How I didn't crash is beyond me

[RevvdMedia]

Winter and Mustang don't mix period. Surprised some people think they do. V6 maybe, but otherwise forget it. It is like playing Russian Roulette.

I have driven my GT daily since I took possession in March 2015. This includes the last 2 months which the roads have been snow covered. I picked up Nokian Hakka R2's for all 4 corners and I'm running them on the factory wheels. I haven't had a single issue driving this car in the winter, and it feels no worse for traction than a FWD car. Using throttle when taking sharp corners will cause the back end to slide, but not at all uncontrollable with moderation, and the stability control does a good job. Turn on snow/wet and it dumbs down the throttle enough to make wheelspin a non-issue.

I would say those who think you can't drive RWD in the the winter just lack winter or performance car driving experience. It's more than manageable in modern cars, just leave the nannies on if you're scared. Winter tires have come a long way, and those are the single biggest contributor to winter traction.

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[Rogues Gambit]

First off, glad you're okay OP, just be careful from now on

Personally, I was foolish and though it was gonna be a snowless winter, but then there was an inch or two, so I'm hoping the PS4 bundle I got for My Birthday/Xmas sells soon so I can use that and my weekly check to get Conti's DWS6's and get them put on to boot

 

[HoosierDaddy]

Every UK Mustang comes with summer tires... we have about 5 sunny days a year over here... not great by Ford!

They are "summer" tires, not dry weather tires. They are actually good in the rain. But they don't like the cold, dry or wet.

 

[73MachI]

You aren't kidding. First thing I'm doing when I go home is buying a set.

Good for you! It's a wise man that learns a lesson.

 

[lazarus870]

Even slightly above 50 degrees F here, I still spin my wheels slightly making a left hand turn when the tires are still cold and that's with barely any throttle. I shift into second as i make the turn.

I'm surprised you were driving on those Pirelli tires in 20 degree weather!
Glad you're OK, but some more appropriate tires please.
I'm going to switch to Michelin Pilot AS/3 tires here very soon as it's often wet but seldom snows and I have a daily driver.

 

[rubyinla]

I'm still in shock of what happened, but I'll explain. About an hour ago I left for work, got on the highway, cruising in fourth gear around 45 mph. Truck in front of me in the left lane, nobody in the center lane and bus in the right lane. The light go yellow and the truck slams on the brakes in front of me, mind you guys its 20 degrees and snowing and I have the performance pack. Anyways, I swerve to the center lane and give it some gas and the car just loses all traction and starts to spin to the left almost like a rainbow around the truck and heads straight for the guard rail. I slammed on the gas and turned the wheel to the right and the car just whipped to the right and did a 360 before coming to a rest. The bus driver pulled over and stopped and I pulled off to a parking lot to catch my breath. I've had this car for 4 days. Still can't believe what just happened.

Another good example of why a dash cam is a good idea. Glad your experience only resulted in heavy breathing :hail:

 

[BmacIL]

Glad you're ok OP. Also glad you're going and putting the right tires on the car for the conditions.

To those that think Ford is being "irresponsible" by equipping the PP with summer tires, you're not thinking. It's irresponsible for YOU to drive in that type of weather on those tires, as it states in the owner's manual. The PP wouldn't be worth much without a decent set of shoes in the dry/warm weather, and they certainly aren't going to start changing what they sell the car with for part of the year. Not only would they not do it for cost/complexity reasons, but also, what if a car in Minnesota gets delivered to the dealer in March, but doesn't sell till May/June? I'm pretty sure that prospective owner would want the performance summer tires to make the most of the performance pack they bought in the warm months. For those that don't, pay to play, and take some personal responsibility of the 4000 lb missile you have the privilege of driving down the road.

 

[paul123]

...
To those that think Ford is being "irresponsible" by equipping the PP with summer tires, you're not thinking. It's irresponsible for YOU to drive in that type of weather on those tires, as it states in the owner's manual. The PP wouldn't be worth much without a decent set of shoes in the dry/warm weather,

my point is that a majority of Mustang owners are not going to pay attention to tire technology, and they aren't going to read the Owners Manual and they aren't going to attempt 1G lateral grip in their new car, nor 60->0 in 106 ft, or whatever the number is.

And the salesman is not going to explain summer tires in NY / Idaho winters. Assuming even they pay attention. And I bet they don't. Only that PP is an extra $2400 option, commi$$ion.

What buyers are going to do is buy a Mustang with "Performance" because more is better, and has name brand brakes on huge front rotors.

So Ford could easily just one-size-fits all PP A/S tires, and let the real enthusiasts swap their tires as needed.

 

[BmacIL]

my point is that a majority of Mustang owners are not going to pay attention to tire technology, and they aren't going to read the Owners Manual and they aren't going to attempt 1G lateral grip in their new car, nor 60->0 in 106 ft, or whatever the number is.

And the salesman is not going to explain summer tires in NY / Idaho winters. Assuming even they pay attention. And I bet they don't. Only that PP is an extra $2400 option, commi$$ion.

What buyers are going to do is buy a Mustang with "Performance" because more is better, and has name brand brakes on huge front rotors.

So Ford could easily just one-size-fits all PP A/S tires, and let the real enthusiasts swap their tires as needed.

Those rotors and calipers are useless without grippy tires. The base GT brakes are more than enough for an all season. The brembos and the big rotors are there for some increased initial bite but primarily fade resistance.

Ford isn't and shouldn't be liable for owner's ignorance of something relatively basic like the type of tire on the car, particularly when they provide warning on the door jamb and in the manual. When do we stop protecting people from being ignorant? I don't care that some people don't care about tires. Operating a motor vehicle isn't a game or a toy that has no potential consequences to you or to others. You are supposed to educate yourself. I have zero sympathy for owners that don't do this.

