What cars do y'all northerners drive in snowy environments?

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What car do you drive in the North East / Midwest (where it snows)

  • Front Wheel Drive

    Votes: 46 45.5%

  • Rear Wheel Drive

    Votes: 7 6.9%

  • Four Wheel Drive

    Votes: 44 43.6%

  • No Car

    Votes: 4 4.0%
  • Total voters
    101
HamidNia101

HamidNia101

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I recently had a visit to NY, and saw lots of real snow for the first time in my life (born and raised in SoCal). I was pretty surprised that most of the cars I saw were front wheel drive, and to a lesser extent, rear wheel drive. With all that ice and sludge all over the streets, I am surprised I only saw a few four wheel drive cars.

What do you drive in the North East / Midwest? How do you manage without a four wheel drive car, are chains enough?
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I've lived in Wisconsin my whole life, and I've never had a four wheel drive vehicle. Mostly front wheel, and for a year or two, a rear-wheel drive small truck. I'm not sure that chains are even legal in this state. I've certainly never seen someone use them.

Basically, you just accelerate more slowly, leave more space for breaking, and try not to get on the gas or the brakes much when cornering. I've never been in an accident, haven't had to be towed out of anything, but did once need a police car to bump me to help get me moving up a hill once. You can always get snow tires, which I've heard really improve handling during the winter, but I've never felt the need.
 
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Most places chains are overkill IMO, those are really for super-snowy places with crappy snow clean up (I don't think I've ever seen anyone driving with chains in a city). Driving slow, breaking early and leaving lots of space between cars does the trick.
 
Druggernaut said:
I've lived in Wisconsin my whole life, and I've never had a four wheel drive vehicle. Mostly front wheel, and for a year or two, a rear-wheel drive small truck. I'm not sure that chains are even legal in this state. I've certainly never seen someone use them.

Basically, you just accelerate more slowly, leave more space for breaking, and try not to get on the gas or the brakes much when cornering. I've never been in an accident, haven't had to be towed out of anything, but did once need a police car to bump me to help get me moving up a hill once. You can always get snow tires, which I've heard really improve handling during the winter, but I've never felt the need.
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I moved out to WI and by far the biggest things that helped me navigate in the wintertime were practicing in empty parking lots and ice racing on frozen lakes.

n8646267_35500484_3743.jpg


Ok, the AWD and snow tires sort of help too. 😛
 
DrYoda said:
Most places chains are overkill IMO, those are really for super-snowy places with crappy snow clean up (I don't think I've ever seen anyone driving with chains in a city). Driving slow, breaking early and leaving lots of space between cars does the trick.
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agreed.

if you know how to drive in the first place you don't need a special car to help you along. and if you don't know, then a different car probably isn't going to help.
 
n3xa said:
I moved out to WI and by far the biggest things that helped me navigate in the wintertime were practicing in empty parking lots and ice racing on frozen lakes.

n8646267_35500484_3743.jpg


Ok, the AWD and snow tires sort of help too. 😛
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is that an STI?
it seems like it would be really fun
 
We drive the same cars you do for the most part (though higher percentage of 4WD, which are nice but far from necessary).

We just don't freak out.
 
I have front-wheel drive and mount snows in the winter, but the most important thing is your brain.

p.s. "braking," not "breaking"
 
Rear-wheel drive mustang. Only a single tire in the back propels the car.
Sucks on snowy hills - so I use studded tires.
 
Frazier said:
Rear-wheel drive mustang. Only a single tire in the back propels the car.
Sucks on snowy hills - so I use studded tires.
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😕😕😕😕
i thought they stopped doing that since the 1910's
 
Where I grew up, Subarus were very popular but places with lots of snow are good at clearing it, too, so you'd be surprised what you can still drive 🙂
 
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You drive the same car you drive in every other season, unless its some kind of high performance car. It's not really that big of a deal, and personally I don't know anybody who has ever put chains on their tires. All wheel drive is not a necessity either.
 
DrYoda said:
Driving slow, breaking early and leaving lots of space between cars does the trick.
Click to expand...

