snow driving (Page 1/3)
yellow peril JAN 30, 02:36 PM
got caught in a nasty weather situation last night. it was raining where i work, snow was predicted later, I left work in the rain, 5 miles down the road it started to snow. for the next 25 miles it snowed hard. I was slush driving and things were ok (luckily no hills) a couple miles from home the car started to fishtail and I would correct and then again and each slide would get bigger and bigger and I lost control and did a 720 (maybe a 700) luckily the car stopped about a foot from the guardrail. it had stalled sometime in the slide too, that may have helped. I was going maybe 40 MPH. i started it and continued on but slower and a few miles down the road it did it again. only a 360 this time (going slower). the point of this is for anyone driving in the slushy snow or any slippery conditions is to beware. it felt to me like the weight of the engine in the back was driving this car around. once it started to fishtail it was just a matter of time till it came around. may be a good warning for southerners too who when you do get snow its usually wet and slippery. be careful out there, don't want anyone to get hurt, or damage their car.
wftb JAN 30, 03:15 PM
Do you have snow tires? Might seem like a dumb question but even in our area people try to get away without them. Slushy conditions are the worst for normal tires.
Patrick JAN 30, 03:50 PM

quote
Originally posted by yellow peril:

slush driving... the car started to fishtail and I would correct and then again and each slide would get bigger and bigger and I lost control and did a 720



Although it seldom snows here (despite being in Canada ), I have driven enough times in snow in the last 47 years to learn to take the rear wheels out of gear when fishtailing starts to occur. The natural tendency when fishtailing starts is to take one's foot off the gas. The problem is, the rear tires then turn far too slowly to regain traction again. It's like having the rear brakes locked up. Simple solution is to step in the clutch, or if you're driving a slushbox, put the tranny in neutral... and keep braking to an absolute minimum. Whenever I've done this, I usually feel the rear end regain traction, and then I carefully continue on my way.
theogre JAN 30, 04:12 PM
Yup, most "all season" tires suck driving on snow or slush. More so when using any kind of "performance" tires. AWD/4WD w/ same tires spin slide etc too and often crash into others because most owners are idiots think the 4WD is automatically better then others and drive way too fast for conditions.
But even snow tires often won't help when you drive on ice regardless on hype from some brands. Studded snows may help better on ice but often not because studs mostly put out in a few weeks driving on dry pavement.

ABS on newer cars can help you stop but often not when you drive too fast or the road is completely frozen over.

you can add weight to many cars but only helps some. Example many Fiero owners put 40-60 # of sand in front. Helps some but "wrong" tires will still suck. Don't use big solid crap that can become a sledge hammer in a wreck and kill people.

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[This message has been edited by theogre (edited 01-30-2019).]

cvxjet JAN 30, 07:08 PM
Personally, I would not drive a Fiero in the snow....Too much chance for something bad happening......either the Fiero or other drivers. Some winter tires would help, but nothing is going to keep you safe if you hit black ice. Plus, a lot of states salt their roads.......That is like dipping your car in acid!
fieroguru JAN 30, 11:33 PM
Back in the late 90s I daily drove a couple of fieros year round. I would thrown two 75 lb bags of sand in the spare tire area as well as in the trunk. Never had any issues or spins.

I would double check your rear alignment as rain and snow can really magnify any issues with the rear toe.
Steel JAN 31, 12:05 AM
As mentioned by FieroGuru proper alignment, snow tires and weight in the front and back. I never had those issues at all and drove through 5 blistering very snowy seasons with mine. I didn't even add weight until the last winter I daily drove my Fiero. I just saw people recommending it so I tried it. It did seem to handle a bit better, which is common sense I guess.
olejoedad JAN 31, 08:59 AM
I daily drove a Fiero for 15 years in the Indiana/Michigan area, 15-20 miles to work on secondary roads.
They actually do well in snow and on ice, if you understand the balance of the car.
Alignment is crucial, never added any weight.
2.5 JAN 31, 10:01 AM

quote
Originally posted by fieroguru:

I would double check your rear alignment as rain and snow can really magnify any issues with the rear toe.



I agree.
Proper alignment and and tires with good tread necessary.
fierosound JAN 31, 10:43 AM
My GT was a year-round daily driver for the first 12 years I owned it.
People often asked me how the car was to drive in winter.

I always said that with the wrong tires, it was the worst car I'd ever driven in snow.
BUT with the proper winter snow tires, it was about one of the best!


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