Driving Vette in winter?
#1
Racer
Thread Starter
Driving Vette in winter?
I just got my 2004 vette this summer. I live in wisconsin where it gets below zero. I plan on only driving the vette this winter when there is no salt or snow on the road. I was wondering what your experiences were driving in the winter. Or if its a bad idea. Is winter any harder on a vette than your average car? Also how do you guys (and gals) wash your car in the winter considering most of you are against automatic car wash's. Thanks in advance! Corvette Forum Rules!!
#2
Le Mans Master
I drive mine year round. One thing to note however is the tires, most high performance tires are summer only and do not handle well in cold (near freezing weather).
One exception in a run flat is Michelins, they make a all-weather (even snow rated) runflat tire. It is a good tire also.
Goodyear makes runflat snow tires also, but you should only run them in the winter. Very few people use these. Practically you can't drive a C5 in snow over a couple of inches deep because of the ground clearance. There was a member who drove in a snow storm and packed an incredable amount of snow into his engine compartment. I think they nicknamed him "Snowman".
I must admit that I have "washed" my car using hot water (ran hose to sink in garage). I even washed it once in the garage, using limited water. Can't leave the hose out though, it will freeze.
One exception in a run flat is Michelins, they make a all-weather (even snow rated) runflat tire. It is a good tire also.
Goodyear makes runflat snow tires also, but you should only run them in the winter. Very few people use these. Practically you can't drive a C5 in snow over a couple of inches deep because of the ground clearance. There was a member who drove in a snow storm and packed an incredable amount of snow into his engine compartment. I think they nicknamed him "Snowman".
I must admit that I have "washed" my car using hot water (ran hose to sink in garage). I even washed it once in the garage, using limited water. Can't leave the hose out though, it will freeze.
Last edited by Oldvetter; 08-21-2007 at 11:21 PM.
#4
Team Owner
That's my standard plan and seems to work well. I usually wait for a rain to wash the excess salt off the road
#5
Melting Slicks
You'll be in for a little surprise.
At very cold temps, the engine produces more power. Couple this with ultra hard, traction-worth-of-nothing tires and ultra thick diff oil (which makes the LSD real stiff) you have an interesting car to drive.
The slightest throttle will spin the rears. Inside rear tire will drag on corners, especially tight ones. And, don't try taking corners too fast, the front tires warm up a lot slower than the rears.
At very cold temps, the engine produces more power. Couple this with ultra hard, traction-worth-of-nothing tires and ultra thick diff oil (which makes the LSD real stiff) you have an interesting car to drive.
The slightest throttle will spin the rears. Inside rear tire will drag on corners, especially tight ones. And, don't try taking corners too fast, the front tires warm up a lot slower than the rears.
#6
Melting Slicks
Talk to the guys in Minnesota, but my advice is park it and MOD it! Here in the good 'ol frozen tundra of North Dakota, mine gets a bath and begins hibernating in the late fall and doesn't come out and see daylight until the snow is all gone.
#7
Drifting
I wish I could drive all year, we have a hard winter here in NY and they use salt and lots of nasty stuff on the roads..
No way I am going to drive...
I store my cars, owned the car for 5 years and only put 20K on it... because of winter months..
No way I am going to drive...
I store my cars, owned the car for 5 years and only put 20K on it... because of winter months..
#8
Former Vendor
Member Since: May 2006
Location: Riviera Beach FL
Posts: 718
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I drove mine during the winter when I was in Conn. I would run it through a car wash every month to get some of the salt off. I do remember that the active handling warning light would come on until things warmed up, usually about 20 minutes of driving.
#9
Team Owner
I've got a 4 wheel drive pick up for winter...........
#14
Burning Brakes
Member Since: Sep 2005
Location: Columbia MO
Posts: 1,159
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I put these on sometime in December and run them through February. Unless the snow is over 3", then I hitch a ride with my neighbor. Don't listen to the whiners who say you can't drive a Vette in the snow. It does just as well, if not better, then any other powerfull rear wheel drive. As long as you have appropriate rubber on the car.
#15
Burning Brakes
Member Since: Oct 2006
Location: HANOVER PARK IL
Posts: 1,140
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
i live in chicago.....i drove mine last winter for the most part....but at the time my car wasnt lowered ....now i can see a problem if there is more then 2inch of snow.....but other then that just keep it clean and ull have no prob dont listen to these guys about not driving it....i see camaros t/a;s and mustangs all winter long.....we live in the midwest its part of life...
#17
Administrator
Member Since: Mar 2001
Location: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
Posts: 343,020
Received 19,305 Likes
on
13,977 Posts
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-'19-
'20-'21-'22-'23-'24
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
As long as you keep it out of the snow/ice/salt, winter driving is not bad. I agree that when the temps fall the tires will get slippery, so be careful.
#18
Burning Brakes
I have a older car and mine doesnt handle as good as yours but i have drivin in the winter up here in minnesota, but i would make sure you PICK your days to drive and watch the weather cause if you get stuck in a snow storm you'll wish you didnt drive it, watch for icey roads and pick your routes before you go out driving, get some good winter tires,
And Last But NOT LEAST! watch out for people in 4x4's, SUV, MiniVans
Most people who dont drive corvettes and no nothing about them will take offense to see you driving in the winter and will tailgate and do silly s..t to try to intimidate you...
But thats not new lol
And Last But NOT LEAST! watch out for people in 4x4's, SUV, MiniVans
Most people who dont drive corvettes and no nothing about them will take offense to see you driving in the winter and will tailgate and do silly s..t to try to intimidate you...
But thats not new lol
Last edited by rad928music; 08-22-2007 at 02:20 PM. Reason: spelling
#19
Burning Brakes
A few years ago, my wife and I were spending our anniversay up in Vail over the Memorial day weekend. The day we were leaving it was raining, by the time we got ready to leave, we were having one of our freak snow storms. Snowing and accumulating all the way up both sides of Vail pass, then all the way up the mountain to Eisenhower tunnel.
Just took it easy and didn't have any problems at all, of course that was the slowest I have ever driven the vette too!
TJ
Just took it easy and didn't have any problems at all, of course that was the slowest I have ever driven the vette too!
TJ
#20
Melting Slicks
Driving it in the cold is no problem. If you are worried about the cosmetics of the car, I would recommend staying away from the salt also or make sure to wash it off as soon as possible. I wouldn't recommend driving it in the snow, ice, or if there is a chance of it. They don't seem to fair very well in these conditions and sliding into something can become a very expensive mistake.