The "Sonic in the snow" MASTER thread
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laborsmith
New member
The Sonic handles as well in winter weather as any other front wheel drive car I have owned. The Sonic I drive is a turbocharged 1.4L with a 6 speed manual transmission.
We did have a rather calm winter here but enough of a winter to say that much.
Laborsmith
We did have a rather calm winter here but enough of a winter to say that much.
Laborsmith
flyfishinwoman
New member
I'm gonna find out this winter, and was debating whether to put studded or non-studded snowies on. We get lots of packed snow and a fair bit of ice here, so I'm thinking I will go with the studded, perhaps the Nokian Hakkapeliitta 7.
Aldakoopa
New member
I was thinking about asking this as well. XD I have an automatic though, but I live in eastern NC, if you tell somebody it's snowing the first thing they say is "No it ain't!" and go look for themselves. I've only driven in snow once in my mother's car, and I only drove about a mile away and that was it.
However, this December I have a trip planned to go to the mountains of NC, which is more likely to have snow than it is on the coast, but then after that I'm driving all the way up to Ohio. Wonderful time to visit the Buckeye state, don't ya think?
There was a comic I saw before that I can't find, but it has a man from Georgia driving in the north during winter, and he hits a tiny patch of ice in a pothole, he exclaims "WHAT THE SH!T" and proceeds to completely lose control of the vehicle... it's much funnier in the comic, but that's probably going to be me.
However, this December I have a trip planned to go to the mountains of NC, which is more likely to have snow than it is on the coast, but then after that I'm driving all the way up to Ohio. Wonderful time to visit the Buckeye state, don't ya think?
There was a comic I saw before that I can't find, but it has a man from Georgia driving in the north during winter, and he hits a tiny patch of ice in a pothole, he exclaims "WHAT THE SH!T" and proceeds to completely lose control of the vehicle... it's much funnier in the comic, but that's probably going to be me.
slimjim550
New member
We bought our Sonic at the end of April so we do not have any idea yet on how it will handle in the snow. But I can say one issue to keep a eye on is the Sonics low ground clearance. So I would say if you get over 5 to 6 inches we may have some problems. Our other car "Cobalt" dose not handle real good in deep snow (not as good as our son's car "Malibu") but a lot has to do with the tires. But as I said we will have to wait until the snow falls to find out for sure.
ahtoxa
New member
A lot of people often make snow handling comments regarding various makes and models of cars. The most odd ones I've read were along the lines of "the car handled like crap in snow and I hated it, so I sold it after 2 winters".
As another poster said before, cars of similar weight, drivetrain configuration and wheelbase will handle snow very similarly given the tires are identical. Now this is the important part - tires make all the difference. The question here should be how the specific tires that are on your Sonic handle winter, rather than how Sonic does. For that information, I'm sure there are lots of reviews on tirerack.com for this specific tire.
As another poster said before, cars of similar weight, drivetrain configuration and wheelbase will handle snow very similarly given the tires are identical. Now this is the important part - tires make all the difference. The question here should be how the specific tires that are on your Sonic handle winter, rather than how Sonic does. For that information, I'm sure there are lots of reviews on tirerack.com for this specific tire.
LS1notFOUND
New member
From the bit of mud and loose dirt I've taken mine on I've been pleased.
The Traction control does a good job of clamping that spinning wheel and sending the power to the grippy one. Works a lot like a brake differential I would say.
The Traction control does a good job of clamping that spinning wheel and sending the power to the grippy one. Works a lot like a brake differential I would say.
laborsmith
New member
Tire selection is the answer.
If sub zero is the norm, tire that retain their flexibility will work wonders.
If snow accumulation is the norm tires with the right tread will work wonders.
If your area experiences a few of each than OEM tires will do.
Summer tires (which the Sonic does not offer) will be responsible for horrible handling in either condition.
I repeat, for winter driving in true winter conditions, tire selection trumps any other consideration: power, fwd or 4wd, even ground clearance.
Laborsmith
If sub zero is the norm, tire that retain their flexibility will work wonders.
