Snow driving review

[Eric Smit]

Upgrade your tires. The tires that come with the Sonic are notoriously poor for winter use. Check tirerack.com for reviews on the current set, as well as plenty of recommendations/reviews for upgrades. Many of the better tires can be found locally (even Walmart) so you don't have to order from tirerack. I upgraded to the General tires at 5,000 miles, resold my old set for $160. Very glad I did!

the stock tires are hilarious poor in any conditions. ;P


-Eric Smit

 

[pacman552]

living in the upper peninsula of michigan i can say that these are the worst all-seasons i have ever used in deep snow and ice. i used to go two tracking in my old fwd saturn with firestone winterforces on , with these tires i am lucky i havent gotten stuck yet!

 

[RoXXXanne13]

the stock tires are hilarious poor in any conditions. ;P


-Eric Smit

here here

 

[AdorableKaren]

the stock tires are hilarious poor in any conditions. ;P


-Eric Smit

Lol I'm beginning to think my driving is hilarious poor in any condition

 

[Swordsmith]

Like the new pic though. Use that contrite look on whoever you slide into, maybe they won't insist you call it in to your insurance agent.

Seriously, snowy parking lot with nothing in it to slide into, go experiment around a bit. The Sonic behaves reasonably well in snow, better than most of the cars around me. Tires, though, yeah, I do have aftermarket tires that may be part of it. Experience helps too though. Don't see me trying to bed virgins, don't see me letting someone drive my car in the snow if they haven't done that before.

 

[lambertsonic]

The sonic drives well in snow and like others have mentioned turning off the tc and stabilitrak really help .

 

[AdorableKaren]

Like the new pic though. Use that contrite look on whoever you slide into, maybe they won't insist you call it in to your insurance agent.

Seriously, snowy parking lot with nothing in it to slide into, go experiment around a bit. The Sonic behaves reasonably well in snow, better than most of the cars around me. Tires, though, yeah, I do have aftermarket tires that may be part of it. Experience helps too though. Don't see me trying to bed virgins, don't see me letting someone drive my car in the snow if they haven't done that before.

Lol thanks. I was in the mood for a new pic and asked the new moderator if it was g rated enough to use. Next big snow I guess I'm going for a drive. If I get snow tires do I have to remove them for summer? Will it hurt the car if I leave them on? Lol I want to comment on your virgins remark that's hilarious.

 

[lambertsonic]

Lol thanks. I was in the mood for a new pic and asked the new moderator if it was g rated enough to use. Next big snow I guess I'm going for a drive. If I get snow tires do I have to remove them for summer? Will it hurt the car if I leave them on? Lol I want to comment on your virgins remark that's hilarious.

You will use up you winter tires very quickly if you leave them on all year . You best bet is to buy cheap steel wheels and good winter tires and to take them off in the spring and then install your summer wheels and tires back on .

 

[sx sonic]

+1, get cheap steel rims and good winter tires.

 

[$ub$onic]

Or good excuse for winter tires on OEM wheels and aftermarket rims

 

[gillamonstar]

I'll post my review when and if I get home.

 

[$ub$onic]

That's not bad at all

 

[gillamonstar]

Not bad at all. Only 2-3". Roads were tough all day though because the temps never made it out of the teens.

This was the first snow I've had the Sonic in. No different than any of the other small cars I've driven ( Sunfire and Cavelier )

 

[gillamonstar]

This was Feb'10.
28"
Not sure a Sonic would have faired well.

 

[$ub$onic]

Opens door

 

[AdorableKaren]

This was Feb'10.
28"
Not sure a Sonic would have faired well.

Wow!! I would have trouble walking through that let alone driving lol

 

[mitdr774]

living in the upper peninsula of michigan i can say that these are the worst all-seasons i have ever used in deep snow and ice. i used to go two tracking in my old fwd saturn with firestone winterforces on , with these tires i am lucky i havent gotten stuck yet!

Lower mitten, and Firestone Winterforce here. I put my Calais wheels (5x100, 14" aluminium) and Winterforce tires on my parents Sunfire for this winter. I have a set on steel wheels on my Sonic.

 

[Dragcamaro]

we got about 5 here, the car hasnt let me down yet, but ive already learned to not trust the abs. I turn off TC and leave the rest on. Pulse your own brakes.

These stock tires suck at everything

 

[Ubryaj]

There are large hills no matter which way I go to work, with TC off I can usually make it ALMOST to the top if it's unplowed, but then the tires just spin and my only choice is to back up and usually try a different route. I've gone from only AWD cars in winter and never had trouble getting up hills to the Sonic with the terrible stock tires, it sucks. I'll definitely be getting snows for next winter.

 

[KGB Pilot125]

There are large hills no matter which way I go to work, with TC off I can usually make it ALMOST to the top if it's unplowed, but then the tires just spin and my only choice is to back up and usually try a different route. I've gone from only AWD cars in winter and never had trouble getting up hills to the Sonic with the terrible stock tires, it sucks. I'll definitely be getting snows for next winter.

The stock tires are not intended for snow, that would be like a bunch of us trying to play basketball in bowling shoes. Sure we might score a few points but it isnt gonna be pretty.

I am waiting on my complimentary tires from Hankook to show up and I already got my complimentary tires from General, Not what I wanted but they want them tested on the sonic in my market so I guess I will do it.