Snow tire question
Former Vendor
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 718
Likes: 1
From: Riviera Beach FL
It amazes me how many people are against driving a corvette in the snow. As with any change in road conditions you have to adjust your driving to the conditions. It is a car and cars are made to be driven. The only problem with driving in the snow is it's low ground clearance. I had no problems in 3", above that the snow packed under the car making it just about impossible to continue.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,340
Likes: 1,120
From: Dyer, IN
It amazes me how many people are against driving a corvette in the snow. As with any change in road conditions you have to adjust your driving to the conditions. It is a car and cars are made to be driven. The only problem with driving in the snow is it's low ground clearance. I had no problems in 3", above that the snow packed under the car making it just about impossible to continue.
Yes it is a car, and it's meant to be driven; but I would no sooner drive my vette in the snow, than I would take my Silverado Z71 to an auto-x event.
Any way you slice it, the car was not designed for snow, and nothing about the design suggests that it was. So you want to drive your C5 in snow, more power to you........just don't bitch about the lack of traction, and lack of choice on "snow tires".
Instructor
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 149
Likes: 0
From: Twain Harte CA
If I recall correctly, the owner's manual for my C5 recommends one use care in selecting snow/traction tires for the car.
For practical purposes, the Michelin Pilot run-flats on my car have an aggressive, all-weather tread and are obviously designed to allow the car to be driven through standing water and some snow, if necessary. The tread on these tires is too wide to allow for really well-controlled operation in more than an inch or two of snow. Again, the term "if necessary" is the key. I certainly won't go searching out opportunities up here in the Sierras to baja my C5 in the snow!
For practical purposes, the Michelin Pilot run-flats on my car have an aggressive, all-weather tread and are obviously designed to allow the car to be driven through standing water and some snow, if necessary. The tread on these tires is too wide to allow for really well-controlled operation in more than an inch or two of snow. Again, the term "if necessary" is the key. I certainly won't go searching out opportunities up here in the Sierras to baja my C5 in the snow!
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 4,933
Likes: 30
From: San Rafael CA
If you think a Corvette is OK in the snow .....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ulVtNdClhb8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iMuyQXKjK9M
A Corvette in the snow ....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ulVtNdClhb8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iMuyQXKjK9M
A Corvette in the snow ....
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 18,401
Likes: 3
From: Retired but working
Cruise-In VI Veteran
If you have a lot of snow. 
I have Khumo UHP AS on mine and it handles the snow that we get here in the Cincinnati area. I use my Wrangler when at all possible, but have driven the Vette on occasion. Lil squirrly occasionally but that's to be expected.
I have Khumo UHP AS on mine and it handles the snow that we get here in the Cincinnati area. I use my Wrangler when at all possible, but have driven the Vette on occasion. Lil squirrly occasionally but that's to be expected.
