Old Oct 31, 2023 | 09:38 AM
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nickwe21
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Default Re: Driving In The Winter, What To Keep In Mind?

Originally Posted by Goldwing
Agree with finding an empty lot and practicing start, stop, turning. Definitely learn to countersteer (steer into the slide) when the rear end starts to come around. You do not mention if autostick, but if it is flip the switch next to the stick to "W" (winter) so it starts in second for less wheel spin. Good luck on any MA hills.

I test drove a Crossfire in January 2005 on a packed snow backroad in Grand Haven MI. It actually handled well with all-season as long as I was judicious with the throttle. Never drove the roadster in the snow after it was delivered in April 2005.

My SRT6 was driven by the salesman from Chicago to Holland MI in Jan 2008 and he arrived in a snowstorm. My street had at least 6" of snow with some drifting, so the neighbors helped me push him to my house and up my driveway. The SRT6 has never seen snow again either.
Drove two rear wheel drive cars in Germany in the winter. Never a problem really. You just have to be cognizant of not speeding or accelerating quickly. I would turn off any sprint booster if you have one and I'd also set the switch by the shifter to Winter Mod so it starts in 2nd gear and shifts to higher gears sooner. Less wheel spin. You will be fine just go slow and be careful. I would not want the salt on the streets eat up my car. I'd probably rinse it more often than usual and just spray the under carriage.
I'd also keep more distant to vehicles in front of me because in the winter sometimes vehicles kick up more little rocks in the street. Lastly I don't know if this is a common thing in the US and/or legal but we would use chains in the mountains. You'd throw them on if driving through right mountains terrain.
I know there used to be spikes in Europe back in the day but they had already been banned when I was there. Take everyone's advice and just practice in a parking lot a little bit.
I also recommend (to anyone) a safe driver course...one of those where you really learn to drive your car and where you drive over platform with water that makes your car break our and you need to get it back under control. Was definitely a cool day and improved my driving years ago when I took it and prepared me for what to do if I ever lose control of the vehicle.
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