Neither Rain Nor Sleet Nor Snow Nor Dark of Night
12-08-2005, 10:01 AM
#1
Race Director
Thread Starter
Neither Rain Nor Sleet Nor Snow Nor Dark of Night
can stop my C6... Drove to work today after a pretty good ice storm in the Dallas area last night. Worst part was getting out of my driveway. Backing out of the garage I put on the brakes and it kept sliding down hill... 
But once on the road, even though they were about 50% ice covered, the car motored on with no wheel spin, sliding around or skidding on stops. Now I was going 25-30 where I usually do 40-45, as was everyone else, but even so I was pleased with the drivability of the car on ice. And I have a Z51, about which we have heard so many horror stories about poor traction in less than perfect weather. 
If you take it easy (and avoid other drivers) the C6 will apparently get you where you want to go. 
But once on the road, even though they were about 50% ice covered, the car motored on with no wheel spin, sliding around or skidding on stops. Now I was going 25-30 where I usually do 40-45, as was everyone else, but even so I was pleased with the drivability of the car on ice. And I have a Z51, about which we have heard so many horror stories about poor traction in less than perfect weather. If you take it easy (and avoid other drivers) the C6 will apparently get you where you want to go.
12-08-2005, 10:26 AM
#4
Le Mans Master
You got more nerve than me Big Joe. I decided it wasn't worth the risk of the insurance deductible or broken body parts to go in to work today (Fort Worth). So, I'm going to be sitting by the fireplace reading several Corvette magazines instead!
12-08-2005, 10:37 AM
#5
Team Owner
It's the other jerks I worry about. 
12-08-2005, 10:50 AM
#6
Race Director
Thread Starter
Originally Posted by ben dover
It's the other jerks I worry about.
I make sure I give everyone a lot of room. I actually had a couple SUVs tailgating me for a time before they realized what they were doing. 
But for the most part everyone was behaving themselves.
Last edited by BigJoe; 12-08-2005 at 11:01 AM.
Drove my '73 4-speed for two winters in Colorado without a problem running regular summer treads.
12-08-2005, 11:04 AM
#9
Instructor
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I started out with my C6 Z51 saying no driving in the rain and only out on dry days in the Chicago area.Boy did that change,lost the rear a little with just cold roads!,ok now I know, and I love this car just as much as when I bought it but now it's tendered,covered and I swiped the Lexus RX 330 from my wife for 4 mos,gotta love it. 
12-08-2005, 11:51 AM
#10
Burning Brakes
Originally Posted by ben dover
It's the other jerks I worry about.
12-08-2005, 11:51 AM
#11
Safety Car
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Originally Posted by BigJoe
Backing out of the garage I put on the brakes and it kept sliding down hill...
12-08-2005, 12:13 PM
#12
Instructor
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you have ***** that clank and spark...
Originally Posted by BigJoe
can stop my C6... Drove to work today after a pretty good ice storm in the Dallas area last night. Worst part was getting out of my driveway. Backing out of the garage I put on the brakes and it kept sliding down hill... But once on the road, even though they were about 50% ice covered, the car motored on with no wheel spin, sliding around or skidding on stops. Now I was going 25-30 where I usually do 40-45, as was everyone else, but even so I was pleased with the drivability of the car on ice. And I have a Z51, about which we have heard so many horror stories about poor traction in less than perfect weather. If you take it easy (and avoid other drivers) the C6 will apparently get you where you want to go.
But once on the road, even though they were about 50% ice covered, the car motored on with no wheel spin, sliding around or skidding on stops. Now I was going 25-30 where I usually do 40-45, as was everyone else, but even so I was pleased with the drivability of the car on ice. And I have a Z51, about which we have heard so many horror stories about poor traction in less than perfect weather. If you take it easy (and avoid other drivers) the C6 will apparently get you where you want to go. Maybe when I have another decade or two of drivn experience
12-08-2005, 12:20 PM
#13
Le Mans Master
Originally Posted by JmpnJckFlsh
That would have been my signal to pull my brand new $55K car right back into the garage and warm up the beater...I also spent a few years in the snow/ice belt, and know there are some circumstances on ice where your experience is of no value in determining the outcome.
I'm amazed at how many people are telling others that it's okay to drive a Z51 equipped C6 on snow and/or ice. That's just irresponsible. I'll admit that the Supercar tires are worse than the base F1's but, unless you have 4 good snow tires on this car, it is not safe to drive it on snow or ice. That's not to say it can't be driven and controlled in those conditions, it can. As long as you don't have to do anything like brake hard, turn hard, accelerate or go up steep inclines, you may do fine. That just doesn't leave much of a margin of safety. I do drive my C6 in the winter and it's bad enough just dealing with the loss of traction due to cold. I had enough practice, under controlled conditions, driving on snow and ice last winter. I stand by my conclusion...the C6 with the Z51 tires is unsafe to drive on snow and ice. If you insist on doing it, you will eventually wind up off the road with your car.