LOL, you are talking to a SoCal driver, those habits would get you killed in SoCal.
 
I've lived in northeast ohio and northwest indiana for a while and my car is a 2001 manual 2WD/4WD Suzuki XL-7 (minus power steering cause the power steering pump took a crap on me). I'm all about using the 4WD when the roads aren't cleared out too much or on the highway during a snowstorm...you can cruise right on past people who don't have that fun feature. I think the biggest difference for 4WD vs. 2WD is that 4WD cars have no problem at all cruising through unplowed areas. Once I even climbed out of a parking spot the stupid snow plow guys plowed me into. You can basically get out of any low traction situation you can think of with 4WD.

I agree 4WD isn't totally necessary for most snowy areas or most times of the year. A nice heavy front wheel drive car can handle most stuff (my old dodge stratus had no problem in the snow). However, I would not agree that a rear wheel drive car is just as good as a front wheel drive in the snow. Rear wheel drive cars can get screwed if the streets aren't cleared. A heavy rear wheel like a big SUV or a light truck with some sandbags in the back is fine. Driving a sports car (mustang) or luxury car (BMW) in the snow is not awesome though. Fishtailing is a big problem, even at low speeds, because those cars are so light and have almost no weight over the tires in the back. For instance, the person who had the little rear wheel drive truck probably threw some sandbags/concrete in the back to give some traction in the winter. Of course you could do the same thing with a sports car but not many people want to throw sandbags in the back of their Mustang.
Even very light front wheel drive cars can have problems. My mom's 2007 Camry got totally stuck in the snow once cause my dad thought it would be a good idea to drive it in a totally unplowed street haha.
 
This year was a crazy year. Most years there are ~5-10 days max where there is a lot of snow on the ground. Basically drive slower than usual, park with a lot of room in front and in back, park as close to the curb as possible (so cars don't hit you as they pass through) and only use front or all wheel drive. No vehicles other than snow plows use tire chains. Also try to use main roads as much as possible, and give yourself extra time. You can skid at all speeds so drive slowly if you see any ice or slush on the ground.
 
I'm a Buffalo resident, and I drive an AWD Subaru Impreza with a manual transmission.

It always gets me where I need to go. I can pretty much just plow right through anything. The only problem is other drivers.🙂
 
People with rear wheel drive get screwed when the roads get slick. Great for spinning donuts in the church parking lot, not so great for going up hills, making turns, accelerating out of an icy patch...etc.

I drive an AWD Toyota Matrix. Great compact-ish car (it has the frame of a Corolla but a hatchback instead of a traditional trunk). You definitely don't NEED all wheel drive, but it comes in handy when you end up in a stupid situation, i.e. on top of a pile of snow.
 
Frazier said:
Rear-wheel drive mustang. Only a single tire in the back propels the car.
Sucks on snowy hills - so I use studded tires.
Click to expand...

MI resident here. The snow is coming down right now. Snowmaggedon II.

I like studded things. :laugh:

I was driving a 20-year-old Buick for the last couple of weeks before I got my hubby fixed my Taurus.
 
It's not the car that matters, it's the tires.

If you move to an area that gets a bunch of snow (upstate NY, mountain west, etc) get snow/winter tires, or at the very least all seasons. Just don't try to drive all year round on summer/performance tires. Even in Alaska they drive FWD in the city/towns, just with spiked snow tires.


I used to live in Utah, just moved to Ohio. Winter driving in Ohio is way worse than in Utah.
1) People can't drive. They see a little flurry and they freak out.
2) Wrong tires. I've seen a bunch of people trying to drive in the snow on summer tires. Once it gets below 40 or so those don't have any grip.
3) They don't plow the streets. They don't start plowing until there's X amount of accumulation, and even then they don't do a very good job.


I drive 2 Subarus and have snow tires (had spiked tires but sold them since I didn't think I'd use them anymore). I've had to put on chains a couple of times, but you probably shouldn't be out where I was😉
 
kami333 said:
It's not the car that matters, it's the tires.

