liability only? and you want to drive in the snow with it? honestly man that is a huge gamble right there.
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how do you guys drive it in the snow?
- Thread starter Mbraga92
- Start date
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So you keep the fire and theft on the Mustang throughout the winter months and insure the beater with just the basics in order to drive it? I guarantee that you'll pay less for basic PLPD on the beater and comprehensive on the Mustang throughout the winter months than you will full coverage on the Mustang throughout the summer months. Not to mention, most companies will give you a discount for multi vehicle policies.
You seem to be trying really hard not to take our advice here. Advice that you asked for might I add!. About everyone in this thread is telling you not to drive your car in the winter. Do you think maybe we might just have a point?
...and if you've got another $10,000 in the bank to play around with after the purchase of you're Mustang you don't have any plans for, then you'd be an outright fool not to spend a couple thousand on a winter car. If not just to save your Stang from the cold starts and the salt damage alone!
Don't let being a cheapskate now cost you your car, or worse yet your life or someone else’s this winter.
hey man thats not what i was trying to do. I came here asking for advice on how to drive it in the snow. People do drive their mustangs in the snow. If you dont drive it in the snow, why bother posting if you have no experience to share when you did drive it in the snow? And if you do have experience with dedicated snow tires and other methods you would use, Post it. No disrespect to any of you because you all have more experience with a mustang than me considering i dont own one yet. Thanks for all your advice so far though.
stangGT97
New Member
I drove my '97 in 1 Massachusetts winter and 1 Ohio winter and then I traded it in for my Jeep, which was one of the best decisions I have made to date. Trust me and trust others when we say "Don't do it!" You will be taking a very large (and unnecessary) risk by driving a car with that much torque and rear wheel drive in the snow. We're talking basic preservation of life here.
Edit - if you are hellbent on doing this: start off in 2nd gear, minimum throttle just to keep from stalling. Put weight in your trunk (100-200lbs), and find some crappy narrow steel wheels to mount snow tires on. That should get your going in light powder. Ice? Forget it, call out sick.
Pearl02
Member
You will definately need snow tires. You might also look into getting some V6 mustang wheels. I believe you should be looking for a 15 or 16 inch wheel with a taller tire. Have the snow tires mounted on thoses wheels. I rarely drive my car during the winter. As you can see a have a Mazda B4000 2 wheel drive that I use. I have a set of snow tires for it. It gets around great during the winter. Do so more research and good luck. Pearl02.
I didn't say I didn't have experience, or advice to offer. As a matter of fact, if you re-read what I said in post #9, you'll see that I've got plenty of winter driving experience…some of which was attempted in a Fox Mustang. My experience is as follows….If you can managed to even get it out of the driveway, its going to be tail happy in a strait line....even with weight in the back. That is of course until you attempt to negotiate a sharp corner where you might actually be able to use its tail happy nature to your advantage. But it’ll fool you once again, because the front end (and as a result the rest of the car) likes to continue in the direction you were originally heading, regardless of which way you’ve got the wheels turned.
The slightest uphill grades are going to require some major maneuvering and approach speed if you want to do anything but slide backwards down them into the car behind you and the slightest downhill grades are going to require a lot of prayer to hope that you catch some loose gravel or bare pavement by the time you reach the bottom to stop you before you end up using a hydro pole, or worse yet another vehicle to do the stopping for you. Narrow wheels, snow tires and weight out back are only going to prolong the inevitable. The fact remains that this will only save you during the first inch or so and even then only when you’re able to cut through the fresh stuff into something with a little grit to it. Once the cold and slop starts doing its job, you might as well start using “The Force” to guide your ride.
Mustangs are ****…I repeat, total **** for winter driving and doing so should be avoided at all costs. All this being said, you still choose to ignore this advice and unnecessarily take the risk, so be it. I’ll be here, waiting for your “I just totaled my Mustang” thread some time this winter.
If this sounds a little harsh, it’s meant to. I can tell your right now that you’re in over your head just based on the fact that this is your first car and of all vehicles you’re choosing to learn with, you choose to drive probably the worst Ford has to offer during your first winter outing. So, that being said…I’ve said my peace and you’ll not have to worry about me mucking up your thread anymore with facts or logic. Do your thing man. Good luck!
I didn't say I didn't have experience, or advice to offer. As a matter of fact, if you re-read what I said in post #9, you'll see that I've got plenty of winter driving experience…some of which was attempted in a Fox Mustang. My experience is as follows….If you can managed to even get it out of the driveway, its going to be tail happy in a strait line....even with weight in the back. That is of course until you attempt to negotiate a sharp corner where you might actually be able to use its tail happy nature to your advantage. But it’ll fool you once again, because the front end (and as a result the rest of the car) likes to continue in the direction you were originally heading, regardless of which way you’ve got the wheels turned.
