Just don't switch off traction control

 

Here is my experience driving mustangs in the winter. Do NOT put extra weight in the backend as some suggest. It has been proven that if you do this (hoping to put extra weight on the driving wheels) can be very dangerous if you loose control of your vehicle. If you start the spin out the extra weight will actually cause your car to spin (360) up to 140% more than if you did not have the weight. This is a know fact for trucks as well.

I replace the "all-season" crappy wheels with snow tires which use to be goodyear's.

 

Before the Mustang I had an 88 Lincoln LSC. Nice car when the air suspension held up...

Anyway, if you drive a front-wheel drive vehicle now (assuming you do) you'll have to be less aggressive with the gas and brake. Easy does it. I've found that weight didn't matter with the Lincoln (it was a heavy s.o.b. to begin with) but the 'Stang needs weight or else your wheels will do nothing but spin on the bad days when there is wet slop or ice - especially at stop lights. I wrapped 40lb bags of lime in garbage bags and placed one over each wheel in the trunk. You'll notice an immediate difference. Understand that there will be days when the roads are a mess and you'll be one of the slowest moving cars on the highway. Other than that, they aren't death traps or anything and they aren't that bad on most days.

Snow tires will buy you a little more speed on the highway but if you can afford new snow tires and/or wheels then you might as well get a winter beater and put the new stang in storage with comprehensive-only insurance. If it means anything, I drive a 94 Olds Cutlass in the winter. Hope this helps.

I also agree with spooty: go to a lot or empty back roads and goose the gas and brake to get a handle on what the car will do.

 

Oh, and adrenaline is right. Too much weight and you'll not only stress the suspension, but give it a little too much booty to swing. A little helps though.

 

True, the added weight could result in increased spinning but this has a lot to do with people placing it in the wrong spot in the trunk. Weight should be put at the back of the trunk over the rear axle.

The added traction you get from added weight outweight any negative effects it may have on an already spinning vehicle. Winter tires and some bags of salt/sand in the trunk will go a long way to preventing that spinout in the firstplace.

 

haha do like i do use it as an excuse to have an extra day off from work!
um boss my um mustang is um stuck in the driveway um i cant get to work today

 

Dammit,why didn't I think of that...no not me.I have to get a friggin Wrangler that goes thru just about anything/everything I want it to. Worst part is I get sent out to pick up stranded employees. It is fun though :yes:

 

I have a 90 Probe for the snow no chains or sand on my new stang

 

Dammit,why didn't I think of that...no not me.I have to get a friggin Wrangler that goes thru just about anything/everything I want it to. Worst part is I get sent out to pick up stranded employees. It is fun though :yes: [/b][/quote]
Hot chick gets stuck , its payday, am I rite?

 

I have been driving in the snow for 6-7 years now, so driving in snow is not a big deal for me. I was just concerned becuase people around here tell me that rear wheel cars are not great in the winter.

jeffro

 

Hot chick gets stuck , its payday, am I rite?[/b][/quote]
EXACTLY!!!! It's like the old saying goes (somewhat modified) Gas,grass or hiney...no one gets pulled out of a ditch for free...well since I don't do drugs...LOL!!!

 

Personally, whenever I buy a car and we get out first snow fall, the first thing I do it go to an empty parking lot and practice bracking and controlled sliding. That way I get a better understanding on how the car handles in those conditions. It definately pays off.

Right now I also have a 4x4 which I am selling so hopefully my boss goes for the "my car is stuck" excuse.

 

just thought i would revive this old topic with this link...

Snowy Burnouts

No new info, just something I hadn't seen.

 

I'm from Albany NY and the winters are really bad. I have a 95 cobra that just spins its tires in 2 inches of snow on level ground.I couldn't even get out of my work parking lot one night. Mustangs shoot in the rain and the snow.Rear end tooooooooooo light.Besides ,driving throughout the winter beats on your car. This winter I will have a beater and only take the :nono: :nono: 2005muzzy out when there is absolutely no snow or SALT S A L T K I L L S

 

The 05 will have a better weight ratio front/back, so forget about the extra weight in the trunk, that plus traction control and good winter tires and you should be fine...

 

just move out of the snow and cold.

 

Do not drive a new Mustang in the winter!!
Buy a winter beater or a 4x4 and store the Stang!!
Paying $500 - $1000 for a winter beater beats the heck out of wrecking your Stang or running it through snow & salt.

 

I drove my old 91 GT to work on a solid sheet of ice before(15 miles). Got a little sideways sometimes but nothing major, so I think you should have no problems.

 

I bought the car to drive it.... all seasons

 

On the fence with respect to a winter beater.

If my commute does not change, why not... I will make sure to hit the coin-op wash and wash the underside of the car every few days.

but then again if I buy a winter beater, I save money on insurance by parking the stang. I can sell the beater in the spring and break even at the very least