Winter Driving
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 122
Likes: 0
Winter Driving
I have been following and paricipating in a thread in the C6 Forum regarding winter driving, and wanted to start the same discussion here.
I live in the Chicago area and am considering buying a Vette (C5 or C6) not sure which one yet. It would be my primary driver, though I would have access to another vehicle for the really bad days.
Interested in hearing from C5 drivers with winter driving experience. Clearly significant snowfall is a no no. But what about cold and/or wet conditions?
I also know that there are winter tire options for the C5. Is it worth picking up a set of wheels and buying tires for winter?
Look forward to learning more.
I live in the Chicago area and am considering buying a Vette (C5 or C6) not sure which one yet. It would be my primary driver, though I would have access to another vehicle for the really bad days.
Interested in hearing from C5 drivers with winter driving experience. Clearly significant snowfall is a no no. But what about cold and/or wet conditions?
I also know that there are winter tire options for the C5. Is it worth picking up a set of wheels and buying tires for winter?
Look forward to learning more.
Pro
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 680
Likes: 1
From: Detroit mi
Here in detroit, i drive my car all the time, its bout 30 out right now and just got back from home depot
I wont drive if there is enough snow to cover the road.. but soon as the salt trucks get it nice and wet instead of ice.. no problem.... Soon as the bank doesn't make me pay during winter ill put it away for winter
P.S. gotta drive a little careful in the cold weather though... more power and less traction
i came bout 3" from sliding the rear into a curb... which i imagine is a dead z06 rim if it happens
I wont drive if there is enough snow to cover the road.. but soon as the salt trucks get it nice and wet instead of ice.. no problem.... Soon as the bank doesn't make me pay during winter ill put it away for winterP.S. gotta drive a little careful in the cold weather though... more power and less traction
i came bout 3" from sliding the rear into a curb... which i imagine is a dead z06 rim if it happens
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 122
Likes: 0
I've heard that the stock tires are very succeptable to cold and get very hard. This leads to very poor traction, so even when there is no snow, it is hard to control.
Is this true? Or do you just need to be careful, as with most winter driving.undefined
Is this true? Or do you just need to be careful, as with most winter driving.undefined
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 902
Likes: 0
From: Whitestone New York
I think it sits a bit tooooo low for me to drive in the snow! Damn I cant even get into my slight angled driveway without scrapeing, probably rip off the spoiler in the snow, if it even could get enough traction to move in it. ME NO GO IN DA SNO. Think it would be deadly on a patch of ice
Pro
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 680
Likes: 1
From: Detroit mi
I wont even try driving my car in the snow... my brother had a c4 and if there was 1/4" of snow on the roads the car was all over the place.... i have 4.10's i slide arond plenty on dry pavement well enough as is
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,815
Likes: 936
From: Cortez, FL/Canandaigua NY (Summer)
I had a '97 and the rear end got loose at 70 in the rain. I had Nittos on it. 70mph probably wasn't a very smart idea but the semis were passing me and i was getting dusted by them.
Seriously though, C5 is no fun being down that low in heavy rain on a major highway. Drive the Yukon that day!
Seriously though, C5 is no fun being down that low in heavy rain on a major highway. Drive the Yukon that day!
Pro
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 625
Likes: 7
From: Fairfax, VA and Springfield, IL
St. Jude Donor '06
I live just down 55 in Springfield. This is my 4th winter in my C5 and it is just fine. When it is extremely cold, the tires do slip a bit more but a little expressway driving warms them right up. I switched to Kuhmo tires and they are better in the rain but I didn't think the stockers were bad at all. In ice and snow though the C5 is awful! My 89' was way better in the snow.
Tech Contributor
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 7,035
Likes: 134
From: North Augusta, SC
It dosn't snow around here very often, but I make quite a few trips up north every year. As long as the roads aren't covered with ice or have over 2" of snow you should be fine as long as you're CAREFUL. But then again, you can say the same exact thing about a camry!