 

[paul123]

Those rotors and calipers are useless without grippy tires. The base GT brakes are more than enough for an all season. The brembos and the big rotors are there for some increased initial bite but primarily fade resistance.

I realize that you need summer tires (and 70F + temps) to take advantage of the Brembos. However most people are buying more on fashion and "cool". My bet is that Ford could put on A/S tires and most PP buyers wouldn't know the difference. Only way they would know is when Car and Driver tests the car, and publishes the numbers. And those tests are done in warm sunny climates on a nice day. Not 30F with snow and drizzle.

 

[Rogues Gambit]

I bought the PP knowing it had summer and I know its my own fault I haven't changed them yet.

It's not like it doesn't state it online, and I doubt anyone whose able to go online can't read (Writing is another story), so Ford and the sales people aren't truly liable for your decisions

 

[5ABI VT]

Everything I wanted to say has been said already. Glad youre ok. This could have been around the 7-8th accident ive seen on here and facebook of guys smashing their new cars on the summer pirellis.

If you didnt know.. the actual rubber compound of a summer tire hardens, and that is why the tires wont grip. it doesnt have everything to do with tread pattern etc like many believe. Its like running on the ice at a hockey rink with dress shoes with wooden soles. Thats how you need to treat summer tires in the cold.

 

[zxd9]

You mean irresponsible of the buyers!
Always easy to put blame on someone else instead of taking responsibility!
People know that they are getting summer tires with PP and should change their tires to snow tires in the snow states. Especially with RWD cars!

If people drive with summer tires in winter I have no sympathy what so ever and if they DARE try to sue Ford? I say throw it out of court before it's HEARD!

I picked up a GT/PP in Mid-Dec in GA. Wasn't specifically looking for the PP but liked the color and figured the PP would be a nice addition. I asked the salesman and loan guy, both mustang owners, if it had summer tires on it and they both said NO. So...dealers don't always know what they're talking about either. I was misled either intentionally or due to lack of knowledge of the product they are selling.

While we don't get snow much here it can get cold. Last night we took our son out for his bday. It was 28 when we left to come home. Spun the tires at the 1st stop light in Normal mode. Put it in Snow/Wet and once they warmed up on the way home (45 mile drive) I felt more comfortable. They definitely have little grip when below freezing.

 

[DanDglassman]

You guys ease up on the OP. He's now got a better appreciation of how quickly things can go south, and no one was hurt.

I've had my car for four months longer than the OP and am still getting to know the limits of the car. I've been surprised on dry pavement with my 19" A/S in 39* dry weather at 50% throttle in 2nd gear.

This is my third and definitely most powerful Mustang. In college I had a '91 LX 5.0 and could be all kinds of stupid without ever feeling like I lost control. I had that car sideways and could always control with throttle and counter-steering. I had a 5400# supercharged F150 and felt the same way. I don't feel that same (yet) with my '15 GT.

The stock A/S don't seem to give me enough warning at the limit, AND the limit seems to change drastically with tire temperature. This is also the first car I've owned that can spin tires in 2nd gear, and things happen much faster at those speeds. I've been very respectful of the power and look forward to learning the limits of traction.

To the OP, chalk it up as a serious lesson about the capability of your vehicle in those conditions - glad the only thing hurt was your pride. Although a little 'preachy,' the comments so far are sound... best of luck and enjoy your new Mustang.

 

[5ABI VT]

You guys ease up on the OP. He's now got a better appreciation of how quickly things can go south, and no one was hurt.

I've had my car for four months longer than the OP and am still getting to know the limits of the car. I've been surprised on dry pavement with my 19" A/S in 39* dry weather at 50% throttle in 2nd gear.

This is my third and definitely most powerful Mustang. In college I had a '91 LX 5.0 and could be all kinds of stupid without ever feeling like I lost control. I had that car sideways and could always control with throttle and counter-steering. I had a 5400# supercharged F150 and felt the same way. I don't feel that same (yet) with my '15 GT.

The stock A/S don't seem to give me enough warning at the limit, AND the limit seems to change drastically with tire temperature. This is also the first car I've owned that can spin tires in 2nd gear, and things happen much faster at those speeds. I've been very respectful of the power and look forward to learning the limits of traction.

To the OP, chalk it up as a serious lesson about the capability of your vehicle in those conditions - glad the only thing hurt was your pride. Although a little 'preachy,' the comments so far are sound... best of luck and enjoy your new Mustang.

Agree 100%. This isn't he easiest car to push hard for me either. It's heavy, and does have a good amount of power. I found stock, all the flex in the suspension pieces made the car really difficult to handle because even in second I was feeling the suspension wiggle/move and I could spin sometimes at top of second . I've tried sliding it around in 1st and it was pretty predictable but in second I personally feel it's all the soft suspension bits (why I changed a lot of stuff all at once with coil overs) struggling with the weight and power to keep the car in check. On my favorite on ramp that I crush going to work on weekends (toll highway 5 lanes wide and empty in the early mornings) I always try to handle a 2nd gear slide coming out of the turn and once in the rain I managed a good bit in 3rd but wiped out pretty badly and almost spun twice. I have only tried it once since the suspension changes because it's cold now and winter and i have all seasons on it but the car handles INFINITELY sharper, with no hop, wiggle, jiggle, steer on/off power and the weight is controlled very well by the coilovers. World of a difference.

Little off topic but yes I agree not trying to be harsh op if you can learn from these experiences you are getting better as a driver

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