Winter driving

[R3v]

All year daily driver here. Also, don't forget to put on proper tires, I use Michelin Pilot Alpin PA4. And take some pictures!

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[skinnysaurus]

Hey everyone!

First of all, I'd like to introduce myself as this is my first post. I currently do not own a Mustang, but a friend of mine does, and he is responsible for igniting my newfound obsession with this vehicle.

Before I can proceed with this new interest, I must first determine whether or not it's possible for me to use this car as an all-year-round method of transportation. I live in Montreal and the winters can get quite harsh (very cold and lots of snow). Can you guys help me??? And please, be honest!!

Thank you!

I'm in the Northeast about to find out as this will be my first winter with the car. I'm going to order a set of Continental DSW06 All seasons on stock PP rims. I had Continentals All seasons on my last car as well and they never failed or stranded me. They say the DSW 06 Conti All seasons outperform the DSW tire so I'm feeling pretty confident. Fingers crossed.

 

[dgc333]

I picked up my S550 January 10, 2015 just in time for the worest winter in Boston's recorded history.

The Mustang with proper winter tires and using snow mode is as good as anything I have driven in New England winters in my 40+ year driving history. Unless the snow was more than 5" deep on the road I didn't even bother to use my beater 4x4.

 

[Pa-fatboy]

I haven't driven the mustang in winter, being down here in Florida, but knowing how I can break traction sometimes just on rain slicked roads TC

Florida? ...shhhhhh...

I am in Pennsylvania, which is a lot like Florida except we have hills, baby mountains, snow, ice and cold weather. Another difference from Florida is the median age of our drivers in the winter time. I can speak for Florida because I did live there for 3 years. I also visited the theme parks 4-5 times while living in the north. I lived on the Golf Coast, Waaaaaaaaaaaay down in southern Florida, just horizontally across Alligator Alley from Miami. I drove a 1978 Triumph Spitfire as my DD. My biggest automotive regret is selling that car.

OH, Sorry... Winter Driving! The only real different from Florida other than the minor points above is the age of the drivers and the typical car. A LOT of drivers in Florida, which does impact winter driving, it's their winter years at any point, is the Q-Tip hazard followed by the Hat Hazzard. Q-Tip, I'm sure some of you know is what you see coming up behind a person with white hair. Above the seat looks like the end of a Q-Tip. They are to be handled like a snow plow. Drive slowly behind them, but not to close. They are subject to frequent stops. Pass when you can with extreme care. I mean real extreme care. With a cop, blowing a whistle, directing your pass if at all possible.

The next Florida similarity, is like the Q-Tip phenomena, but with a slight variation on the topic. If a Q-Tip is a snow plow, it is a dump truck with a more or less straight blade. The next stage up is the Q-Tip wearing a hat. This combination is the worst. For northern winter driving, we can associate these as if they were the HUGE trucks with the corkscrew triple edged blade in the front. The best recommendation for these is to turn right ASAP into a parking lot, park for 30 minutes and check your email. DO NOT MESS WITH THEM.

So yeah, winter driving is a lot like driving in Florida. Since 2014, I gave up the awd BMW and have driven a 2014 GT Premium and a 2016 GT Premium year round. I bought a second set of rims, a set of Michelin Blizzak's... and have been a-ok. I would also recommend a fresh wax job, oil change, topping off the fluids and putting together an emergency kit for the trunk. The emergency kit isn't really for me, (I like to tell myself) it's for other's so I can help. Put in a small collapsible shovel, a tow strap, lip balm, water, beef jerky and a blanket. If you are in Florida, instead of the blanket, throw in sun screen!

tcman was right, there are a lot of similarities... who would have known. Thanks man!

 

[Guardstang]

I think most of my fellow Canadian owners store our cars not because of a fear of driving in the snow but the fact the salt and other crap they put on the roads rot out the underside. As long as you got snow tires most driving should be okay. The only thing I find with driving in the winter is if there is a storm the main roads are constantly cleared but in my subdivision the snow is deep or there is a pile of ice and snow blocking the driveway you have to cut through. Low cars get stuck--every year I'm helping cars get going that get stuck in deep snow in front of my house.

 

[Ehdrian]

Lowered on Steeda progressives with Blizzaks = Great 4-wheel steering winter transportation

 

[Blue Horse]

Lowered on Steeda progressives with Blizzaks = Great 4-wheel steering winter transportation

I would also see about getting a good set of tire chains for the rear wheels.

 

[2015Etrac]

I plan to drive my GT year round, however I just bought it this summer and haven't had it out in the snow yet. The only thing I'm worried about is I have 20in wheels which were only available with summer tires. I tried the rain/snow mode on a cold rainy day the other week and it seemed to work great. Years ago I had a 94' v6 Mustang with no traction control or posi, and I was running nearly smooth p-zero's on top of that, needless to say it was really bad in the snow. I would get stuck and when I did move I would fishtail everywhere. These new Mustangs seem to have much better traction in bad weather. I just need to get use to handling the power in bad weather. I'll let you know what I think of the new s550's in the snow in a few weeks. I forgot to add, the past decade I had a 05' Jeep Grand Cherokee with Quadratrac 2 that would drive through everything, I never had to shovel, I was spoiled in the winter but had to come back to a Mustang...GT this time.

 

[ITSMEPAUL]

bought a second set of rims, a set of Michelin Blizzak's

Did you mean Bridgestone or perhaps Ice from Michelin

 

[mindys]

I have daily driven my GT with Michelin Alpin PA4 tires through the last Chicago winter. We didn't have too much snow, but it was enough! You just have to be nice and smooth with the throttle and take it easy. As long as you are not treating the road surface like a summer road, you will be fine And know that you should not try to quickly enter a road to outrun traffic that is coming from behind cause all you will do is spin tires. Patience!!

 

[metalhead79]

I'll be driving my Mustang all winter. I've got the factory 20" rims with the PZero tires.
I live in Colorado Springs. We don't get a lot of snow, but it does get really cold. In late December-February it's not uncommon for it to stay in the 20-30s as the high temps, low's in the single digits. This year has been stupid warm, though. Running 15-20 above average.

I don't plan to buy a second set of rims this year and I haven't been able to find the Blizzak WS80s for the 20" rim. Is there a preferred tire for my weather conditions? I need something that works well on cold streets and has good snow traction. Usually when we get snow it's less than 6". I drive 50 miles a day to and from work, so I need a tire that will keep me safe.

 

[Rock&Roll]

Gonna find out this winter :headbonk:

I went and bought 4 OEM 18" wheels on eBay and I've got 4 Blizzaks mounted on them. Also installed Steeda Jacking Rails and bought a Dewalt cordless Impact wrench.

I'm ready

 

[Omega]

Do you winter warriors change the size of tire? IE, go 18" and more narrow vs 19" etc?

 

[tritus]

Do you winter warriors change the size of tire? IE, go 18" and more narrow vs 19" etc?

Last winter I had 315/20's on my Camaro Conti DWS's lol. Narrower the better but as long as they are dedicated snow tires you will be fine.

 

[Zodiac]

I did many years of NY winter driving. Get yourself a good set of smaller, narrower winter tires and dedicated winter wheels to swap every year and you should be fine. I'm surprised I haven't seen this mentioned but I used to keep about 80+ pounds of cat litter in the trunk to put more weight over the rear wheels. It serves not only to help keep the rear end in line better but also if you do get stuck, cat litter is great for traction.

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