Just don't be stupid! Between the traction control and active handling the car will correct for most minor mistakes
Just don't be stupid! Between the traction control and active handling the car will correct for most minor mistakes
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,240
Likes: 2
From: Cedar Rapids Iowa
Originally Posted by adg
I've heard that the stock tires are very succeptable to cold and get very hard. This leads to very poor traction, so even when there is no snow, it is hard to control.
Is this true? Or do you just need to be careful, as with most winter driving.undefined
Is this true? Or do you just need to be careful, as with most winter driving.undefined
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 4,208
Likes: 2
From: Rochester MN
CI 5-6-7-8 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
NCM Ambassador
The stock tires are not made for that type of weather - get yourself a second set of (winter) wheels - they're cheap enough in the C5 parts section. Then put some better foul weather tires on them. Goodyear had a Mud and Snow version of the runflats - and other companies have all season options. Use the summer wheels/tires when it's nice out, and swap the winter ones on when appropriate.
Then, learn to drive gently, and to watch out for other drivers who are gawking at a Vette out driving in the winter - they may hit you!
Then, learn to drive gently, and to watch out for other drivers who are gawking at a Vette out driving in the winter - they may hit you!
Racer
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 283
Likes: 2
From: Hanover MA
Let it snow, Let it snow, Let it snow
I got a set of take off rims and called the tire rack for snows. There selection is limited but I was able to get 4 snows. My reasoning is that the ZO6 is my daily driver and I did not want to getr stuck @ work if we got a dusting. The stock tires suck in the snow.
I am by Boston
I am by Boston
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 20,054
Likes: 44
From: Swansea IL
My Z is a daily driver here is southern Illinois. We don't get a lot of snow so it's not that big a deal. When it does fall and it's no more than an inch or so I drive, if it's more than an inch I ride with the wife.
I must say I could change my tune now that I have a Z with the DC F1's. Prior to this I owned a 99 with the OEM EMT's and Michelin Pilot Sports. The Pilot Sports were fantastic in snow. I got stuck at work one night after several inches fell and I clawed my way home safe and sound with the Michelins.
Tom
I must say I could change my tune now that I have a Z with the DC F1's. Prior to this I owned a 99 with the OEM EMT's and Michelin Pilot Sports. The Pilot Sports were fantastic in snow. I got stuck at work one night after several inches fell and I clawed my way home safe and sound with the Michelins.
Tom
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 6,217
Likes: 1
From: End of the Ike IL
Cruise-In V Veteran
Cruise-In VI Veteran
I drive year-round in the western 'burbs. Only about 3 or 4 days last winter did I take the wife's car (when there was more than 2 inches of snow.) I got about 35K out of the GY EMT's and at the end it was scary on snow (little tread, hard rubber.) I changed to Michelin Pilot Sport All-Season Zero Pressure's and had no traction problems. But then I drive on major roads that are plowed and salted. When this C5 wears out, I'll get me a new C6.
Supporting Tuner
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 51,896
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From: ================== Houston, Texas www.englandgreen.com ================== Necessary Evil™ __________
CI 6-7-8-9-10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14
Originally Posted by Vette04
I drive mine through the winter in rain or cold, but keep it in the garage when it snows. I try to avoid the ice and salt, etc.
Same here. Drove mine today in CT. Cols and rain will not make it melt. Ice, salt, sand and hail are very 
I have a DD beater for those bad days.
Otherwise, drive it like you stole it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 7,086
Likes: 0
From: Davison MI
Originally Posted by ptdrummer54
The stock tires are not made for that type of weather - get yourself a second set of (winter) wheels - they're cheap enough in the C5 parts section. Then put some better foul weather tires on them. Goodyear had a Mud and Snow version of the runflats - and other companies have all season options. Use the summer wheels/tires when it's nice out, and swap the winter ones on when appropriate.
Then, learn to drive gently, and to watch out for other drivers who are gawking at a Vette out driving in the winter - they may hit you!
Then, learn to drive gently, and to watch out for other drivers who are gawking at a Vette out driving in the winter - they may hit you!