I was driving over the weekend and it started to snow. I was doing about 50 and the back end twitched. Half an hour later there was an inch on the ground. The next thing I know the back end snapped out and I am going almost sideways with 18 wheelers on my left side.

I was facing an embankment with 2 suv's already crashed out. I corrected the steering and took my foot off the gas, and then the mustang flicked to the opposite direction and then managed to save her. I drove home at around 30mph.

Then a winter storm comes in and I had to drive my wifes chevrolet cruze eco back across 500 miles of snow. I did excellent with good year fuel max all season tires.

I really like my mustang and do not want to get rid of her but I have some thoughts on what I should do as I hate being stranded in the snow.

I was thinking of using up the summer nitto tires on my supersnakes and replace them with bf goodrich comp 2 all seasons and for winter fit proper snow tires to the track pack wheels.

I don't live in a region where it snows all the time just in the winter.

My other thought is to trade the mustang in for a 2013 taurus sho or a 2011 sti.

Opinions welcome...

 

Buy some winter tires and switch them out after. I use blizzak ws80s on my focus st, works like a dream :-)

 

I drove mine through snow easily here in CO with a good set of winter/snow tires (Continental TS810). All seasons are neither good in the summer nor in the winter. They suck at both. So get some great snow tires and you should be good.

LEXiiON

 

Yep, like they said . . . snow tires.

You're probably running on all seasons, or worse yet, summer-only tires. Very bad.

I ran my 2010 manual GT through 2 or 3 Massachusetts winters with no problems, with decent snow tires. It's actually a fun car in the snow, once you get the hang of it, but only if you have a decent set of snow tires.

 

Another vote for snow tires. You might get away with all seasons on an all wheel drive car if you anticipate your over and understeer conditions. I have all terains on my winter beater which is a 4X4, but with just a few " of snow I leave it in RWD and drift every corner I encounter. There is something serene about a well controlled 25mph drift with good side slip angle

But on a RWD car you need proper winter tires. they make a WORLD of difference.

Lexiion is spot on. All Season tires = all season compromise. Plus you don't need snow for winter tires to shine. Just temps under 45 degrees.

 

Yup, otherwise your Pony starts measuring 0-60 time in minutes

 

You live in Colorado and don't know to put some weight in the trunk for improved rear wheel traction?

 

Thanks for the input.

I no longer live in Colorado, that info needs to be updated.

 

I put a set of General Arctic snow tires on my winter beater and I can easily out drive all the 4x4 with all season tires with a old crappy FWD car.

LEXiiON

 

Winter tires and good 150-200 pounds in the trunk will do it. Don't bother with winter tires without extra weight, you'll just burn through tires real quick.

 

Just move down south where snow is rare. It is comical though when we have that rare bit of snow. Half an inch can close schools for days and deplete the grocery stores of milk and bread.

 

The most snow I ever saw was 18" in March of 1973...I was almost 8 years old and loved playing in it. Of course I didn't have to worry about driving in it back then. Wow, that makes me feel old.

 

Snow tires FTW. I also added about 60Kilos worth of salt bags in the truck to add weight to the rear and this really is the best driving car I've owned. 2nd winter this time around and have not been stuck once, yet...

I've owned plenty of front wheel drive cars prior to this mustang and have gotten stuck at least once with them.

 

^^^^^

That picture alone makes me express my utmost condolences for those living up north or the mid-west. I couldn't stand the mud/salt/ice on my car. Respect.

 

It's just a car... when it rots out and or has lots of mileage, time to trade up I goes through the wash once a week through a program we have here at work and is parked in the garage overnight. its not that bad.

 

Nobody should be driving 50 mph in the snow in a vehicle without all-wheel drive. This car is not that bad if you have all seasons and weight in the trunk. I drive mine in everything, all year long and it handles better in the snow than my last car which was a front wheel drive Mazda 3.

 

Why does all whee drive matter?

I can stop my Mustang a LOT quicker on any surface than any SUV or even AWD car with all seasons. Even on slick ice I can stop pretty quick while vehicles with all seasons slide right on by.

 

THANKS!

I typically take countryside roads where there's lots of snow blowing around. The posted speed sign is 80KM/H which is probably around 50mph I would guess. Normally, the general rule of thumb is you do 10 over the posted speed limit otherwise, you get some pissed of drivers following you and worse, going around you in this weather.

I guess, confidence in this weather is key.

 

Easiest question ever.

Answer? Spend 1k to 2k (or more) to buy a BEATER. Keep the Mustang, and keep it stored during snow.

Simple.

Heck, I have TWO beaters.

 

This is state dependent. In Michigan registration costs are high (for most cars I'd be spending $80+/ year just for registration), and insurance is the big killer. I'd be spending a minimum of $75/month for the bare minimum liability that the state requires. Probably closer to $100.

Thats a deal breaker when it's supposed to be super cheap. It's hard to only have both vehicles insured partially throughout the year, especially since the Mustang would likely need full coverage even while stored (loan requirement).