If you move to an area that gets a bunch of snow (upstate NY, mountain west, etc) get snow/winter tires, or at the very least all seasons. Just don't try to drive all year round on summer/performance tires. Granted I have 2 Subarus and snow tires (had spiked tires but sold them since I didn't think I'd use them anymore).


I used to live in Utah, just moved to Ohio. Winter driving in Ohio is way worse than in Utah.

1) People can't drive. They see a little flurry and they freak out.
2) Wrong tires. I've seen a bunch of people trying to drive in the snow on summer tires. Once it gets below 40 or so those don't have any grip.
3) They don't plow the streets. They don't start plowing until there's X amount of accumilation, and even then they don't do a very good job.
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Welcome to the constant state of road construction that is Ohio. 🙂
 
Careful driving with my front-wheel drive Civic is plenty fine. Granted, Kansas City never has conditions that would warrant chains or studded tires or anything like that. Drivers in Little Rock scare the **** out of me, though. They don't seem to understand that you have to drive differently when there isn't much traction on the road. They also totally flip out when there's any snow around at all and think they're going to die on the way home due to the cold, wet roads. Like everyone else is saying, just drive slowly, and make sure you hit the gas and brakes gently. That's really all it takes.
 
StudyShy said:
Welcome to the constant state of road construction that is Ohio. 🙂
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Thanks😛

The road construction isn't too bad, we live near work so we only have to drive 4miles round trip. If we had stayed in Utah they would have started major construction right where we lived which would have necessitated a 15block detour.

Worst part is they just finished major construction at my old workplace in Utah, then I get to Ohio and I find that my new work place is going to be under construction for the next 3years. Can't ever win.

I keep reminding my gf that it was her idea to move here.
I get to choose the city for medical school, I'm thinking Nebraska or South Dakota to spite her.
 
I agree with others. Snow driving is improved by a combination of these factors:

1) Front or all wheel drive (front works great for 99% of road conditions).

2) Good tires. These don't have to be studded tires, but they should be rated well for all weather conditions and not balding.

3) Driver skill. Many drivers don't know the first thing about driving in the snow. Quite a few start off in first gear and spin out as they are trying to accelerate, but a simple change to start the car from second gear can take the car spinning out and sliding off of a slanted road to an easy smooth acceleration. The key is to remember the roads don't have as much traction (friction between the tires and road) and adjust the power, speed, and braking you apply to them accordingly.
 
Got a used Honda CRV before moving to the Northeast. The all wheel drive and all-season tires made snow no problem, even on my small side street that was never the first to be plowed. But lots and lots of people have 2wd cars and seem to survive just fine.
 
Frazier said:
Yea, I keep my tires studded....with diamonds.
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I've heard good things about these but they don't make em in my size:
http://www.greendiamondtire.com/concept.html

HamidNia101 said:
is that an STI?
it seems like it would be really fun
Click to expand...

Yeah, a 2006. 😍

That said, having experience just driving in snow/ice and having a wide open space to do so is the most important thing. It's amazing to see youngins showing up to the track with every mod done to their car and when the first turn comes around they freak out and spin out. :meanie:
 
Living in Chicago my entire life, all that matters car-wise is that you have front WD or AWD/4WD. RWD is the only type that you really can get screwed with-- even if you're a solid driver. Above that, it's all about being a cautious driver when conditions are bad.
 
I drove a RWD truck for 9 years with no problems. It can be tough to climb hills, but I felt like I was in complete control of the truck. Then again, I'm a good driver, and I went to empty parking lots often and did donuts. It may look like fun and games, but I was really learning how to handle the truck in those conditions. Honestly, that's the only reason I did it! 😀
 
n3xa said:
Yeah, a 2006. 😍

That said, having experience just driving in snow/ice and having a wide open space to do so is the most important thing. It's amazing to see youngins showing up to the track with every mod done to their car and when the first turn comes around they freak out and spin out. :meanie:
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I want one! The car in my avatar is also an '06 STI.

I've test driven multiple model years of the regular WRX, and it was really fun.

Ultimately, I couldn't afford the payments, so I'm still stuck with my naturally aspirated base model Impreza, which is a very good car.
 