The slightest uphill grades are going to require some major maneuvering and approach speed if you want to do anything but slide backwards down them into the car behind you and the slightest downhill grades are going to require a lot of prayer to hope that you catch some loose gravel or bare pavement by the time you reach the bottom to stop you before you end up using a hydro pole, or worse yet another vehicle to do the stopping for you. Narrow wheels, snow tires and weight out back are only going to prolong the inevitable. The fact remains that this will only save you during the first inch or so and even then only when you’re able to cut through the fresh stuff into something with a little grit to it. Once the cold and slop starts doing its job, you might as well start using “The Force” to guide your ride.
Mustangs are ****…I repeat, total **** for winter driving and doing so should be avoided at all costs. All this being said, you still choose to ignore this advice and unnecessarily take the risk, so be it. I’ll be here, waiting for your “I just totaled my Mustang” thread some time this winter.
If this sounds a little harsh, it’s meant to. I can tell your right now that you’re in over your head just based on the fact that this is your first car and of all vehicles you’re choosing to learn with, you choose to drive probably the worst Ford has to offer during your first winter outing. So, that being said…I’ve said my peace and you’ll not have to worry about me mucking up your thread anymore with facts or logic. Do your thing man. Good luck!
Appriciate the advice. Thanks.
mustang50v8
Member
i have had 3 cars in my life. a 1994 v6 mustang, a 2004 GT, and a 1999 cobra. all of them daily drivers, all of them my only car. i live in the chicago suburbs, and winter sucks, but i still truck through them in my mustangs. i have never had traction control in my stangs. the cobra does have it, but it doenst work, i actually prefer to not have it on actually anyway.
edit: btw, my tires are 245/45/17 blizzak ws-50's
this is how i did it last year.
edit: btw, my tires are 245/45/17 blizzak ws-50's
this is how i did it last year.
When I get home tonight I will post some amazing pics I took while driving in the snow.
I have driven in near white out conditions with 2-3" on the gound.
I run BFG KDWS tires. I would like to have a set of dedicated snow tires but that is expensive so I run a good all season tire all year long.
I have driven in near white out conditions with 2-3" on the gound.
I run BFG KDWS tires. I would like to have a set of dedicated snow tires but that is expensive so I run a good all season tire all year long.
My Cobra is my dd and only vehicle. Arkansas winters are very mild, we usually get only one or two small snows (an inch or so) a year. That being said, it still sucks. And a note on the insurance. I got my Cobra when I was 18. I paid for it in full. Liability is like $230 every six months. I'm in the process of getting a beater, insurance on it will be around $100 every six months. Through Farm Bureau liability is the same regardless of the vehicle you have. I can have a 09 GT and it'd be the same. You'd notice a difference with full coverage, but liability is a flat rate. That's something to check into. Some may call me crazy for having only liability on my car, but full coverage would have been $1200 every six months. I've driven for a year and a half with no problems, so that's saved me $3k. When the time does come, I can assure you that although I may hate it, I'll be money ahead. I'd listen to these guys, I absolutely hate having to plan around the weather. It doesn't matter how good of a driver you are, how good your tires are, or anything else like that. There are so many out there who don't know or don't have the right setup and they can quickly wipe out your pride an joy. I was in your shoes, and after one winter I decided that wasn't for me and I'll have a cheap beater by this winter.
I am driving a 2000GT convertible year round here in Colorado. Like you I don't want to pay insurance on an extra car, but also don't have room for a beater. I put the Blizzaks on the stock wheels (got 245/45 17's though I hear a skinnier tire is better) and got some Bullitt wheels for summer tires. The most important thing I have found is to use gentle inputs on gas, steering, and brakes. Pay close attention to RPM's as a sudden rise indicates rear wheels spinning. Don't screw around as once you lose conrol you will probably hit something. Traction control can help, but sometimes I have to turn it off so the car does not fight against me starting out from a dead stop on ice or snow. Lesser cars will have their way with you, just let them zip by and remember the fun you will be having come summer. Don't follow too close, anticipate stops. Now even though we get plenty of snow here it is usually only on the streets for a couple or three days after a storm. If your streets stay snow packed for weeks at a time you may want to consider another car.
If it snowed...my mustang would stay parked until the roads were clear...even with snow tires. Just wasn't worth it to risk some jackhole sliding into the rear of my car.
SADL-UP
Member
I live in Massachusetts, commute ~125 miles (round trip) per day, 5 days per week. I have owned my stang now for almost five years. It is my only car and I drive it every where I need to be. I have never had snow tires on the car as the all seasons have always sufficed. The key to driving a mustang around in the winter is to not drive it like a mustang. I can't say it has been easy but if you plan ahead/think ahead then you can get by just fine. I can't afford a winter beater so I have to make do with the mustang in the winter.
