With most of the posts. One thing missing, up here in the PNW is that you can go out at one time of day and the roads are fine. The next minute they will change. Sun will melt any snow and then the cold later in the day may make it ice. Shaded areas may have ice through the day from overnight freeze and you don't know till you hit it. And we can get a couple inches of snow real fast, and if it's cold it's just about like ice. The big tires love it, they think they are ski's.

I have the DWS06 Continentals and I got them for the softer quieter ride and the cooler weather we have and they were less than $1000 out the door from Discount Tire.
The D means Dry, the W means Wet and the S means snow. They are marked on the tread and means after they are worn off you are loosing that grip the tire was intended for. The S will be the first to go.

The 5/32 you mention is 1/2 10/32 of tread and so the 3/32 is about time to think about changing even in good weather. On the original run flats you could be hydroplaning in in a little more than average highway speeds especially in cooler weather.?

With any hills it will be difficult to stop or start with much snow and any ice. Doesn't make any difference how good a driver you are, let alone the drivers around you. Just my experience in my area with the Vette. You describe a different situation, but it's never 100% the way you think it will be. good luck.

 

With proper tires and driving skill it can be done. A local guy here has been driving his corvettes year round for 10+ years. We get a fair share of lake effect snow and I've seen him out even when it's coming down pretty good. Not only does he drive in it, He also tows with it. Few pics for reference.




And yes... Hes parked on a frozen lake in this picture

 

Limited info to make your point.....Doesn't take much skill to park a car on a frozen lake....don't see the comparison to driving it on a frozen lake at 30-40 MPH, then stop and turn where he would like too in traffic. Maybe a little with some good studded snow tires. Like to see him driving it also with 2 feet of snow in front of him. Driving skills is knowing your limits I guess but sure doesn't cover everything. JMO

 

You will be dragging the splitter and packing snow into the radiator in anything over about an inch and a half of snow. Not to mention what happens when you inevitably hit those big, frozen chunks lying in wait in the road. Leave the Vette at home and drive something more appropriate in the snow that has proper ground clearance. Go ahead and drive it after the roads have been cleared if you want, but obviously have proper tires on it and be vigilant for frozen ice patches.

 

This is one of those times when yes, while we all have the right to our opinions, sometimes those opinions are just...well....you know. Driving any year Corvette in the snow is just not a good idea (regardless of how many pics one see's of someone towing in the snow with their Vette...) for multiple reasons, many explained in this thread.....

 

I think many of you live in areas with more snow fall than where I live. Most snow where in live doesn't stick on the road as temperatures don't stay cold enough long enough. In the coldest month temperatures are just below freezing at night and above freezing during the day. Our average annually snow fall is 13 inches. Only 4.1 days a year on average have snow depth exceeding 1 inch. Those 4.1 days of the year the corvette would be sidelined my question was more about the remaining days.

 

With 2 feet of snow a corvette isn't going to be the only car having trouble or possibly getting stuck. My main point was to show that while not practical it can be done and a corvette is more versatile than most make it out to be.

You can drive most any car year round as long as you drive to the conditions and know your limits. Experience and knowing how your car will react also helps.

This isn't your normal winter driving but its a cool video

 

I didn't!

I picked up a Lincoln MKS (3.5L TT) 2 years back, it was cheaper than an SHO with lots more options. It's not LS2 fast, but it's a fast car. AWD is stellar in the snow

 

And having followed the thread, and your intermittent comments, the best answer is put Conti DWS on it and don't look back.

I'm a bit north of you (near Philly; maybe 25" snow/year). Fitted those Contis on my Vettes for a number of years and never had a problem up to 3" of snow. However, I now have a "backup" vehicle and so do summer tires on the Vette One must be much more cautious. Got caught out in an unexpected light dusting last winter and could not believe how frightening it was! Could not get it up my inclined driveway once I finally got home and had to wait for the warm-up just to safely get it in the garage!

 

Thanks for the advice. I appreciate the help. I will get the contenentals, hold on to my back up vehicle and make sure it stays up and running for when snow is forcasted.

 

Good for him, not so good for that poor Vette

 

would love to know the tire size and type. I have a z06 though. been hard to find tires because even if the right size bit wider. exists i cant find it, the suppliers arent willing to put in the time to help. I have oem rims and a set of 19/20's that are a bit wider. I dont think i can use base c6 rims on my z but would be willing to buy a set of winter rims.

 

 

With the wrong tires, you might do better with a bicycle as your winter beater.

Look right at 1:10...

 

I switch tires back and forth and leave them on the rims for easier on and off . use the summer ones , and all season for winter.
But I just keep the tires on the rims and switch back and forth.(bought dif rims than they came with those are trash)

Also I know many don't like the never flats but thats all i use I do not want to be stuck anywhere no matter what the weather. As far as worrying about the salt I make sure when my trip is over or even while still on the road to stop somewhere and make sure it is nice and clean. It WILL get filthy that is for sure.

And snow actually is not your problem It is ice, tell your wife to really take it easy if the roads are going to be icy. I have only had to actually stop mid-trip one time because of snow . It can be done but its nerve racking!

 

Uhhhh...3/32 is discard time on a wide tire with a lot of power. 5/32 is borderline. Any amount of water on the road could easily lead to hydro-planing. I suggest you get all-season tires, and leave them on year-round.

 

Since this thread originated in 2017, I'm fairly certain that decisions were made to either buy AS tires, or not drive the C6 in snow.
Either way, owners have a right to do whatever they want with their car. Even on dry pavement driving, 3/32 is replacement depth for sure. If you have one of these mounted to your C6, winter driving is a go!

 

I couldn't plow my driveway even with snow tires, so I had to hire this babe to put chains on:


Attachment 48347112


And of course you can always put a snowblower on it: