I have some snow tires thati previously had balanced and installed, but I am interested in doing it myself this time. Is this as simple as changing a flat tire (except doing it four times)? Since theywere already mounted on a rim and balanced before, can I assume they are still balanced or do I need to check this balance periodically?

I know I need to make sure I tighten the bolts in the correct order. Should I tighten them as tight as I can by hand with a basic torque wrench? Any thing else I need to look out for? Any advantage at all to havinga shop do this?

 

I do my own rotations. Takes a little time but save $15 or so. They should be ready to go, just check the air pressure.

 

Your wheels should be torqued in two steps to avoid cracking the cast rim. 50 lbs first in a star pattern, and then up to 100 lbs the 2nd time, same pattern.

 

How bad is the 05-08 gt in the snow (1-6 inches) without snow tires? Is it do able or does it need to be parked most of the winter. This going to be my primary car. I will have the 3.55 or 3.73 gears. Does the traction control and better weight disribution help? I know the fox bodied stangs were a nightmare in the snow.

 

It can be done. It depends on the type of snow. Out here, we have a dry, powder type snow that is like driving through feathers. Heavy wet snows can be slick no matter if you drive a Stang or a Hummer. Snow tires WILL help, no debate about that. You can add weight in the trunk, but the most important advice is to slow down. You can drive racing slicks on ice if you go slow enough.

 

I drove a lot of winter miles in one o' them thar Fox Mustangs, and it was sometimes a challenge. However, I agree with GidyupGo, you just need to drive speeds dictated by the conditions. I only drove my 07 through snow a couple of times last spring, but it seemed to be fairly well behaved. I'm not expecting any problems. My 94 GT was great in snow, but I had a second set of mud and snow tires for winter - that helped a lot.

As a general rule, there's no reason why a Mustang can't be driven in the winter, if you so choose.

 

If you can, I'd suggest a beater for the winter. No matter how careful, you WILL leave skid marks in your drawers at some point IF you're driving in frequent snowfalls. If you MUST drive the Stang then I'd suggest dedicated snow tires and some self-training in a large parking lot after the first snowfallwith ample room to slide and spin to get a feel for how the Stang responds.

As far as wheel mounting, go to tirerack.com for some good, basic tutorials on lug torqueing methods.

 

Last weekend while on our way back from Missouri, we got snowed on. I dropped my wife off at the door of Walmart to get some cold medicine and while she was in there, I tried to spin out the stang in the parking lot. There was 4 inches on the ground, the temp was 27*, I tried to spin it out but it just wouldn't. I cranked the wheel, stomped it and got a little slid, but nothing I couldn't correct for. I was impressed.

 

I find this very unlikely. I can easily spin out by just steppin on the gas and trying a quick turn. I guess you just cant spin out, which is great for you.

 

Ive driven a two wheel drive s-10 through a heavy colorado winter and Im pretty sure thats the worst snow vehicle ever so by comparison I think my GT should be a treat [8D]