The roads are starting to get bad and I wanted to pick up some sand bags to throw in the trunk. How much weight is a good amount to pick up?

 

I put 180 lbs (3 bags in mine...handles great...

 

When adding additional weight to the trunk one thing that you have to make sure is that weight does not shift. Incase of an accident, or lets say you swerve to avoid one, if the weight shifts quickly to one side you can lose control of the car. I'd just get a good set of snow tires.

 

Yeah, that should be good enough.
I put another bag or 2 in my little truck.
This year I am using 300lbs in the Ranger.

 

Yes, make sure it won't shift AND use snow tires.

 

Just get snow tires and leave the weight at home.

 

I would but the problem is I just bought the car and sand is like $10 and a new set of tires is hundreds. If I do go that route which tires do you recomend and how much would it cost?

 

I drove two winters on the stock pirelli's no problems. I think putting to much weight in the back will make the front want to plow instead of turn as well as it should. Look at the door sticker and see what the diff is from front to back. Then put enough weight to even it out. These 05+ stangs do pretty well in the snow imo

 

How much snow are we talking about?

 

I guess any snow he's from Cleveland so it's more than a dusting. I used to use a manhole cover

 

In a crash, something like a manhole cover would come through the rear seats, front seats, you, the dashboard, firewall, and lodge in the engine.

Try sand bags since they'll probably break open rather than rip through too much stuff.

I don't run any weight, just winter tires, and I get around great. It even says in my owners manual not to add weight.

 

I should have elaborated a bit. That was used on my mach 1 eons ago like 1981. I was only 21 and thought I was invincable.

Now I are much briter

I haven't had any issues at all driving my 08 in the snow yet. I think it is a manual vs. auto thing. more control with a manual.


I won't try anything over 2 inches on the road. I'll stay home with more.

 

It depends on how much your mother in law weighs.

 

+1

Be very cautious when adding weight, and if you still decide to do so, make sure it doesn't shift side-side. Fishtailing w/ additional weight sliding and jarring you sideways is a receipe to be in the Norhtbound ditch facing southbound.

Weather is supposed to suck in NE OH this weekend.

As far as adding weight, If you decide it's necessary - build a small frame out of 2x4's in your trunk to keep the bags in place. I recommend using bags of water softner salt but be sure to use a tarp or heavy blanket to keep any salt from getting to your floor pan. The rock salt can then be used in a softner if you have one, or to de-ice your driveway, etc. Also, if you do get stuck, it can be used for both traction and melting ice around your tires.

My .02 from experience driving a 2wd pickup through NE OH winters.

Edit: Also - build the frame and keep the weight towards the front of the trunk, as close as you can to keeping above the rear axle. This keeps the weight in the best spot for traction. Don't put it towards the back of the car as this will only make fishtailing worse.

 

Take the spare tire out and put the weight (sand bags, manhole cover, engine block, whatever) in the spare tire well. It'll stay put in there.

Modern studless snow tires like Blizzaks, Michelin X-ice, etc. work great. I'm never going back to studded tires.

I have the Michelins, and the only thing that made driving difficult in the record snow I've had in my area are ground clearance issues when the snow was over 2 feet deep.

 

If thats the case just put her in the trunk

 

EXACTLY!

 

Studded snow tires are needed if you plan to do any rally racing in Finland.

 

I used to put bags of clay cat litter in the wifes 03 Gran Marquis about 80lbs over each wheel.We lived in the Md mountains worked good. Used the cat litter for the cats latter.

 

Makes me glad I don't live in snow.