Winter Driver?
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 11
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From: MD
Winter Driver?
This will be my first winter in So. MD and hopefully my first with my new vette. I'm just wondering how often I'll be able to drive her during the winter. Does anyone else tend to use their vette as a DD during the winter in the NE, Mid Atlantic?
Of course my concern is salt/freezing conditions?
How is the handling in the C6?
Of course my concern is salt/freezing conditions?
How is the handling in the C6?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 6,813
Likes: 287
From: Toronto Ontario Canada
This will be my first winter in So. MD and hopefully my first with my new vette. I'm just wondering how often I'll be able to drive her during the winter. Does anyone else tend to use their vette as a DD during the winter in the NE, Mid Atlantic?
Of course my concern is salt/freezing conditions?
How is the handling in the C6?
Of course my concern is salt/freezing conditions?
How is the handling in the C6?
It is fine. Don't take it out if there is risk of heavy snowfall. The car is too low to the ground and you will get stuck. But I am in Canada and have had no trouble with winter driving. Ice and snow are no problem if you just adjust your driving to the weather conditions.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 6,813
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From: Toronto Ontario Canada
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2000
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From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
We found the stock Z51 runflats to have seriously reduced traction below about 40', so we bought the Goodyear All Season runflats from Tire Rack and mounted them on another set of wheels/sensors.
We are very impressed, made it through about 5" of snow in a parking lot last winter. Pretty good handling for a DD even in the 70's when we went to Florida.
Michelin also makes an A/S runflat but I haven't seen any winter reviews on them.
We are very impressed, made it through about 5" of snow in a parking lot last winter. Pretty good handling for a DD even in the 70's when we went to Florida.
Michelin also makes an A/S runflat but I haven't seen any winter reviews on them.
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 11
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From: MD
Thanks for the replies! b4i4getit, are you running the stock tires on yours? Have you seen any problems/rust from salt? Do you do anything additional to protect or care for yours?
That's probably more of what I'll run into here, salting of the roads. I have to cross a pretty good sized bridge every day to get into work, so I'm sure it will get salted often once the temperatures drop.
My husband drives a 2001 Prowler and thinks I'm crazy to drive the vette in the winter... But, he keeps saying "it's your car" lol...
That's probably more of what I'll run into here, salting of the roads. I have to cross a pretty good sized bridge every day to get into work, so I'm sure it will get salted often once the temperatures drop.
My husband drives a 2001 Prowler and thinks I'm crazy to drive the vette in the winter... But, he keeps saying "it's your car" lol...
Pro
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 728
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From: Paris
No issues for me in the snow. Ice is a big deal, but then ice with any car that doesn't have nails or chains it's a big issue.
a++ Cedric
Last edited by CroOrange; Sep 26, 2009 at 06:05 PM.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 728
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From: Paris
We found the stock Z51 runflats to have seriously reduced traction below about 40', so we bought the Goodyear All Season runflats from Tire Rack and mounted them on another set of wheels/sensors.
We are very impressed, made it through about 5" of snow in a parking lot last winter. Pretty good handling for a DD even in the 70's when we went to Florida.
Michelin also makes an A/S runflat but I haven't seen any winter reviews on them.
We are very impressed, made it through about 5" of snow in a parking lot last winter. Pretty good handling for a DD even in the 70's when we went to Florida.
Michelin also makes an A/S runflat but I haven't seen any winter reviews on them.
Tirerack is selling them cheaper than last year, now is a good time to buy.
For me the reason being that these tires are very large so whilst A/S may suffice on your Highlander, it's not good on a vette.
I have two full sets and do the change myself. Bought the tire sensor tool from a guy on the forum that has good prices.
a++ Cedric
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From: Paris
a++ Cedric
Team Owner
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From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
Jenna, you can drive this car in winter, but just by your asking, my assumption is you haven't had a lot of experience with ultrawide, summer tires on a high performance, sports/touring car. If that's so, then I'd urge you to either get some experience before you do this driving, or find a winter "beater." You will "skate" on these tires, and a similar touch to another car's accel. pedal may throw you a curve that you weren't expecting.
And btw, you don't state which model of Corvette you have, but for the Z51 suspension, the Goodyear All Seasons Runflats are not listed as being recommended for the Corvette at tirerack (see: http://www.tirerack.com/tires/TireSe...=57950&tab=All). The only AllSeason runflats recommended are the Michelins, and I think the reason they don't have much write up on them is that they're a new "model" for Corvettes.
As to rusting and corrosion, while the body isn't metal, there is both aluminum and steel used throughout the underside of the car. Aluminum does corrode, such as your wheels depending on if they're painted, coated or chrome, and so will other parts.
And btw, you don't state which model of Corvette you have, but for the Z51 suspension, the Goodyear All Seasons Runflats are not listed as being recommended for the Corvette at tirerack (see: http://www.tirerack.com/tires/TireSe...=57950&tab=All). The only AllSeason runflats recommended are the Michelins, and I think the reason they don't have much write up on them is that they're a new "model" for Corvettes.
