Winter Plans???
Thread Starter
1st Gear Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 138
From: MA
Well my little experiment regarding how long I can make it without winter tires is over. I went out really, REALLY late on Wednesday (think 1-2 AM) during the first storm of the week when no one was on the road to see how my pony handled, and it was manageable. I wasn't losing traction any more or less than anyone in a FWD vehicle. I went down 125 from the Lee traffic circle back to Haverhill, and by the time I got to Haverhill it was all rain anyways. 101 was unplowed at that point (went on it for two exits just to try out the highway roads), and it was pretty dicey. Max speed on 125 was 30, max on 101 was 40.
Last night, however, was a completely different story. Traction was terrible. I have a steep driveway, and it took me probably 30 minutes to get out of it. I have a stone retaining wall on one side, so there is very little room for error before you're sliding into the wall. Long story short, even starting out in 2nd gear was terrible. When there is snow deeper than 2 inches, I could barely control the car on a slope, even with 200 lbs in the trunk. So I am finally taking everyone's advice and buying snow tires. I ordered some Blizzak WS70s from Tirerack, and bought these 17" wheels with them (not my car in the picture, but it illustrates how it will look on my V6).
The order should be arriving at the installer by early to mid next week. Can't wait. I hate not being able to drive places when I want to! The second pic is how sad my Mustang is that I even tried to drive in deep snow without winter tires.
Last night, however, was a completely different story. Traction was terrible. I have a steep driveway, and it took me probably 30 minutes to get out of it. I have a stone retaining wall on one side, so there is very little room for error before you're sliding into the wall. Long story short, even starting out in 2nd gear was terrible. When there is snow deeper than 2 inches, I could barely control the car on a slope, even with 200 lbs in the trunk. So I am finally taking everyone's advice and buying snow tires. I ordered some Blizzak WS70s from Tirerack, and bought these 17" wheels with them (not my car in the picture, but it illustrates how it will look on my V6).
The order should be arriving at the installer by early to mid next week. Can't wait. I hate not being able to drive places when I want to! The second pic is how sad my Mustang is that I even tried to drive in deep snow without winter tires.
5th Gear Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,213
From: Boston, MA
When I started reading your post I expected the worst and pics of a broken 'stang. Glad to hear you the 'stang survived the weather. I have to say, it pains a bit seeing all the snow and ice on it. Good luck with the winter tires! I finally broke down today and put the blanket over mine for the long winter's nap...
2nd Gear Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 232
From: Methuen, MA
I know what that's like, Grim! The drive home that one night in my 'Stang with summer only tires was friggin' scary. I live on a hill, so the drive up was made mostly sideways at 5mph with traction control/stability control working overtime!
She's parked for now, but I don't have a cover yet since my leaky, rusty Eclipse has been a money pit (it kicks all sorts of *** in the snow, so it's not a total loss). I have to get the 'Stang to a body shop anyways to have that nick in the rear bumper from last summer fixed. Might as well do it now when I don't need it on the road, but I want to find a decent body shop first.
She's parked for now, but I don't have a cover yet since my leaky, rusty Eclipse has been a money pit (it kicks all sorts of *** in the snow, so it's not a total loss). I have to get the 'Stang to a body shop anyways to have that nick in the rear bumper from last summer fixed. Might as well do it now when I don't need it on the road, but I want to find a decent body shop first.
1st Gear Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 144
From: Massachusetts
Sorry for the scare, gents!
New wheels/tires are on! I'll get a couple high quality pics later, but this is what I took last night once they were mounted. My little pony now has its snow shoes on. Bring it on, winter!
New wheels/tires are on! I'll get a couple high quality pics later, but this is what I took last night once they were mounted. My little pony now has its snow shoes on. Bring it on, winter!
1st Gear Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 144
From: Massachusetts
Dang...that's too bad. The purchase was kind of a knee-jerk reaction after that last snow storm, though.
After having driven 200 miles on the new tires, I gotta say...they suck in the dry. I'm sure they still need to break in more (they say 500 miles), but they are by far the worst for handling that I've ever had. I'm sure they'll more than make up for it when more snow arrives, though. I will also completely admit that I've just been spoiled by the grip the stock performance package summer tires have. I took an off ramp about 10 mph faster than the "suggested" speed (the corner said 35 mph, I was going 45 mph), and it felt like I was floating into and out of traction around the corner. Weird.
And I know that winter tires are supposed to be soft, but holy CRAP these things are actually mushy. I can press in the rubber on the tread with my fingers. Kind of makes me want to avoid driving faster than 60 on the highway because I'm sure they'll wear away really fast.
After having driven 200 miles on the new tires, I gotta say...they suck in the dry. I'm sure they still need to break in more (they say 500 miles), but they are by far the worst for handling that I've ever had. I'm sure they'll more than make up for it when more snow arrives, though. I will also completely admit that I've just been spoiled by the grip the stock performance package summer tires have. I took an off ramp about 10 mph faster than the "suggested" speed (the corner said 35 mph, I was going 45 mph), and it felt like I was floating into and out of traction around the corner. Weird.
And I know that winter tires are supposed to be soft, but holy CRAP these things are actually mushy. I can press in the rubber on the tread with my fingers. Kind of makes me want to avoid driving faster than 60 on the highway because I'm sure they'll wear away really fast.
Last edited by Grim; Jan 7, 2013 at 06:49 PM. Reason: Added picture
1st Gear Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 126
From: Illinois
I am dangerously driving on summer tires since I just bought the car but I plan on getting them siped.
I have years of experience driving rear wheel drive cars in the snow so I just take my time or just not drive at all if it is icy out.
The biggest thing is the salt and sand. I worry about it corroding my car so I countered that by getting a unlimited supply of car washes with rust inhibitor at my local Delta Sonic. best 17 bucks a month. UNLIMITED CAR WASHES!
I have years of experience driving rear wheel drive cars in the snow so I just take my time or just not drive at all if it is icy out.
The biggest thing is the salt and sand. I worry about it corroding my car so I countered that by getting a unlimited supply of car washes with rust inhibitor at my local Delta Sonic. best 17 bucks a month. UNLIMITED CAR WASHES!
weather projecting in the 60s for the pats game 
2nd Gear Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 232
From: Methuen, MA
I need to get a cover ASAP. I took the Mustang to work today instead of the Eclipse and the radio display appears to have been damaged by the sun. There's a film of plastic dust on it. I wonder if that's covered under warranty?