12-08-2005, 12:22 PM
#15
Race Director
Thread Starter
Originally Posted by JmpnJckFlsh
That would have been my signal to pull my brand new $55K car right back into the garage and warm up the beater...I also spent a few years in the snow/ice belt, and know there are some circumstances on ice where your experience is of no value in determining the outcome.
In any event, I knew my driveway would be the worst spot as it is very slopey and had no traffic over night. In TX all this ice will just be a memory by Friday afternoon anyway...
12-08-2005, 12:36 PM
#16
Race Director
Thread Starter
Originally Posted by StanNH
I'm amazed at how many people are telling others that it's okay to drive a Z51 equipped C6 on snow and/or ice. That's just irresponsible. I'll admit that the Supercar tires are worse than the base F1's but, unless you have 4 good snow tires on this car, it is not safe to drive it on snow or ice. That's not to say it can't be driven and controlled in those conditions, it can. As long as you don't have to do anything like brake hard, turn hard, accelerate or go up steep inclines, you may do fine. That just doesn't leave much of a margin of safety. I do drive my C6 in the winter and it's bad enough just dealing with the loss of traction due to cold. I had enough practice, under controlled conditions, driving on snow and ice last winter. I stand by my conclusion...the C6 with the Z51 tires is unsafe to drive on snow and ice. If you insist on doing it, you will eventually wind up off the road with your car. I certainly didn't want to imply that everyone should rush out the first time it snows to see if they can do it too. It is NOT fun! I just mentioned it because I was surprised to find out the car can be driven, with great care, in such conditions if it has to be. From what I hear on the forum I truly expected to get 10 feet and have to turn around with a completely uncontrollable car. No so. Did I enjoy the ride? No way, I was white knuckled all the way. Would I do it again? Not if I could help it, but I do have to get home...
12-08-2005, 12:43 PM
#18
Pro
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Originally Posted by BigJoe
can stop my C6... Drove to work today after a pretty good ice storm in the Dallas area last night. Worst part was getting out of my driveway. Backing out of the garage I put on the brakes and it kept sliding down hill... But once on the road, even though they were about 50% ice covered, the car motored on with no wheel spin, sliding around or skidding on stops. Now I was going 25-30 where I usually do 40-45, as was everyone else, but even so I was pleased with the drivability of the car on ice. And I have a Z51, about which we have heard so many horror stories about poor traction in less than perfect weather. If you take it easy (and avoid other drivers) the C6 will apparently get you where you want to go.
But once on the road, even though they were about 50% ice covered, the car motored on with no wheel spin, sliding around or skidding on stops. Now I was going 25-30 where I usually do 40-45, as was everyone else, but even so I was pleased with the drivability of the car on ice. And I have a Z51, about which we have heard so many horror stories about poor traction in less than perfect weather. If you take it easy (and avoid other drivers) the C6 will apparently get you where you want to go. I live a few miles west of DFW airport and the C6 is safe in the garage. Too many pickup trucks trying to do 70 on ice to take a chance!
12-08-2005, 02:16 PM
#19
Melting Slicks
Driving home last night on the Tollway in my Tahoe and to work again this morning just reinforced my decision to leave the C6 safely parked in the garage. I witnessed one wreck and saw the aftermath of a couple more. I also heard on the news last night that there were over 125 accidents just last evening and 80 plus were considered "serious" (no DOA's). Having the option to drive something else at times like this is a real blessing. Had I not been so fortunate, I would have thought long and hard before venturing forth in my Vette. It is truly amazing how many "lugnuts" occupy Texas roads in weather like this. I have never seen anything like it anywhere else - and I have lived all over the U.S.
12-08-2005, 03:02 PM
#20
Burning Brakes
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This will be my 4th Ohio winter with my vettes.
c5/c6 vettes are one of the best rear wheeled car to drive in challenging weather if:
1) You are using Pilot sports A/S or GY A/S
2) Using TC and AH
3) Have a MN6
4) dont drive in greater than 3" of snow
c5/c6 vettes are one of the best rear wheeled car to drive in challenging weather if:
1) You are using Pilot sports A/S or GY A/S
2) Using TC and AH
3) Have a MN6
4) dont drive in greater than 3" of snow