Now, to answer your original question, here are a few things that have helped me through the winter:
1. Plan Ahead - this includes leaving early for work so you can drive nice and slow. Also, if there is flexibility in you schedule, leaving work early is a good idea too because there will be less people to contened with on the road.
2. Keep a full tank of gas. This will keep more weight on the rear wheels and buy you some time (heat) if you do get stuck.
3. Avoid hills - I have driven 3-4 miles out of my way to avoid getting stuck on a hill. This is true especially if there is a traffic light or stop sign that you will have to stop for on the incline.
4. Take advantage of rolling stops. Not that I am encouraging running stop signs but if it is safe to do so, roll through the stop, keeping some momentum. This will make it much easier to gain traction when trying to accelerate.
5. All of your movements should be as if you are trying to avoid setting off a motion sensor Gas and brake pedals should be used very gently and very smoothly.
6. Keep a shovel and sand/salt in the trunk. Not only are they useful tools but they add more weight to the rear for traction.
7. Keep a rope/chain/straps in your trunk as well. That way if you do get stuck someone with a 4x4 might be able to lend a hand.
8. Be smart
9. Be defensive
10. Always have a "Plan B"
Now, to answer your original question, here are a few things that have helped me through the winter:
1. Plan Ahead - this includes leaving early for work so you can drive nice and slow. Also, if there is flexibility in you schedule, leaving work early is a good idea too because there will be less people to contened with on the road.
2. Keep a full tank of gas. This will keep more weight on the rear wheels and buy you some time (heat) if you do get stuck.
3. Avoid hills - I have driven 3-4 miles out of my way to avoid getting stuck on a hill. This is true especially if there is a traffic light or stop sign that you will have to stop for on the incline.
4. Take advantage of rolling stops. Not that I am encouraging running stop signs but if it is safe to do so, roll through the stop, keeping some momentum. This will make it much easier to gain traction when trying to accelerate.
5. All of your movements should be as if you are trying to avoid setting off a motion sensor
Gas and brake pedals should be used very gently and very smoothly.6. Keep a shovel and sand/salt in the trunk. Not only are they useful tools but they add more weight to the rear for traction.
7. Keep a rope/chain/straps in your trunk as well. That way if you do get stuck someone with a 4x4 might be able to lend a hand.
8. Be smart
9. Be defensive
10. Always have a "Plan B"
Flghtmstr1
Member
There's a lot of good advice in here. I have had my Mustang for 4 years now, and I drive it year round in Pennsylvania winters. The first year, I attempted to get by with all-seasons, but that was a mistake. I never crashed or got stuck, but it was a white-knuckle ride every time there was snow on the ground. If it was icy, the car could barely move, even on flat, level terrain. So I ponied up for some Blizzaks, and they were worth every penny. Now, I don't fear the weather, and I in fact look forward to snow. So, I repeat, snow tires are a MUST. Other than that, you can keep some weight in the back if you want (I don't), and treat the throttle and brake pedals as though there were eggs underneath. Also, turn traction control OFF if your car has it. It was not designed for winter driving, and the owners manual recommends that it be turned off if the car will be driven in snow or ice.
But you proved it just now :/ The car isn't "tail happy," you just don't know how to drive on reduced traction. Anyone who's ever driven a pickup in the winter has figured that one out. There are things you know, and there are things you don't. This is one of those you don't.
Seriously, it isn't that hard to drive a Mustang in the winter. I do it every year, and have been doing so for a long time. I'm not the only one. Here in MN, I might be the only V8 Mustang running around in my area, but certainly not the only RWD vehicle out after a snow.
Tires are key. Just about any all seasons will work the first winter. Narrow is better than wide, but if you are buying winter-specific tires, you'd want snow tires. What you DON'T want is a summer tire - they are useless in winter because the rubber compound gets rock-hard and slippery at freezing temps.
If you don't get more than a few inches of snow where you live and the roads don't stay icy from December to March, you might not need snow tires. All-season tires have a better rubber compound for cold weather, and some, like BFG KDWS's are pretty good tires the rest of the year, giving up winter ability compared to other all-season tires. But if you have to drive to work on snow-covered roads, snow tires are worth it.
A couple bags of cat litter in the back, a shovel, hat and gloves, and you're set. The cat litter is for weight and traction on icy parking lots. The weight is surprisingly helpful. So much easier to handle and more stable with just 50-60 pounds in the trunk as far back as it will go.
Seriously, some of the "helpful" posts in this thread are ridiculous.
The traction control on a Mustang is not going to help you get going on ice. It works far better at highway speeds for when you hit a patch of ice - it helps you keep the car on the road. However, if you try to use it from a stop on a slick surface, it will actually prevent you from being able to get going properly. It's trying to stop the wheels from spinning at a time when you don't mind if they spin a little bit. Keep it off for going from a stop if it is slick out. Turn it on if you won't be stopping for a while. You DO want it on when driving at highway speeds on potentially icy roads.
