So for those of us with a 2010 (GT or V6) that's going to be driven in the winter time (hence it's going to see some snow...), I'm looking into what setups everyone is thinking about going with.

The first thing (for me) is getting out of my 19'' all seasons, for 17'' and winters. But will those fit on the 2010 GT? I'm pretty sure they do... the brakes, calipers, rotors etc... should fit, right?

Tires: Michelin X-ice xi2 I've read good stuff on it. Anyone had experience?
Rims: Something cheap, obviously. I was thinking these or something of the like. Cuz it's senseless to spend $150+ on a winter rim.

What do you guys think???
Also, about 200lbs of salt/sand bags in the trunk.
Any other recommendations? or experiences?

Feel free to share! Winter is coming!

 

Where are you? What kind of winter do you typically have and do they clear the roads well?

Here in the pacific northwest, we usually see some snow, but the last couple years have been pretty severe for our standards. The highways are cleared well because they are federal roads, but most other areas are pretty sorry. Since the roads don't get cleared and the temperature goes above and below freezing daily, the roads with snow get packed into ice and then sanded. And of course anyone who is uncomfortable driving in those conditions just parks and leaves their car where they stop... could be the middle of the street. Or they put on chains and go 10mph everywhere (usually in front of me). I'm from the snow belt in NE Ohio, so this behavior tries my patience to say the least.

Anyway, I live on a pretty steep hill (that doesn't get cleared of course), so I'll need studded snows to climb up it. I'm mounting these on the a set of oem 17" bullitts that I found on craig's list. The two tires that I've found that can be studded are the firestone winterforce and the general altimax.

Good luck. Oh, and don't forget the tpms sensors if you have them. I do (pia).

 

my winter solution:

 

I don't do anything special other than making sure I have everything well waxed and winter floor mats in place .I have driven every Mustang I 've owned as year round daily drivers . If you have a winter car great,put yours away if you wish . I have not had the luxury of a winter car .I don't feel it is necessary where I live and I think it is a myth that Mustangs are just summer cars.

 

I would never buy a mustang if I HAD to drive it for the winter. This is my summer fun car, and while I won't have it long enough to worry about salt or rock chips or any of that nonsense, I just can't see driving it when I have a better(4WD) option.
That being said, my 06 has been out in the snow on a couple of occasions. Surprisingly, it did just fine. And it was on normal tires(Pzero's) with nothing for weight in the back. Traction control was working over time and it took me back to my high school days with it turned off(FUN), but in a pinch, I wouldn't worry too much about it.

If you need to drive in the snow, I would put good snow tires on and be done with it. I would think the 10's will be even easier with stability control.

 

I live in California.....enough said.

 

Watch out for those fires, mud slides, earthquakes, sinkholes, etc.

 

After reading up a little more, I think I'll go sans studs at first. If that doesn't work, then I'll get studs. The conundrum is that most of the time there isn't any snow or ice on the road here, so you're suffering with the nvh added by the studs rolling on pavement.

 

I Actually live in the midwest and see a fair amount of snow each year (2 years ago we had 95 inches, last year 70-ish...) so it's worth to me investing in a good set of tires.

I'm also thinking about Zylon (spelling?) coating to ward off salt and such...
and as far as the TPMS sensors... ehhh, I'll live with them on I think? IDK... we'll see. I'm seeing the kit for sale at like $300+...

and yea I read a lot about the studed tires... those seem to be best for icey and highly snow packed roads. I'd think a safe first bet would be the studless as well. Have you considered which studless tire yet?

 

I am actually buying a fairly cheap Jeep for the winter. This is my first Mustang - 10 Pony Package in Sterling & glass roof - and the thought of the Northeast winter (snow/slush/ice & salt) eating at her is the main motivator.

Also, I have to park in a train station every day. Those plow operators who prowl it during snowy days have a deep passion for piling snow up against cars that they think will have a hard time with it.

I really like this car and would like to keep it in good condition for as long as possible.

 

I like the dunlop wintersport or bridgstone lm-60. I had sotozeros on my 05, but I don't think they are aggressive enough in relation to traction. They were a great tire though. Maybe without lots of steep hills and uncleared roads they would be the best choice. They didn't drive much different than the stock pirellis.

 

My plan is to stay stock with the wheels and tires and have the car detailed in the spring when the weather clears. My car is parked outside all the time so i dont really have a choice to protect it. The streets around me are plowed fairly quickly so it should not really be an issue. Grandma style driving + electronic aids should help if i get caught in harsh conditions.

 

Yeah, there is that...

 

I have the luxury of retirement on my side. If the roads are bad I can stay home.Plus I live in Essex County also known as our "banana belt ". If worse comes to worst there is always the wife's Sportrac.

 

Here's some All-Season floor mats:




The website has it at the best price ($70) is PartsCheap right here.

To compare American Muscle has them original at $99.99 and offer 10% for 89.99...

Or these straight outta Ford Accessories:


for the same price ($70), and also to be the better buy... look more rugged and styled better. But it's the "genuine ford accessory" for the 2010 on Ford's website but, PartsCheap only has it on the 2005-09 model... ?
ehh, Whatever...

Just a few options!

 

I think I'll use my stock mats and then buy some Ford racing or bullitt mats in the spring.

 

In Switzerland, we are used to snowing winters, like the last one (snow non stop from november thru february...)
So buy a good set of winter tires (I've Michelin), drive it 3 or 4 winters and change it, install it on stock rims (on 16" for my 4.0) and put some weight in trunk and ... let's go.
The Stang is not that bad on snow, it's driving like other rear wheel car like (BMW, Mercedes...) when hard iced snow it's "dancing" a bit on throttle so... be carefull

 

I wouldn't add any weight in the trunk. May take away from your turning ability. These cars are pretty close in weight front to back already.
What does the door sticker state as far as weight front and rear?

 

Must have some added weight in rear to offset rear tires pushing heavy engine in front. And especially when starting from a dead stop. At least if you live where you get real snow. To turn, just blip the throttle.

 

My suggested winter set-up: Limited-Slip Diff. (if not already equipped), the skinniest cheap snow tires with the nastiest, most aggressive thread you can find, and 3 concrete blocks you can throw in the trunk on snow days. I'm in NH, and this worked like a charm, even during the worst of snow storms, when I had my '94 GT convertible. I'll be doing the same when I get the 2011.