Winter????

[Smartjames]

Hey guys just been thinking as newly got the car so just want to ask the people who have had the cars through good and bad weathers what are the smart cars like in the winter snow etc and is there any tips to help through it or anything ?


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[Thrumbleux]

Re: Winter????

They are at least as good as FWD as like FWD all the weight (engine and gearbox) is concentrated over the driven wheels.
With a set of winter tyres, only ground clearance (or lack of) will stop you going wherever you want.

[MrPoo]

Re: Winter????

Aside from the lack of grip, the biggest issue I've had is not being able to pull off in 2nd.

If you 360* on black ice, you can do so and barely cross over the white line thanks to the short wheelbase.

Winter tyres make so much difference though, well worth investing.

[Thrumbleux]

Re: Winter????

If you 360* on black ice, you can do so and barely cross over the white line thanks to the short wheelbase.

You've done that?!!!
I managed a full 450 degrees on a single track road and only skiffed the banks. Once is enough though.

[MrPoo]

Re: Winter????

You've done that?!!!
I managed a full 450 degrees on a single track road and only skiffed the banks. Once is enough though.

Yes, not recommending it, but I was very grateful I wasn't in a real car as I would most definitely have hit the car passing me at the time. Lesson learnt, a nice sunny day might have melted the ice off the open road, but going under a stretch of overhanging trees means no sunshine and a nice stretch of black ice :/

[Kapt. Q]

Re: Winter????

I saw a 451 in the fortwo cup at a very wet Brandshatch do spins for about a 100 meters straight, the amazing thing was that if it had been on the motorway no part of it would even have come out of the lane!!!

Cheers!

[Smartjames]

Re: Winter????

Many thanks people this is why I might have to save some cash and get some winter tyres as I'm not fancy doing the who 360 spins ;-D

Cheers


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[MrPoo]

Re: Winter????

Many thanks people this is why I might have to save some cash and get some winter tyres as I'm not fancy doing the who 360 spins ;-D

Cheers

They won't make you invincible, but they do make a very noticeable difference. I was one of the last to leave our office last year, they all panicked about getting home before it snowed any more. I just got the broom out of the car, brushed the snow off the roof and tootled off home. I've got a video of that journey somewhere, I was counting abandoned cars on the way.

They're not that expensive either, can be less than £250 for all four corners. Cheaper than an insurance claim!

[Smartjames]

Re: Winter????

Haha brilliant and 250 that's not too bad either defo cheaper than insurance claim cheers


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[Thrumbleux]

Re: Winter????

Yes, not recommending it, but I was very grateful I wasn't in a real car as I would most definitely have hit the car passing me at the time.

Phew! Close call.

Lesson learnt, a nice sunny day might have melted the ice off the open road, but going under a stretch of overhanging trees means no sunshine and a nice stretch of black ice :/

Under trees, bridges, and the the North facing sides of hills (that don't get the sun) are all the first to get and last to shed ice.

Many thanks people this is why I might have to save some cash and get some winter tyres as I'm not fancy doing the who 360 spins ;-D

Cheers


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Even without winters the above malarkey shouldn't happen in snow. Poo's was on black ice and only steel studs can you save you on it and mine was because my ESP was out of order due to malfunctioning brake switch.
That said, a set of winters gives you the freedom to go where and when you please. Best mounted on a separate set of wheels (steelies will do) as they will last several winters and makes the changing over between summer and winter rubber a jack and wheelbrace job - no tyre fitting refitting balancing palaver.

[problemchild1976]

Re: Winter????

I drove through 3 winters in my old highly modded 450 on standard tyres and had no issues at all.

Depends on how many miles you drive in wintery conditions and how bad your winters are.

The only issue I found was that in snow on a steep hill, the traction control was too invasive and just wouldn't allow me to get going.

Using 2nd gear to set off is only a way of minimising wheel spin through gearing. You can do it almost as well with good throttle control.

How experienced are you at driving in the snow/cold conditions?

JJ

[Smartjames]

Re: Winter????

Well iv only been driving 3years now and from home to work 19miles makes it a tad more worrying is that it's mostly country lanes which means they aren't going to get any gritters ;-0 but I'm not a silly driver pretty careful so hopefully all will be ok.

Just wanted to know if there was any experiences that others have had and if I can avoid them really or things they got/done that made like it made a change.

Cheers for everyone's input


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[Kapt. Q]

Re: Winter????

It could be worth investing in some snow chains if you are out in the sticks and we have a bad winter (no sign of it yet, lol).

Cheers!

[madDan]

Re: Winter????

Actually the most worrying thing about driving in snow and ice is other drivers, you can control your actions, unfortunately the muppet hanging off your tail you can't control and being light cars other drivers don't seem to realise how short a distance you can stop in.

[problemchild1976]

Re: Winter????

^^^^^ agreed!!

Snow chain - not really needed in the uk tbh. If it's that bad, stay home in the warm.

Winter tyres on a set of steel wheels would be your best option but change hen back when the weather picks up.

JJ