If snow accumulation is the norm tires with the right tread will work wonders.
If your area experiences a few of each than OEM tires will do.
Summer tires (which the Sonic does not offer) will be responsible for horrible handling in either condition.
I repeat, for winter driving in true winter conditions, tire selection trumps any other consideration: power, fwd or 4wd, even ground clearance.
Laborsmith
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I bought my 1.6 auto last october 1. We had a bad snow storm here in St. Louis with about 4-5 inches of snow, and I was coming home from work. I was probably driving a little too fast and applied the brakes. While the anti-locks worked perfectly, I saw I didn't have enough space to stop before hitting the car in front of me. I thought, I could force the new car into the median and stop, hit the car in front of me, or try to steer around it. I picked the later, and while keeping presure on the brakes, I steered to the right and then to the left, NO fish tail, no skidding, just pure joy, i didn't rear end that guy. My Lincoln LS would have skidded into the back end of that car, even with anti lock brakes, that hung of junk wouldn't have performed like the sonic!
CyberGreyTURBOZ
New member
I received my sonic to late to get into any real snow... not that we really got any last season. I bought 16in. snow tires last spring to run on my sonic this winter. I just need to pick out some rims soon and get winter mode ready. I have been running snow tires for a few years now and will never drive in the snow and cold without them again. I swear by them and have even convinced many of my friends and family members on getting them. The five cars my family drives in the snow have some form of a snow tire either hand me down with rubber left or new tires purchased before the first winter on the new cars. I have used Blizzaks, Dunlops, and i purchased a different brand for my sonic because of cost and to give them a shot.
laborsmith
New member
Yes it will. I used to drive a SAAB Sonett and that handled ice, snow and any other winter condition like no bodys business and it weighed 1900lbs.
And numerous front wheel drive cars since then did nothing to prove that wrong.
But modern American sports cars, with their engine in the front and their drive wheels in the rear, no fun in winter, to the point my boss would release me early just so he and my co-workers would not need to push me out of the parking lot onto Van **** so I could head home.
Winter tires or not, you will be happy with how the Sonic handles winter.
Laborsmith
And numerous front wheel drive cars since then did nothing to prove that wrong.
But modern American sports cars, with their engine in the front and their drive wheels in the rear, no fun in winter, to the point my boss would release me early just so he and my co-workers would not need to push me out of the parking lot onto Van **** so I could head home.
Winter tires or not, you will be happy with how the Sonic handles winter.
Laborsmith
Maddmatts
Member
Good winter tires help, but they don't let someone drive like it's still summer. The driver's mindset makes all the difference. As long as you can keep the leadfoot on a leash, be able to think a few more seconds ahead, and keep from making sudden movements with the controls, the sonic should keep you on the road.
ahtoxa
New member
The lighter the better, anyway. With good grip from winter tires, I'd rather drive a light car in snow than a heavy car with the same type of tire and drivetrain layout.
If you are going to get dedicated snow tires, consider going narrower as well. Narrow tires has better stability in snow and you don't want to float over it, unlike in mud.
laborsmith
New member
Ambivalent about the light car thing although the Sonett was at least as good as 4WD on icy slick roads w/ less than 4 inches of snow.
Of course if you live or work in Devils Lake, ND, winter tires may well be called for.
Laborsmith
Of course if you live or work in Devils Lake, ND, winter tires may well be called for.
Laborsmith
slimjim550
New member
As for handling driving on a slippery roads tires will make a big difference. Also how you drive will also make a big difference. As to how the Sonic will handle snow and ice with the OEC tires only time will tell. I have the Hankook Optimo H428 on mine. That said in my area we can get over 6 inches of snow (and more) from time to time and if its not lake effect I would not expect too much from my Sonic no matter what kind of tires that I put on the car.
Mikebfbsdy
New member
I Agree 100%.
While generally FWD is much better than RWD, and AWD is slightly better than FWD, the tires are the biggest factor. Get a set of All seasons that are rated good in the snow, or snow tires, and you'll be fine.
