First Winter With C5
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Joined: Jul 2007
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From: Salt Lake City Utah
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First Winter With C5
I'm thinking I'm not going to put the C5 in storage this winter. It's my first winter with the car, a 2004 coupe, and I don't plan on driving it in bad weather, I have a Jeep for that, but I see many C5s on the road all year long here in SLC. We only get major snhow here in the valley for about 2 months, the roads don't really get snow packed very often and we have long periods of cold weather without snow when the roads are fine.
Am I dreaming or not? What has been your experience?
Am I dreaming or not? What has been your experience?
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jul 2007
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From: Salt Lake City Utah
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Race Director
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From: Northern Illinois
Oldtimer
I live in Northern Illinois and have stored my car during the winter for 10 years. They put so much salt on the roads that it's unbelievable. I've also got a number of mods and custom paint on my car, and don't want to subject it to the salt. There are a number of folks on this forum that drive their cars year 'round. I've driven Corvettes with snow tires on them and they handle fine in the snow. I think you'll be fine driving it. 
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2007
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From: Salt Lake City Utah
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I live in Northern Illinois and have stored my car during the winter for 10 years. They put so much salt on the roads that it's unbelievable. I've also got a number of mods and custom paint on my car, and don't want to subject it to the salt. There are a number of folks on this forum that drive their cars year 'round. I've driven Corvettes with snow tires on them and they handle fine in the snow. I think you'll be fine driving it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2007
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From: LAND OF OZ Kansas
We don't get much snow here in SW Kansas, but I don't really drive the car in the snow unless I'm caught in it. I won't drive it for a couple of days after they sprayed sand on the road either.
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From: Columbus Ohio
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2008
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From: Rochester Hills MI
i put mine up for the winter the first time it snows. here they use gratuitous amounts of salt, and it gets extremely cold. my car has summer tires, and they get very little traction in cold temps as well. not to mention the salt all over the road is not very good for traction either when the road is dry. and when there is snow on the road, forget it. a vette is like a duck on ice in that stuff with the wide tires.
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From: Reno is so close to Hell you can see Sparks , State Of Confusion
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Hey Jon.
I am here in Reno and our winters are like yours, I drive mine most of the time in the winter unless there is snow on the ground, No issues in years.
Mr.Bill
I am here in Reno and our winters are like yours, I drive mine most of the time in the winter unless there is snow on the ground, No issues in years.
Mr.Bill
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From: Lake Mary Florida
Probably the most you have to worry about is cinders on the roads or carried onto the road from melting ice off of trucks. That worry would be the windshield and nose.
Try to keep the windshield heated when driving in cold weather, that should make it a little more tolerant to chips.
Try to keep the windshield heated when driving in cold weather, that should make it a little more tolerant to chips.
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2010
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From: E. Brunswick NJ
This is the first year I have my 04 C5 and I plan on putting it into storage for the winter, as soon as they predict the first snow fall... If this winter was anything like last winter, putting it into storage would certainly be my best bet...
NJ may be good at clearing the main roads, but secondary roads are not usually cleaned to well... Last year we had chunks of ice / ice ruts... on some roads that were 2 inches thick, that made you feel like you were driving on a washboard for miles and miles, and took almost 3 to 5 days to melt...
NJ may be good at clearing the main roads, but secondary roads are not usually cleaned to well... Last year we had chunks of ice / ice ruts... on some roads that were 2 inches thick, that made you feel like you were driving on a washboard for miles and miles, and took almost 3 to 5 days to melt...
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: Warrenville Il
I live in Northern Illinois and have stored my car during the winter for 10 years. They put so much salt on the roads that it's unbelievable. I've also got a number of mods and custom paint on my car, and don't want to subject it to the salt. There are a number of folks on this forum that drive their cars year 'round. I've driven Corvettes with snow tires on them and they handle fine in the snow. I think you'll be fine driving it.
It's not really a matter of driving in the winter, it's more of a cocncern with keeping the car clean and getting the salt off of the car and undercarriage, during the cold months. This isn't worth the headache. If a dirty car with salt caked on everything doesn't bother you then go for it. There are some periods in Chicago during the winter months when the streets are clean enough to go for a drive, but ususally the insurance is turned off anyways.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2010
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From: The USA Rocky Mountain Area
If the roads are clear (no ice, sand or snow) I'll be driving throught the winter, just up the road from you in Cheyenne, Wyoming.
Last winter though was terrible, we had 105 inches of snow through the winter which was one of the snowiest winters on record - it sucked.
Last winter though was terrible, we had 105 inches of snow through the winter which was one of the snowiest winters on record - it sucked.
Le Mans Master
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From: Chester County Pennsylvania
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I just won't take a chance in the winter, too much magchloride and sand. Mine won't be back out until the sweepers come around in the springtime.
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As long as the roads are clear of snow, ice and any salt/chemicals that the highway dept may throw down, I see no reason not to drive the car. Gives you more time to enjoy getting behind the wheel.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2007
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From: . New York
I do occaisonally use mine during the winter if there is no snow and they havent used salt after the last rain.
Only pain is trying to get a day warm enough to wash it now and then (dont like leaving it parked in the garage for long periods if its got dirt on it).
Although I have to say I like, stepping out on a "not too cold day" when the sun is shining and not taking the car out .....less.....
so out I go 
Only pain is trying to get a day warm enough to wash it now and then (dont like leaving it parked in the garage for long periods if its got dirt on it).
Although I have to say I like, stepping out on a "not too cold day" when the sun is shining and not taking the car out .....less.....
so out I go