As to rusting and corrosion, while the body isn't metal, there is both aluminum and steel used throughout the underside of the car. Aluminum does corrode, such as your wheels depending on if they're painted, coated or chrome, and so will other parts.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,066
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From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
You will not see that much snow in that area so your car will not suffer too much from salt, etc. Winter tires will work best especially if they are narrower than the stock tires. I used to daily drive my old big block Corvettes year round in up state New York and was able to get around quite well with snow tires. I lived on a steep hill and never got stuck on the hill although I was able to stop and pick up neighbors as they walked up the hill after leaving their regular cars at the bottom. In deep snow the trick is to keep the front wheels from riding up on the snow. Once that happens you will lose steering and the car will come to a stop. If you can keep the front tires on the ground the car can do quite well pushing snow for a short distance (overheating concern due to blocking radiator). It is best to have a manual shift car Vs an automatic so you can start in a higher gear and control the torque on start.
Bill
Bill
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From: Paris
Race Director
Joined: May 2001
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From: Guelph, Ontario
You can start in a higher gear in the automatic also though. Even in my automatic 98 I can start out in second gear. That feature has saved my butt many times in heavy snow! It definitely works well.
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Sep 2009
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From: MD
Thanks everyone! As to the questions, I will have my C6 in the next couple of weeks 
I couldn't be more excited!
As far as driving in the snow, I don't have much experience because I grew up in South Carolina and lived in Hawaii for the past 5 years. With that said though, I did live in Greenville for a few years (where it did snow once or twice a year) and I had a camaro that I took to Tennessee during the winter when I was in college. Driving my camaro in the snow up a mountain (we had a cabin at the top) I learned just how careful you have to be. Granted, that's been a while ago But, at the same time I'm not one to go out and take it to the extreme... Slow and steady will be the way for a while until she and I get to know each others driving characteristics.
I especially want to thank everyone for their encouragement. I'm so glad to hear that all of the fun doesn't have to end during the winter. If I can't enjoy my ride into work in the morning, I'm going to be very cranky :P
The first thing I will do once I get my vette will be to equip her with the Pirelli's! You guys are a wealth of knowledge!!
I couldn't be more excited! As far as driving in the snow, I don't have much experience because I grew up in South Carolina and lived in Hawaii for the past 5 years. With that said though, I did live in Greenville for a few years (where it did snow once or twice a year) and I had a camaro that I took to Tennessee during the winter when I was in college. Driving my camaro in the snow up a mountain (we had a cabin at the top) I learned just how careful you have to be. Granted, that's been a while ago
But, at the same time I'm not one to go out and take it to the extreme... Slow and steady will be the way for a while until she and I get to know each others driving characteristics.I especially want to thank everyone for their encouragement. I'm so glad to hear that all of the fun doesn't have to end during the winter. If I can't enjoy my ride into work in the morning, I'm going to be very cranky :P
The first thing I will do once I get my vette will be to equip her with the Pirelli's! You guys are a wealth of knowledge!!
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,424
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From: Placitas New Mexico
I was going to put snow tires on my vette until I saw what a set of Pirellis cost. With snow tires you should also get a set of wheels as the wide tires don't like being taken off and on much. I bought a $1500.00 beater instead and I am very happy with this move! I highly recommend this.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2004
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From: Northcentral, Pennsylvania
St. Jude Donor '09-'11
You probably won't have many problems in s. MD, but I don't even think about driving my DD C6 here in the mountains of northcentral PA while it is snowing. Rear wheel drive cars are more challenging to drive when the roads are slippery, and with hp.,tq., tires, low clearance of the C6 it becomes even more difficult. Even snow flurries can freeze to the road surface, making uphill stretches dangerous to impossible. When road surfaces are treated with salt (or whatever) and it is still snowing hard, the surface becomes a slippery mass of slush until it is plowed.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
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From: Toronto, Canada
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
I drive my car all year-round here in Canada but avoid days when I know it is going to snow. Note that I am running stock tires (and will be my first Winter with the Firestones).
With regards to salt etc., I wash the car regularly and it should be okay for the 6-7 years that I keep the car.
With regards to salt etc., I wash the car regularly and it should be okay for the 6-7 years that I keep the car.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2008
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From: Paris
But this means buying two sets of front rims which I didn't manage to do, so I bought the extra set of rims and slapped on the pirellis.
a++ Cedric
ps: Don't put chains on the wheels, it won't fit at all. I've tried several brands in the garage and all will hit something.
There is a guy here that bought something special for the Vette that is sold by some Swiss company but it's over 500$ for a pair of chains (rear wheel only) for the C6.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2000
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From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
...
And btw, you don't state which model of Corvette you have, but for the Z51 suspension, the Goodyear All Seasons Runflats are not listed as being recommended for the Corvette at tirerack (see: http://www.tirerack.com/tires/TireSe...=57950&tab=All). The only AllSeason runflats recommended are the Michelins, and I think the reason they don't have much write up on them is that they're a new "model" for Corvettes.
...
And btw, you don't state which model of Corvette you have, but for the Z51 suspension, the Goodyear All Seasons Runflats are not listed as being recommended for the Corvette at tirerack (see: http://www.tirerack.com/tires/TireSe...=57950&tab=All). The only AllSeason runflats recommended are the Michelins, and I think the reason they don't have much write up on them is that they're a new "model" for Corvettes.
...
When I just looked, the Tire Rack website doesn't show the Goodyear All Season runflats at all for the C6. Others have commented on that before, when they called Tire Rack they were told the tires were available and recommended for the C6 Coupe/Vert. The wheels and the snow can't tell what suspension you have, so I'm guessing it's a computer glitch or supply problem.
The Goodyear A/S tires are limited to 160 mph, if that's an issue in your area.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2000
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From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13