Winter Road Trip with salty roads
 

Hey All,

I'm moving from upstate NY to the northern NJ this month and I'm trying to figure out the best way to get my GS down there. We have already received a ton of snow, thus, a ton of salt.

I have the stock tires on, and I'm wondering... with temps looking sunny and ~30F throughout the trip (including the day prior so minimal concern on wet salty roads), do you think A: it's worth driving the 300mi down despite the salt already on the roads? B: Would the tires be able to handle the 'less than ideal' temperatures/conditions (if it does decide to snow)?
It would be the only winter trip it would have to take and I'd be sure to get the undercarriage cleaned up once I got to my destination.

I know what you're thinking... ship it enclosed! While I've done that before, I unfortunately have a one or two day window where it needs to be picked up. The whole "90% guarantee it will ship within 1-7 days" isn't going to cut it this time around. To ensure it getting delivered in the time I need it shipped requires a 4-digit before the decimal number, which I'm not keen on doing.

Other factors (maybe?): Except for the undercarriage, the car is completely ceramic coated, including the rims (ceramic pro gold package, courtesy of White Glove Auto Detailing). Car has less than 3k mi on it. Planning on keeping it for +25yrs.

Wisdom and guidance appreciated!
Greg


https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...b54c58e03b.jpg

Hey Greg,

It seems you haven't given yourself much choice.

Things to consider, if the temperatures are really 30 or below, I would be concerned driving on the summer tires. There are documented issues with the summer tires cracking in cold temps. That said, I think that has more to do with cold tires suddenly heating up and getting bumped from uneven roads (pot holes), rather that just the temperature. Also, the tires will have significant less traction in colder temperatures.

Has it rained recently, when was the last snow fall? The roads won't be covered in salt for weeks on end after a snow. Plus, it snot like you are driving in the salt flats. Wash the car and you should be ok. If you are really worried, wash it more than once or put on jacks and power wash the underside until you are satisfied there is no salt left.

30F is getting low for the stock tires but if it's clear and dry and you drive normal you should be OK. It was 35F when I picked up my Z06, with wet roads and light snow flurries and I got it home fine with no issues. Now granted it wasn't a 300 mile trip but....

Can you not store it somewhere and ship it form the storage place?

Drive it is my vote.
Clean it up when you get wherever you are going.
I would drive it in the next few rainstorms to clean the undercarriage. Im sure someone will be off the deep end over that idea, but that is how I would handle the salt situation.

You will fine driving it with those tires. The whole thing with them cracking etc. is way overblown. If needed you can use weather mode for additional traction. Other than needing a good cleaning you should have no issues. I have driven my Z06 on the Summer tires in some real crappy weather/temperatures with no problems at all.

Thanks all for the info, folks. I'm going to hold off for now due to other logistical issues (two dogs, one in particular who likes to bite door trim in other cars), so the corvette move is postponed. Regardless of that, your info has been super helpful.

Still looking at both options. Potentially a bigger window at the end of the month to ship it or drive it (if weather can hold up). Crossing fingers for a better opportunity.

I'm sure a lot of you are thinking 'you need to give yourself more time!' Trust me, I wish I could too haha. Moving/Work/Training/Personal events all at once this next month!

Also, thanks for the compliments on the 'vette! Can't wait for warmer weather and unsalted roads!

Ship it, pure and simple!

Salt can and will get everywhere and stay indefinitely no matter how well you clean under and supposedly everywhere.

I've spent 30 years racing at Bonneville and believe me, I avoid ALL other salt no matter what. If I lived in a locale that salted the roads I'd have a beater for driving during those times. All the best! :yesnod:

Put it in storage until spring and then drive it. I don't think its worth the risk if you plan on keeping it for awhile.

We don't get much salt (and I try to avoid driving when we get snow until streets are generally clear because of where we live), but I bought one of these and have used it mainly just for cleaning the underside after mud, etc. Works well for me. Easy too.
https://www.theunderwasher.com/

That thing looks very cheap. The water doesn't even come out evenly. Sprinker seems to be a better bet.

If you decide on the drive? With temps below freezing how are you properly gonna rinse the crap off.Got a heated garage and a lift? Then blow it dry above freezing temps to remove the crap before it refreezes.
Guess it depends on how clean is your clean.
Can you rent a Enclosed trailer?Gonna need a decent truck to tow.Work out your numbers.
IS77Z has a good idea with local storage then Ship.
The traction with these cup tires when cold ain't trust worthy.It can be done very carefully.Would suck if traction is needed for braking too in case of a incident.
What you gonna tell your insurance company if a crash happened and the adjuster knows all about the Safe tire temps?
Just a couple things to think about.

Get your knowledge straight before your Criticize! GS has Cup tires.Have you driven on cold cup tires?Panic stopped on Cup Tires?Turned to avoid a crash over 50 on Cold Cup Tires.HA
OP,Asked i delivered.Got anything positive to add??
Well....

^
this.
Take it easy going home. Next clear day or so, get to a car wash with a power spray gun and give the under carriage a good cleaning. I'd hit it a couple of good cycles with soap and then a final rinse. I ran a C4 for years in Illinois w/ salty roads and the car cleaned up and looked like a garage queen.

If that's your Escalade does it have a trailer hitch ? If so go rent a enclosed or open trailer. If not check out cost to install hitch. No worries about driving GS with cold/salt let alone a possible few inches of snow. With open trailer salt might be on paint but not as much on undercarriage as if you were driving.