Learn to drive!

Best snow car I ever had was my 86 buick century. 92 hp, 3spd auto, 175/70/40 tires (or something close to that, they were narrow), and rear suspension geometry that completely unloads the rear end under braking. To turn quickly in snow you maintain a steady throttle and dab the brakes, swing the back end in an opportune direction, and guide the 10mph drift with subtle application of throttle and steering. More throttle to straighten out, more steering to keep the back end out. I was the Scandinavian flick master in that car. Only time I got stuck was when I slid the front end a little to close to some tightly packed snow and ended up with the front wheels off the ground.

Second best was my caravan, but on good tires it would only hold stable four wheel drifts. Good for bad drivers, not much fun for me. You had to really toss it into a corner to get the back end out and that usually involved speeds a little to high for snowy public roads. It was also top heavy enough that I feared going off sideways even at slow speeds could result in a roll.

On topic, Dayton Ohio doesn't really get that much snow but the whole area shuts down with even a light dusting. It snows every year and no one ever figures out that all you really need to do is slow down.

My Liberty was ok the first winter,got it in Nov, on it's stock Goodyear all seasons. The first snow the next year I almost went of the road. Bought four snows. It still is touchy in 2 wheel drive, so when it snows I put it in 4wd. I still would rather drive the ZX2 with 4 Blizzaks. Drove 5 hrs in a snow storm up to north VT, my daughter couldn't understand why I drove the ZX2 instead of th Jeep.

JeepinMatt wrote: Two inches of snow down here in NC and everything is literally shut down I likes what what you said 'bout dem Jeeps

here in Asheville ( mts... we're suppose to know how ) they call off school if there is snow predicted.... we seldom get any ( not just much ) but any snow anymore but they still call off school at the mere thought of snow...

back in the day, we had student drivers (hs jr's and sr's) and they just put on chains and went on .... now with adult drivers ... no go.... (to many lawyers I guess)

The last snow we had, my wife had to show 4 people at her office how to put their own SUV's into 4WD!!! Just because it's 4WD , doesn't meen the driver knows how to shift a transfer case

I'm a little concerned about if I have to take the new truck out. '05 Dak with optional 17"s and some A/Ts

these will have to do for this winter, hopefully w can find some 16" steelies for proper studded snow next winter.

But the bed is weighted down with 420#s of sand.

Down here, I just go to Denny's and watch the idiots remember (half way across the bridge) that bridges freeze first.

When I got my learners permit in HS my Dad took me up to WI and taught me to drive on the frozen lake. It was raining, about 34 degrees and he had a 69 Charger with a 383 and a 4 speed that you banged you knuckles on th dash when you shifted into third. I learned that if you plant your foot firmly upon the accelerator, you go nowhere - quickly. Once I learned how to get going, I learned that if you plant your foot firmly upon the break, It is a long way to the other side of the lake and you get to do that sloooooowwwww pirouette.

Then I moved to the Dallas area where the whole world shuts down if it starts to snow. I hate showing up to work and the boss couldn't be bothered to call before to say we weren't going to be open.

I can't wait for the first snow to fly here in Indiana or maybe my trip to Detroit this weekend. I put a new set of UHP all-seasons on a couple months ago, and they perform great on dry and in the wet. I just want to see how they are in the snow.

4eyes wrote: The last snow we had, my wife had to show 4 people at her office how to put their own SUV's into 4WD!!! Just because it's 4WD , doesn't meen the driver knows how to shift a transfer case

Years ago, I came across a guy trying to push his honda out of the snow on the side of the woods. It was snowing hard and he had just missed a tree. With his G/F in the driver's seat, he and I Got the car back onto the shoulder and I was just shaking his hand when a ford Explorer came barreling in. If we had not jumped out of the way, the ford would have squashed one or more of us into the tree it hit.

This was a straight road mind you.. no curves or corners.

So, we get together and try pushing the lady in the exporer out and are getting nowhere when she leans out the window as asks "should I put in 4 wheel drive?"

I wish I could make this stuff up

mad_machine wrote: So, we get together and try pushing the lady in the exporer out and are getting nowhere when she leans out the window as asks "should I put in 4 wheel drive?"

I would have walked away. I would have told her to put it in 4WD and walked away.

I just picked up a Forester so I'm really looking forward to this winter. I hope we get LOTS of snow.

Miata is in winter storage now in PA. My brother just bought a 4WD Ranger, so we're set if we need to go somewhere.

Also, this will be my first winter in NYC. I can't wait to see how these shiny happy people handle winter up here! New York sure gets snow, but New Yorkers are the worst drivers on the planet.

(I get to walk to work, so I'm free and clear.)

I think you will find that unless NYC gets 4 feet overnight... things keep right on chugging.

confuZion3 wrote: Miata is in winter storage now in PA. My brother just bought a 4WD Ranger, so we're set if we need to go somewhere. Also, this will be my first winter in NYC. I can't wait to see how these shiny happy people handle winter up here! New York sure gets snow, but New Yorkers are the worst drivers on the planet. (I get to walk to work, so I'm free and clear.)

It doesn't stop us, we just go a little slower and use more horn

My crown vic with barely any tread tires on it was a great winter car. EVERYONE said i would get stuck and the i would spin and the rear end was so light that i would get no traction spin the car and die a painful death but that never happened.

I drove 10K miles in the think from november through summer and winter was nothing. Its all about the driver, no doubt about it. I did fine and so did the car (without ABS even due to a short)

Too many people get dumb in inclement weather.

BUT, crown vics are a blast in the winter too. Having the tail hang out for a quarter mile is soooo fun. spinning and sliding is a blast if you get bored.