Hey everyone!

I've got a question. My wife and I got our corvette in early April and since then my wife has used it at her primary car since she traded in her Camry. She wants to keep driving it all winter too. When we bought the car it came with summer tires, which I have managed to convince are not safe in the winter so she wants me with making sure she can drive it sun, rain, and snow all winter.

The summer tires have around 3/32 to 5/32 tread remaining. I live in Northern Virginia which is mostly just cold and icy with a little snow dusting here and there. If there is any significant snow fall I can telework and she can use the SAAB. My thoughts are to put all season tires on the car but feel like I'm getting rid of perfectly good summer tires then. Should I keep the summer tires and put them back on next summer? Should I get winter tires, even though that feels like over kill where I live and would be super expensive to switch twice a year or get a second set of rims? Are there other corvette drivers that have some winter driving advice? How much should salt and sand worry me?
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Let me be the first---and others will probably chime in. There are those who use their C6s all winter. There are those who use it up until there's 3"+ of snow on the ground. There are even those who use, or get stuck in icy situations with their Corvettes and motor right through it. But the vast majority do not use their Corvettes. Two very real reasons are the width of the tires and the low clearance. The first makes it less grippy, and the second means it will "snow plow"--build up a wall of snow in front that eventually will halt the car. For many/most owners it would become one of their worst "white-knuckle" experiences in driving their Corvettes during winter's bad conditions.

The grip is the main issue, in my opinion. Unless your wife is really an excellent driver in snow, ice, rain she may have an "experience." For that reason, I wouldn't recommend her using the car except on dry conditions. And even then, if she meets an ice patch, it will be dicey. Also, as you may know, "summer" tires are not made for great traction even on completely dry roads, below a certain ambient temp---they lose their grip as the cooler/cold air increases, such as below 50, below 40. etc. If you or your wife didn't know that, now you do.

The only way to reduce that risk is to get the best possible all season tires available, IMO. They are pricey, but one wreck, one deductible will defray that cost of tires. It will be "the price you pay" to want to stay in that car which, while "lab" tested in all forms of weather, is not really built for most of it. Again,, jmo.

As to salt, sand, etc. of course it will have an effect. Maybe not on the paint or body but every other metal part will corrode such as the aluminum but it is meant to do that (assumes you can always repaint the car just like any other if the paint gets too bad from cinders, rocks, salt pellets, etc.). As long as you either don't go looking under the car or ignore it when you do, the corrosion or rust will be no different than other cars. Your starter motor connections are one of the more vulnerable.

That's a quick rundown.

 

You will probably need to let her drive your vehicle. Contenental makes a great all season tire rated for snow. The Vette wont like sitting outside in freezing temps so make sure you have a fresh battery. If you did buy another set of wheels get some a little narrower. Its going to be a white knuckle experience at times.
You might consider getting a beater to drive for the winter and keeping Vette in garage, thats what I would do. Good luck.

 

Thanks that about conferms my thoughts. I'm aware of the issue with summer tires in the cold. On top of traction issues it can damage the tires which is why I didn't want her to drive it at all. But she insisted so spending money on all seasons looks like a must.

Your right about skill level though. I took a course after I slid my patents toyota sequia into the middle of an intersection on a red light. I haven't had an issue since. I might get her a course in addition to the tires. The good news is her commute to work is only 5 miles and a max speed of 45mph. Good to hear others drive their Corvette in winter. In my case at least it won't see more than 1" of snow if even. 3" in northern virginia is a large storm.

As far as salt unlike my other cars the frame structure should be safe from rust?

 

The continental was exactly the tire I was looking at, nice to hear a good review. I have my 35 year old truck that can go into service if it gets bad and she can use the SAAB.

 

That sounds like a great plan to me.
Best of luck!

 

I know guys who've done it and it wrecks the car, especially in re-sale.

I'd walk, or better yet, use my sled before ever driving a Corvette in the winter!

 

Our corvette is never going to be sold. The plan to run it till it dies and do a restoration and run it until it dies again.

 

I drove my 07' every day for four years, except in the snow. I'd wait until the cleanup was over to take it out. I drove the original tires, cautiously, when the temps got real low (16*) until they heated up and the pressures went up. However, I switched to Michelin A/S ZP tires and never looked back. The Michelin tires handle really good in the cold and the rain. But, I never did take a chance in the snow with them. I suppose an inch or so wouldn't matter that much, but, I wouldn't take the chance. Too many crazy people here don't know how to drive in the snow anyway.
I retired in 2011 and now my Vette only gets driven in the spring through fall.

 

I bought Conti DWS06 (all-season) so I can drive mine year round. I don't take it out in the snow, which is rare here anyway, but wouldn't hesitate to take it out in the cold.

I've never been a fan of summer-only tires. And I'd guess 90%+ of Corvette drivers wouldn't notice the handling difference since they're so infrequently driven at the limit.

 

If she is willing to commit to cutting that 45mph down to 25mph, max, she might be safe, or not. The combination of extremely wide tread and relatively light weight do not make the Vette a safe car on ice or even small amounts of snow.

i know there are many people who drive their Vettes in such conditions, and I certainly don't fault them. They are either very cautious, or very good, drivers, or both. Most people, though, will wind up sliding a 3200 pound vehicle sideways down a stretch of ice. That never ends well....

 

I live in Colorado and we get ice and snow all the time, beginning today, actually. I do not drive my gorgeous Corvette when temps are below 28 degree and there's no sunshine, as the car is not a fan of goosebumps cold weather. If your wife persists in driving the Vette in cold weather where there is even a possibility of ice or snow, I would buy more Life Insurance on her.

 

that is very well put, tyler. too many folks are saying, "sure, no problem, it will be okay" or similar, when they don't have a clue what kind of driver she is.

my wife is a pretty careful driver, and there is no way I would let her use the vette as her daily in icy winter weather. it just makes no sense, in my opinion.

 

Well good for you. But driving it in the snow regularly means you shouldn't have to wait long to start restoring it....

 

The average low temperature in the coldest month where I live is 29 degrees. There won't likely be many days below 28 here... January and February are usually the only months with sub-freezing temps.

 

It is a rear drive Chevy with a lot of power. Yes you can drive it in winter. No it will not reduce resale value. Its a car. Want an investment? try a mutual fund. Just be careful until you get used to the car in snow. Not rocket science. Just use your driving skills. I see more 4x4s in the ditch because they think they are invincible in the snow. I calmly pass by in my Chevy.

 

Your wife insists on driving the Corvette all winter? I predict after the first time she scares the **** out of herself, she will be insisting you buy her a winter car.

 

buy an SHO

 

Creepy did you look at my browser history? Are you spying on me?

How did you know I've been looking for a SHO.

 

Im in southeast VA, granted we are somewhat warmer than you all up there but I drive mine all year round except in snow and ice, I will not take it out if they put the brine down on the roads in anticipation of snow. I have the Continental DWS06 on mine and dont have any problems in the cold or rain