Looking for tips on winter driving
#21
Best advise I can give is if it's a bad storm, just don't do it. I made it through our worst winter in a decade last season with my Fit. I'm not complaining- it handled it fine. But I put it through some challenges I had no business doing. And in the name of what, work? They sure wouldn't give a shit if I wrapped up my Fit just to get to the office. Never again. If it's one to four inches, fine. But six and up- stay the hell out of it. And while I made it through two blizzards literally in the middle of them, the Fit did very well holding the road. The biggest problem with the Fit is snow getting in the wheels and REALLY throwing the car out of whack with a wicked shimmy. It's the open design of the wheels. That's why deep snow is a no-no in this car. Other than that, you'll be suprised at how well the Fit handles it.
And it's just around the corner again. Good grief.
Dan
And it's just around the corner again. Good grief.
Dan
I'm facing my first NY winter, and will be traveling Maine, with my car and deciding on a set-up.
Steel wheels - good snows. Size to rolling distance of OEM Sport.
#22
Related question:
So "moon"-style full wheel covers would work better than open-spoked wheels in the winter because they have less chance of going up any holes in the wheel?
Yes we don't get winter here but the discussion here's pretty interesting.
So "moon"-style full wheel covers would work better than open-spoked wheels in the winter because they have less chance of going up any holes in the wheel?
Yes we don't get winter here but the discussion here's pretty interesting.
#23
Dan
#24
Very good advice here. I have to prepare for another Wisconsin winter and the ridiculous amount of salt used on the roads. The front windshield has been fogging up with slight temp changes and it's summer so I can only imagine how it'll be in the winter..
#25
Just get good snow tires. I've been through many snow storms in FWD cars and never had much trouble with snow tires. There is a DRASTIC difference between snows and even the best all-season tires. All-seasons are almost worthless in snow, IMO, and nobody should comment on winter driving until they've tried snow tires.
#26
although i do prefer the more closed face of a steel wheel, i do like having the ability to push out the mush once I arrive at destination.
#28
Snow tires are bit on the pricey side and annoying to install. I was thinking of some light snow chains. The manual that came with the fit recommend one particular brand due to the low ground clearance. any thoughts on that? I personally have never installed snow chains myself, but i imagine there is less labor involved.
#29
Snow tires are bit on the pricey side and annoying to install. I was thinking of some light snow chains. The manual that came with the fit recommend one particular brand due to the low ground clearance. any thoughts on that? I personally have never installed snow chains myself, but i imagine there is less labor involved.
#30
aww poop...
Vehicle & Traffic Law - Vehicle Equipment
(a) The commissioner may establish standards for the manufacture, regrooving or retreading of tires which are produced or sold in this state, and for the use of tires on vehicles operated in this state.
(b) No tire shall be manufactured, distributed, offered for sale or sold in this state if it does not comply with the standards established by the commissioner pursuant to paragraph (a) of this subdivision. A violation of this paragraph shall be punishable as a misdemeanor.
(c) No person shall operate a motor vehicle or a trailer on a public highway if such vehicle is equipped with tires that do not meet the standards established by the commissioner pursuant to paragraph (a) of this subdivision.
35-a.
It shall be unlawful to operate a motor vehicle or trailer equipped with tires having metal objects protruding from the tire tread upon any public highway. The prohibition contained in this section shall not apply to pneumatic tires containing metal type studs, the diameter of which studs inclusive of the stud casing does not exceed three-eighths of an inch and which do not protrude beyond the tread surface of such tires more than three thirty-seconds of an inch and the contact area of which does not exceed three-fourths of one per cent of the total nominal contact area of said tires determined by multiplying the circumference of the outer most edge of tread times the tread width, except that no vehicle equipped with such tires, other than school buses and state or municipally-owned vehicles, may operate on a public highway during the period from the first day of May to the fifteenth day of October, inclusive.
continued... blah blah blah blah blah
Vehicle & Traffic Law - Vehicle Equipment
Tires
35. Tires.(a) The commissioner may establish standards for the manufacture, regrooving or retreading of tires which are produced or sold in this state, and for the use of tires on vehicles operated in this state.
(b) No tire shall be manufactured, distributed, offered for sale or sold in this state if it does not comply with the standards established by the commissioner pursuant to paragraph (a) of this subdivision. A violation of this paragraph shall be punishable as a misdemeanor.
(c) No person shall operate a motor vehicle or a trailer on a public highway if such vehicle is equipped with tires that do not meet the standards established by the commissioner pursuant to paragraph (a) of this subdivision.
35-a.
It shall be unlawful to operate a motor vehicle or trailer equipped with tires having metal objects protruding from the tire tread upon any public highway. The prohibition contained in this section shall not apply to pneumatic tires containing metal type studs, the diameter of which studs inclusive of the stud casing does not exceed three-eighths of an inch and which do not protrude beyond the tread surface of such tires more than three thirty-seconds of an inch and the contact area of which does not exceed three-fourths of one per cent of the total nominal contact area of said tires determined by multiplying the circumference of the outer most edge of tread times the tread width, except that no vehicle equipped with such tires, other than school buses and state or municipally-owned vehicles, may operate on a public highway during the period from the first day of May to the fifteenth day of October, inclusive.
continued... blah blah blah blah blah
#31
well dont forget, when you turn with momentum, there's a bit of forward sliding before actually turning when on snow, so the inside of the wheel still has a possibilty of getting snow lodged in.
although i do prefer the more closed face of a steel wheel, i do like having the ability to push out the mush once I arrive at destination.
although i do prefer the more closed face of a steel wheel, i do like having the ability to push out the mush once I arrive at destination.
Might come in handy someday if by luck I get to visit my family in Seattle one Christmas.
I'm definitely agreed on dedicated, siped snow tires too.
#33
I've got this for snow
Though as far as a FWD car goes.. don't drive crazy, don't do any hard braking. If you're moving don't do any hard accelerating.. though living in the mountains you learn.. there are times to floor it and get those tires spinning. Only way to learn when.. is to experience it.
Though as far as a FWD car goes.. don't drive crazy, don't do any hard braking. If you're moving don't do any hard accelerating.. though living in the mountains you learn.. there are times to floor it and get those tires spinning. Only way to learn when.. is to experience it.
#34
Snow tires are bit on the pricey side and annoying to install. I was thinking of some light snow chains. The manual that came with the fit recommend one particular brand due to the low ground clearance. any thoughts on that? I personally have never installed snow chains myself, but i imagine there is less labor involved.
#35
4 Winter Tires are a Must!
Watch these really informative videos about how importance it is to have four winter tires on your vehicle:
- YouTube - Winter Tire Demonstration - Module 1 of 6
- YouTube - Winter Tire Demonstration - Module 2 of 6
- YouTube - Winter Tire Demonstration - Module 3 of 6
- YouTube - Winter Tire Demonstration - Module 4 of 6
- YouTube - Winter Tire Demonstration - Module 5 of 6
- YouTube - Winter Tire Demonstration - Module 6 of 6
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3m24bjkfg0
Please, share your thoughts on these videos, thanks.
Last edited by fit.sport; 09-11-2010 at 06:28 PM. Reason: AfterThought
#36
Watch these really informative videos about how importance it is to have four winter tires on your vehicle:
YouTube - How Effective is Stability Control
Please, share your thoughts on these videos, thanks.
- YouTube - Winter Tire Demonstration - Module 1 of 6
- YouTube - Winter Tire Demonstration - Module 2 of 6
- YouTube - Winter Tire Demonstration - Module 3 of 6
- YouTube - Winter Tire Demonstration - Module 4 of 6
- YouTube - Winter Tire Demonstration - Module 5 of 6
- YouTube - Winter Tire Demonstration - Module 6 of 6
YouTube - How Effective is Stability Control
Please, share your thoughts on these videos, thanks.
Last edited by p nut; 09-21-2010 at 11:34 AM.
#37
I have a 2010 sport w/automatic. Being as the car is pretty low to the ground and I don't have a remote starter or an overdrive option, was wondering what some of you suggest for the coming winter months on the road.
What are your tips for driving through snow, icy roads?
How about dealing with frozen shut doors? I imagine it will happen.
Please post your comments for all to see. I’m sure there are a lot of people curious.
What are your tips for driving through snow, icy roads?
How about dealing with frozen shut doors? I imagine it will happen.
Please post your comments for all to see. I’m sure there are a lot of people curious.
i bought another set of wheels with new tires mounted (no TPMS) from tirerack.com car drives like a AWD car in the snow. amazing.
#39
I haven't had any problems driving out here on the prairie where the wind blows all winter long. Sheesh. Winter's just around the corner. How annoying is it to have the TPS light on all the time? Or is it on all the time? I've been thinking about a set of winter tires but don't want to have to take it to the dealer to rejigger the TPS.
#40
1. disable that vsa crap in a snowstorm
2. go 50 mph
3. pull ebrake firmly
4. observe
5. control the slide
6. become one with the snow
7. regular driving becomes a non-challenge
8. become iritated by other drivers not power sliding in snow
9. beat your wife in frustration
10. ???
11. Profit!
2. go 50 mph
3. pull ebrake firmly
4. observe
5. control the slide
6. become one with the snow
7. regular driving becomes a non-challenge
8. become iritated by other drivers not power sliding in snow
9. beat your wife in frustration
10. ???
11. Profit!
Last edited by Lyon[Nightroad]; 09-22-2010 at 07:24 AM.