!!

[methdmx]

I drove home from work today for the 1st time in my bird in the snow. It's about 11 miles and there was 1/4"-1/2" on most of the roads. I still have my all season tires on (stupid weather never said anything about accumulation, just flurries.) I have a set of blizzaks mounted on salad shooters for the rear I'm going to put on this weekend. But, I just took it slow and didn't have any problems. I had to start in 3rd from a couple stops, but the car kept going (and straight thankfully lol.) I'll probably throw a weight plate or 2 over the rear next time they call for snow. Just take your time if you happen to get caught driving in the snow. Good luck.

[The Fixer]

I forgot to mention, you could also get one of these for the snow -

[alamantia]

A rock?

[BullittSVT]

A rock would do fine :P

Roads are clear for the most part, should be good for a week

[The Fixer]

Originally Posted by alamantia

A rock?

Not the rock - the brick-on-wheels in the driveway.

[BonzoHansen]

getting ready for snow:

1. buy eggs, bread & milk so you can make french toast around the clock.
2. fill the fridge full of beer
3. park the car in the garage.
4. empty the fridge 12oz at a time.

[coolmanvette75]

Originally Posted by BonzoHansen

getting ready for snow:

1. buy eggs, bread & milk so you can make french toast around the clock.
2. fill the fridge full of beer
3. park the car in the garage.
4. empty the fridge 12oz at a time.

i wish i could park my camaro in the garage, but there is a corvette in there already

[LTb1ow]

Originally Posted by BonzoHansen

getting ready for snow:

1. buy eggs, bread & milk so you can make french toast around the clock.
2. fill the fridge full of beer
3. park the car in the garage.
4. empty the fridge 12oz at a time.

Check, cept no bread, lots of steak
Check again, lots of beer
Check..


One at a time? pft, double fisting fo sho!

[Squirrel]

one lil bit of advice, dont total it.. its very inconvenient

[qwikz28]

Originally Posted by Squirrel

one lil bit of advice, dont total it.. its very inconvenient

I don't believe you. How would you know?