The "Sonic in the snow" MASTER thread

[Stanley]

That's reversed from everything I've ever seen or experienced. FWD is better than RWD in snow, with 4x4/AWD being best. I've done all.

 

[sonicgirl81]

Update- Took my Sonic out on 4 inches of snow (country roads)- salted but drifting. Handles good- around 10 under the speed limit with curves. Yes, the tires aren't great. But, it's Wisconsin in December. I will be getting all weather or snow tires when I can. Handles about the same as the Cavaliers I've had for 15 years. Way better than the 5 speed Dodge Omni I owned in high school!

I hate winter and winter driving. . .but the Sonic was decent. As long as I'm not plowing snow with the next big storm. . .

Sent from my YP-G70 using Tapatalk 2

 

[Papasonic]

I also agree that front drive is better to get around with in winter/snow conditions. What I don't like about front drivers in winter conditions is the tendency to under steer or plow when going around corners. At least with a rear drive vehicle in winter conditions, the ability to steer the rear with throttle application makes negotiating corners less scary.

 

[ahtoxa]

The question isn't how the Sonic handles in the snow, it's about how good are the tires on it, which factory tires are not; not for snow, at least.

Any car with proper winter tires can be driven through the average winter with no problem.

 

[ahtoxa]

I bought my old LS2 GTO in the early winter and before I had time to acquire a winter beater I was surprised with a winter storm. Getting home on summer performance tires during ice and snow was a bit of a white knuckle drive. I was probably sideways half the time :lol:

 

[Beastlick]

I put a set of blizzaks on saturday and im very happy I dont have to deal with the stock tires like I did last winter.

 

[sonicgirl81]

The question isn't how the Sonic handles in the snow, it's about how good are the tires on it, which factory tires are not; not for snow, at least.

Any car with proper winter tires can be driven through the average winter with no problem.

True- unless you get 12 inches of snow and the car becomes a plow. But I agree, although back in the day hatchbacks were so light they needed weight in the trunk. I wasn't sure how weight distribution would factor in on the Sonic.

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[sonicgirl81]

I put a set of blizzaks on saturday and im very happy I dont have to deal with the stock tires like I did last winter.

Can I ask how much you paid for your tires? You know what winter in Wisconsin is like. . .if I could I would pack up and move somewhere sunny and warm year round. . .

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[Beastlick]

I put a set of blizzaks on saturday and im very happy I dont have to deal with the stock tires like I did last winter.

 

[ahtoxa]

True- unless you get 12 inches of snow and the car becomes a plow. But I agree, although back in the day hatchbacks were so light they needed weight in the trunk. I wasn't sure how weight distribution would factor in on the Sonic.

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In my experience, weight in the back is only needed for rear wheel drive cars and specifically RWD pickups. This is to add weight over the drive wheels to add traction.

With the Sonic, as well as any other front wheel drive car where the engine is also in the front, this is not necessary, as most of the weight is already over the drive wheels.

 

[Steely]

I would get snow tires or a better set of tires. The stock ones suck. I was up near Phillips and with the snow they got, it didn't get around well.

 

[Swordsmith]

Out in the snowfall this morning, Sonic (with Sumitomo tires, not the stock ones, which I recall were awful in any slippery condition) climbed hills where other cars were pulling off the road and turning around, no problem stopping or steering, other than a faint swerve coming to a full stop, and again when starting out on a slick spot facing uphill. My principal concern with the Sonic in the snow isn't the Sonic at all, it's the other people who don't know how to drive and who have cars that don't handle as well.

 

[Chevrolet Customer Care]

Congrats on the Sonic. I'm glad that it's handling well in the snow for you. If you decide to get winter tires and need your wheel/tire sizes please PM me and I can get that info to you. Enjoy the snow...or at least try to.

Jackie
Chevrolet Customer Care

 

[Beastlick]

I found a set on Craigslist for 325 but talked him down to 250 and only used 1 season

 

[attrapereves]

First time out with the Sonic in snow. It did pretty well. The orange traction control light came on a few times and I could feel the card slipping. I could also feel the ABS pulsating a few times when braking. Nice and slow driving and the Sonic does well.

 

[Sonic]

With the stock Hankooks, the car is god awful in the snow. Today,for the first time ever in my life, I was temporarily stuck in snow (4"), and I was on city streets! I will probably go get some true snow tires for the fronts tomorrow. I have zero faith in the car's ability to make it through snow as it sits right now.

 

[$ub$onic]

It's a real slick wet snow.

Car is going like a tank, plenty of grip.

But it's getting worse the closer I get home so who knows.

 

[Chevy2012sonic]

I have a question. I was trying to make it up a hill in this snow storm and all of a sudden my ads light came on like the fuse was blown and then I made it up bit my question is. Is the abs suposed to do that?


2012 chevy sonic

 

[sx sonic]

I'm assuming the road was slick. If the tires start spinning the symbol that looks like a car fishtailing will come on or flash and the ABS will modulate the brakes to stop the spinning wheel/s, there may be some audible noise when this happens

Letting off the throttle would cause this to stop.

 

[13sonic]

Welcome!

i'm in Ohio with all the snow too. i'll try and live with the stockers. if they become an issue i will put on a set of snows on the front. i drive cautiously in the winter so i may be alright. i don't have far to travel.