Biggest thing is simply drive very cautious and watch the rear end doesn't slide out in turns. Between my current Stang and my previous, I've driven the last 7 or so winters in Mustangs.

 

I spent the last two winters on the original pirellis and this will be my first winter with michelin pilot sports. Going uphill in snow can be a pain and a few slips here and there. I haven't unintentionally gone sideways in the snow yet. I haven't had grip issues driving on cold roads either. No extra weight in the trunk. Just going a little slower and paying extra attention to everything going on around me.

This has been a mild winter in Massachusetts, nothing like last year. I think if I had dedicated snow tires I might be a little less careful.

I want to drive a wrx in the snow to see what it's like. I'm sure I would get shot down if i pulled up to a dealer and wanted to go for a test drive in a snowstorm.

 

I bought my Mustang this past summer and had intentions of driving my 04 Escape in the winter. My wife decided she could have new flooring if we sold the Escape so I was left driving my Mustang this winter. I ended up buying some Blizzack LM-70's size 225/55-18. I had some aftermarket rims on my Escape that I kept and mounted these Blizzacks onto. The tires really have made all the difference in the world and I feel nearly as confident driving my car as I do our Imprezza with cheap chinese winter tires. The only day I left the Mustang at home was after our one big dump of snow this year, and even then I likely would have been fine. The only other thing I have done was load a economy tune for less throttle response and throw two 50lb bricks of lead in the trunk.

One note on the tires, these Blizzacks are definately not performance tires. They do not inspire a lot of confidence in corners compared to a performance winter tire. I knew this going in and thought it wouldn't be a big deal but next time I think I will find some that are a bit more performance based.

 

Hey guys, thanks for the quick responses!

I came to Germany about halfway through March last year. Didn't see any snow in Schweinfurt, so I'm sure you should be pretty good by the time you get your car. Definitely by the time you get back from leave. I get home around June, so we'll have to do a meet-up and cruise! I'm planning on driving to the UK at some point. lol.

I did see something on the Dunlop 3D's, but everything I've been looking at has said that the X-Ice2s are the best winter performance. It's good to see a review on these. Have you tried the XI2s? I do plan on having sand/gravel/etc in the trunk, because every bonus is something I'll need for my first winter I think. And unfortunately, no wife. lol. Just the mustang.

I'm from Texas, so winter driving has never really been my thing. I'll definitely just have to take it very slow until I get a feel for it, I suppose.

Is this a custom tune you requested? The only tunes I have were simply performance with different octanes... and since Germany has odd fuel stations, I pretty much have to run a 93 octane tune.

I don't think I've seen anything about chains for stangs until this post. How much of SHTF are we talking about here? lol.

 

One of my brothers lives in Texas now, and he said it is really dangerous on the streets when they get an occasional snow - much worse than in Michigan or Wisconsin and the first snow of the season.

The tune is simply set up for 92 octane rather than 93, so "detuned" which makes a little less RWHP and torque.

 

I can't say a bad word about my Bilzzaks but I also can't imagine the Michellins being bad. I run the base 17" GT wheels and the stock tire size for those wheels in the winter winter and store my 18"s with the regular tires on them. I don't think Germany's winters are going to me much worse than the Mid West and I have no issues with the Stang in the winter here in Ohio.

 

I drive my Stang all winter long. Although this has been a very mild winter by Maine standards, there's still snow and ice accumulation on the roads.

I have studded Firestone Winterforce tires in size 235/55/17 and the car runs nice. With the ice we get, I consider studs a must.

Other than that, I can suggest starting from either 2nd or 3rd gear when needed for traction. You really shouldn't need anything more than a good set of tires.

I may suggest going with a conservative tune on your CAI as well.

 

I have a set of Blizzaks and have nothing bad to say about them. It was an amazing difference. I haven't even put weight in the back yet. They were well worth the cost.
I do still need to find an extra set of wheels - Im not looking forward to swapping rubber back and forth.

 

why? you mean if the police are watching?

having the rear end step out, or even getting good and sideways, is not crashing... learning to be comfortable when the car is sideways is part of driving RWD in the snow.