Snow driving review

[$ub$onic]

So I'll start off by saying I have a 1.8 5 speed with the stock tires on it. We have about 2 inches of snow right now and only about 1 inch on the road. I was very impressed with the stock tires for the forward traction and the stoping power was to be expected ... sucky.... so here is my rating from 1-10 1 being the worse ( I am a very good winter driver for anyone wondering )

Forward traction 5 ( as long as ur easy on the throttle )

Braking 2

Corners 4

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[d.p]

hahahah do you have TC on?

 

[$ub$onic]

Yes I did

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[d.p]

try forward traction again with TC all the way off

 

[$ub$onic]

OK will do. I have to run to town again tonight so I'll try it again

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[d.p]

only reasoning is the TC is over-controlling when it starts getting wheel spin.

 

[$ub$onic]

I could still soon the tires if u wanted to

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[Maddmatts]

I just did some driving in 1-2" of snow in my 1.4 LTZ. Traction control or not, it had trouble getting power to the ground and get moving. I had to be pretty careful with braking to not slide through intersections too.

The 205 width Hankook's are ok when the roads are a little icey but as soon as snow or slush gets added, traction becomes a real issue.

In my case I would give the Forward Traction rating a 4. I agree with the other ratings though.

 

[sonic hotness]

We never get snow here

 

[14T6MT]

From what I've read the Hankooks are great overall but mediocre in anything more than light snow. I never got a chance to tackle snow with the stock tires but I'm running Continental extreme contact DWS and I was really impressed with winter handling characteristics. I got those tires specifically because they have outstanding winter performance, close to a dedicated snow tire.
A lightweight front-drive car with good tires can be delightful for spirited driving in snow. This sonic with these tires reminds me of my old '89 Chevy Nova with blizzaks...it's a visceral experience and you can throw the car around with graceful precision.
I'd love to hear some feedback from those with dedicated snow tires and lowered cars.
To anyone in northern climes looking for an all-season that's quite good in summer but SERIOUSLY impressive in snow, I highly recommend the extreme contact DWS.

 

[14T6MT]

Also, I love the black roof $ub$onic. Nice touch.

 

[$ub$onic]

Also, I love the black roof $ub$onic. Nice touch.

Thanks 3 cans of plastidip and 2 hours of boardum .... so I did the tc test. One on a hill one on flat


Hill tc off. U spin up It
Hill tc on. It shuts u down. U Eather get stuck or u will eventually make it up.
Flat 2000rpm dump in 1st tc off. U sit and spin
Flat 2000rpm dump in 1st tc on. No spin and u go straight.

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[small town sonic]

If i were you i would get rid of the stock tires. Last year right after I got my sonic we got a couple of inches of snow and it was still snowing when i left for work at 3pm. I was sliding and spinning up and down hills on Rt 28 with no more than an inch of snow on them. My dad even had trouble handeling my car with them the next morning when we went to go get me winter treads. Since i got my winter treads i havent had really any trouble in the snow other than when im screwing around on hill trying to get stuck.

 

[mitdr774]

I just did some driving in 1-2" of snow in my 1.4 LTZ. Traction control or not, it had trouble getting power to the ground and get moving. I had to be pretty careful with braking to not slide through intersections too.

The 205 width Hankook's are ok when the roads are a little icey but as soon as snow or slush gets added, traction becomes a real issue.

In my case I would give the Forward Traction rating a 4. I agree with the other ratings though.

205 width and a "low" profile three season is not going to do well in winter.


Last winter I had no issue driving my Z24 in the snow with winter tires. 155 ft-lbs of torque could easily overcome what the tires were capable of though.

 

[$ub$onic]

If i were you i would get rid of the stock tires. Last year right after I got my sonic we got a couple of inches of snow and it was still snowing when i left for work at 3pm. I was sliding and spinning up and down hills on Rt 28 with no more than an inch of snow on them. My dad even had trouble handeling my car with them the next morning when we went to go get me winter treads. Since i got my winter treads i havent had really any trouble in the snow other than when im screwing around on hill trying to get stuck.

Where are u located at? And I got general altimax studded that r going on on the 28th

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[AxelRipper]

Last winter I had no trouble with the snow. This winter I've been cautious so far as I'm still on the stock tires (now with 20k miles) but doesn't seem to be taking it too badly. Have to add a bit of extra distance to the braking zones due to the ABS liking to come on, but still not the worst car I've driven in the snow.

(for the record: The worst car I've ever driven in the snow is a real close heat between an 06 Taurus on nearly bald all seasons (didn't like to do much of anything) and a C6 Z06 on high performance 335/35-19 summer tires (didn't like to get going up hills without a push))

 

[small town sonic]

Im in New Bethlehem which is close to Clarion and about 50 miles south west of dubois. I have non-studded Cooper Weather-masters on my car

 

[$ub$onic]

That's awasome I'm off exit 42 on i80 in eau Claire

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[small town sonic]

thats cool. thats no too far away

 

[$ub$onic]

About 40 mins give or take . We need to get together sometime

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