C5s in winter?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 718
Likes: 43
C5s in winter?
i'm curious if anyone who owns a C5 drives it in the winter cold months or in light snow accumulation?
i ask b/c when reading the book "all corvettes are red" they talked about the extensive testing of C5s corvettes in cold and snow (in canada, north MN, etc)....just curious if folks had any experience w/ this....
i ask b/c when my wife and i had a 79 mazda rx7, we drove it in the winter (from 86-89)....w/ moderate success-engine had a hard time starting in extreme cold and of course w/ RWD in heavy snow was hard.....
i ask b/c when reading the book "all corvettes are red" they talked about the extensive testing of C5s corvettes in cold and snow (in canada, north MN, etc)....just curious if folks had any experience w/ this....
i ask b/c when my wife and i had a 79 mazda rx7, we drove it in the winter (from 86-89)....w/ moderate success-engine had a hard time starting in extreme cold and of course w/ RWD in heavy snow was hard.....
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 367,979
Likes: 24,711
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '25
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
I drove my '99 C5 in the snow before - it got through but it was a challenge getting traction since we have a lot of hills around here. Anymore I park my current C5 during the winter since I have a DD to take out instead. But if the roads are clear, I will occasionally get the car out for a little cruise.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 1,320
Likes: 204
From: Calabash, NC
Living in Charlotte, I typically drive the Vette through the winter. There are a few days where snow is forecast and I'll take another vehicle. I've been caught in snow but nothing bad. I'm fortunate to have covered parking at work and no real surprises on the way home yet.
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
From: Texas
I DD my car here in Texas and last year it froze over and I still had to get to school. Long behold the car started up being outside and in the 20-30 degrees, it was the only time it struggled to turn on. It sounded like it was cammed for about 15 minutes until it got to a decent operating temprature and I just drove very cautiously.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 6,948
Likes: 441
From: Puyallup WA
Drove mine in an inch or two of snow back when it was stock ride height and had Kumho Runflats on it.
Like it was stated above-hard to get traction, but it's doable.
I would not do it anymore with my current wheels/tires.
Like it was stated above-hard to get traction, but it's doable.
I would not do it anymore with my current wheels/tires.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 3,270
Likes: 29
From: Chilliwack B.C.
We don't get much snow out here (lots of rain though!) so I got a full years insurance last February since the last couple of winters have been awesome. That said, my old '88 C4 was caught on a few snow days. Light accumulations of snow was not too bad but not recommended. No I would not take my C5 out on snow days - that's what my Honda is for.
Peter
Peter
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
Racer
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 483
Likes: 47
From: Bridgewater NJ
I couldn't do it, I tried once in the snow. Cold fat tires, cam, and a manual trans make traction nearly nonexistent in the snow. It was dangerous. If it was an auto and with tires suited to cold I could see it possible for lighter snow. I drive the winter beater from Thanksgiving to March
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 19,598
Likes: 523
From: Ideals are peaceful...History is violent...St.Charles, MO.
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
C5 of Year Winner (appearance mods) 2019
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'12 thru'22
I got caught in a snowstorm years ago in my old ZR-1 and not only was that a white knuckle experience but, left a lasting impression. I made it home but, I refused to drive from there on out without fairly clear skies and a temperature above 50 F. My C5 the way it is now with being lowered and running on Michelin Pilots, I'd be a fool to try it. Last winter was hard enough to get around some days in my 4X4.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 7,604
Likes: 8
From: Belleville Il
Mine sits out the nasty stuff,,but cold air actually wakes the motor up on these babies!! I'v driven down to single digit temps,,and I can tell you cold dry air will make them howl !!! Traction on smooth worn asphalt can be dicy though
. Good all season tires are a must!
. Good all season tires are a must!
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 86
Likes: 2
Caution ...
http://www.tinylinks.co/AT3Au
____________
____________
Racer
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 372
Likes: 2
From: Richmond BC
Haven't driven it in full on snow yet, the last few winters here in Vancouver have been pretty mild. Some cold weather, -10C was no problem once I got some all season tires. With summer tires any ice on the road and the car just went sideways as soon as I took off the brake. (A4) I think it should be OK as long as there is only a few inches but I doubt it would plow through snow over 4 or 5 inches.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 10,789
Likes: 894
From: Northern Illinois
Oldtimer
I don't drive mine in the snow, but I did drive a customer's car that was equipped with snow tires in a heavy snow one time. It was a 6-speed car and I was pleasantly surprised at how well it tracked through the snow. I have a friend who has over 250,000 on his C5 and he drives it year 'round.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 1,422
Likes: 118
From: San Gabriel Valley California
St. Jude Donor '14-'15
I don't drive mine in the snow, but I did drive a customer's car that was equipped with snow tires in a heavy snow one time. It was a 6-speed car and I was pleasantly surprised at how well it tracked through the snow. I have a friend who has over 250,000 on his C5 and he drives it year 'round.
I got caught up over 10,000 feet, in Rocky Mountain Natl Park, in my Corvette in a snow storm once. These big tires, turn into 'skis', if you are not very careful, needless to say, in fresh snow.
I used to own a Lincoln Mark VIII, when still lived in Illinois. An amazing car with the 300 hp engine. Loved that car! But it was helpless in winter (rear wheel drive). Then, I got 'snow tires' for it, threw a bag of sand in the rear trunk, and it was so much improved. Ahhh, the lessons our fathers taught us...
Don
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 2,170
Likes: 48
From: Yuma CO
Senior Member
Cruise-In V Veteran
Have said this many times before on here, but here goes again. Mine is my DD, 365 per year. If you drive prudently for the conditions rather than like an azz-hat, the C5 is as good as any other rear wheel drive car in the snow. Yes, ground clearance can become an issue fairly quickly, but the extreme winter testing someone mentioned earlier proved to me that my C5 is a viable year-'round vehicle. My own personal experience has confirmed it.
Granted, being a school teacher, if the snow is too bad they tell us to stay home in bed anyway so it's all good!! On those days, the 'Vette stays warm and dry in the garage, and I'm sure she enjoys sleeping-in too.
DSTURBD
Granted, being a school teacher, if the snow is too bad they tell us to stay home in bed anyway so it's all good!! On those days, the 'Vette stays warm and dry in the garage, and I'm sure she enjoys sleeping-in too.
DSTURBD