Winter driving

[Asharus]

The mustang is a throwaway car too

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[jbailer]

Great thread, I've learned a lot reading through it! I live in and am from Maryland. We get a little snow every year but it's nothing like the north and mid-west. I've lived in Massachusetts for a couple years but not long enough to know the difference in equipment. I always though it was mostly the car and driver, never realized the tires themselves were that important.

It's been great reading through here and reading others experiences with various tires on Mustangs. This is my 6th Mustang and I always drive them year round. After reading this, I think in the past I've tortured myself somewhat. I've bought all season tires and focused mostly on the summer performance aspect. I live in the mountains (large hills) in Maryland and one night in my 2010 Mustang, I almost didn't make it home in a snow/ice storm. I just couldn't climb the exit ramp while others were just driving right past me. Eventually I was able to use momentum to crest the hill and made it.

I think I got lucky when I selected my Continental DWS 06 for my 2015. Although it certainly sounds like snow driving would be easier if I bought a good set of snow tires like the Blizacks (sp?) people mentioned, I'm not sure my environment would really necessitate them. It sounds like with the little snow we get, they might just wear out too fast driving mostly on dry pavement and the Contis might be a better compromise?

 

[jbailer]

The mustang is a throwaway car too

I'm ready to catch when you throw!

 

[Asharus]

I love my DWS 06s. And yea people treat their 30k mustangs like they're ferraris or something. I bought my car to drive it, not to store it.

 

[TexArmageddon]

The mustang is a throwaway car too

Nope I consider a throwaway car at $4,000 or less... Something that I'd damaged beyond reason I can buy another in cash three weeks time

 

[packerfan]

How big of a difference is there between the s550 gt in the snow and a previous gen?

 

[WarrENDeatH]

Michellin X-Ice i3 here. So far, just been really cold, freezing rain. It has driven really well. I'm really impressed with the frigid cold handling. The grip is immense, even running on smaller width tires (245).

 

[Hack]

How big of a difference is there between the s550 gt in the snow and a previous gen?

Not a huge difference unless the pavement is bumpy in raw traction. The SRA cars could be a little scary on larger frost heaves, especially at highway speeds. However, the computerized traction aids are getting MUCH better. They are a lot less intrusive but do a better job than they did only a few years ago.

 

[invaliduser]

the grip is okay on 245 width tires if I keep my foot out of it.. I was happier with the 275 summers.

But for what it is so far so good.

 

[packerfan]

Not a huge difference unless the pavement is bumpy in raw traction. The SRA cars could be a little scary on larger frost heaves, especially at highway speeds. However, the computerized traction aids are getting MUCH better. They are a lot less intrusive but do a better job than they did only a few years ago.

I am still riding around on summer tires in va right now. Yall can keep the snow.

 

[sonicc]

How useful is that Snow Mode ? Does it do anything other than reduce throttle response?

 

[thumper]

unfortunately snow mode was detrimental for me, but your results may vary. i had to turn the snow mode off on steep hills. it would reduce power output in conjunction with the advancetrac to the point the engine will stall. it also made me a sitting duck trying to dodge someone who slid through a red light.

 

[Kpod]

I've got the performance pack with continental dws 06 tires on it and got a chance to try it out on ice an sleet in the mountains this last few days. I was also driving a fwd kia optima and fwd jetta diesel in the same conditions. The mustang with the wider dws tires and torsen ls diff did better than either fwd. The icy hill beside the house was too much for the jetta and I had to back back down it. I've watched numerous cars and trucks get denied and have to back down it over the past few days. The mustang walked up it without hardly spinning. I've always been told that fwd was much better but as soon as I start up these steep mountain roads, the weight transfers to the back and the front end of the fwd cars spin out. In the mustang, the weight transfers back and as long as you know what you are doing, it seems to bite and climb. I went up hills that fwd cars with chains had issues on.

 

[foghat]

unfortunately snow mode was detrimental for me, but your results may vary. i had to turn the snow mode off on steep hills. it would reduce power output in conjunction with the advancetrac to the point the engine will stall. it also made me a sitting duck trying to dodge someone who slid through a red light.

I don't think any of the modes change actual power output. Just throttle response (among other non 'power' related items). i.e. if you go wot in any of the modes you are going to be putting the same power to the ground.

I do agree though, the throttle response gets so neutered in snow mode, it is very hard to get a handle on how much throttle is needed to get going. I have a hard time telling if I am not starting from a stop as quickly as I think I should be because of the throttle response or because I am actually spinning.

 

[Hack]

I don't think any of the modes change actual power output. Just throttle response (among other non 'power' related items). i.e. if you go wot in any of the modes you are going to be putting the same power to the ground.

I do agree though, the throttle response gets so neutered in snow mode, it is very hard to get a handle on how much throttle is needed to get going. I have a hard time telling if I am not starting from a stop as quickly as I think I should be because of the throttle response or because I am actually spinning.

Interesting. I think the weather mode on the GT350 must be very different, because I haven't had any of the problems you listed.

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