Yes, I have read the manual but new 18 in. rear wheels and tires as well as chains doesn't trip my trigger.

I briefly drove the car on ice. Had a slow leak in left rear tire that turned out to be a bead leak, so I was forced into getting this looked after before parking her for the winter. The dealer did a first class job in doing the fix - the second time around anyhow. That is why the brief run on crappy roads. The car performed fine but even in the "W" transmission setting it was hard to keep the wheel spin down. Also saw the ESP indicator light on more than once, but that part is fun. Brakes, heater, heated seat etc. are all great.

The main reason I don't winter drive my toys is the fact that the city uses a lot of corrosive chemicals mixed with sand on the roads and this plays havoc with the finish. Also, our temps can drop as low as -40 C or F. and this is when parts really start to break. Our 01 Jeep GCwill have to take the abuse this year as we normally winter in Lake Havasu City, AZ.

Hope anyone who winter drives their Xfire will let the forum know how they make out.