The vast majority of cars use a Front-Engine, Front-Drive configuration. This leaves ~60+05% of the weight on top of the front tires, which are driven. Thus, the static friction is higher due to the greater load on the front tires. AWD cars are like FWD, but with all four wheels driven and thus ~1.8x the amount of accelerative traction. Front-Engine,Rear-Drive cars have ~50+10-5% of the weight on the front, so there is still significantly less friction on the rear tires compared to that of FWD cars. AWD cars are more expensive and often larger, so they can be rare in urban cities.

FWD is fine in snow, but AWD is really nice.

RWD is fun, but if you're not a legit driver, you will have problems. Even having driven in snow for years, there are some situations that really suck, i.e. starting out going up an icy hill. Other drivers often don't understand the plight faced by RWD no-traction-control drivers and will get angry when we don't start off very quickly on ice.
 
I drive a 2004 GMC envoy, 4.2 L V6 inline vortex engine,

AWD + new tires= Tokyo drift (well midwest style drifting)
 
2011 Ford Focus SEL with snow tires
 
I drive an '03 Audi A4. Quattro all wheel drive is awesome.

That said, I drove a front wheel drive car with no snow tires for 2 years just fine. My mom has been doing the same for 10+ years.
 
Been living in the northeast for 10 years now, ever since I moved to america.

I drive an SUV, I'm used to the snow. The only thing that bothers me is the constant shoveling, fight for parking spots. Driving in the snow isn't too bad cause I have traction control.

I crave warm, sunny weather though 🙂
 
I don't live in the North, but I live in the mountains (or on top of them :laugh:)...

2009 Toyota Tacoma TRD 4X4 with with some big, fat tires. I can switch from regular to 4High and 4low without even getting out of the truck. And I carry two 80 pound sandbags in the bed during the winter (so like 9 months of year around here). I have yet to use the uphill assistance control or downhill assistance control. My traction control kicks on every once, but nothing will drive good on black ice. that **** you just gotta go slooooooooooooow on.


Four wheel drive is great, but if you cant go with that. go with front wheel. And make sure your tires have good tread. I put 50k on my truck before switching to new tires and I was sliding around on dry pavement.
 
Barcu said:
We just don't freak out.
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Colorado drives are some of the WORST drivers out there (in all types of weather). Right along with Nebraska. 👎


Also OP, My state was voted to have the nations most dangerous roads. Its really about how you drive, not what you drive. The idiots in wrecks along the interstate are usually from out of state. And the idiots in wrecks in town are the rubberneckers.


Hello. My name is Hoody, and I have road rage. 😡
 
FlowRate said:
PS, I drive a 1993 RWD Lexus GS300 (no traction control) with all-weather tires, year-round. No accidents, haven't been stuck. Only came close a couple times.
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yes, but you refuse to accelerate quickly at green lights. As the car behind you... not cool.
 
Hoody said:
Colorado drives are some of the WORST drivers out there (in all types of weather). Right along with Nebraska. 👎


Also OP, My state was voted to have the nations most dangerous roads. Its really about how you drive, not what you drive. The idiots in wrecks along the interstate are usually from out of state. And the idiots in wrecks in town are the rubberneckers.


Hello. My name is Hoody, and I have road rage. 😡
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It's probably the only thing I dislike about CO more than here lol. Those people are crazy.
 
Chicago drivers...or those driving through Chigago are crazy. I have never been more scared for my life than when I drove 90 mph bumper-to-bumper through that city.
 
StudyShy said:
Chicago drivers...or those driving through Chigago are crazy. I have never been more scared for my life than when I drove 90 mph bumper-to-bumper through that city.
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Sounds like Montreal! I was there when it was snowing and icy and the drivers there are crazy. I saw a BMW zooming down a main thoroughfare when it was slushy on the road and he was weaving in and out of traffic--accident waiting to happen.

They also drive reallly close to each other and "spin out" constantly. All I can say to the OP is..people don't "have different types of cars" in different parts of the country--just different "equipment" like snow tires and chains (if you're in an area that requires that, like the mountainous regions).
 
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