Let it SNOW!

[BIGJOHNB20]

So, up here in Minnesota (and most of the north central US it seems) we got our first real snow of the season. From yesterday afternoon and still coming down today we'll probably end up with 3-5 inches where I am.

I think for the first time in my life I was actually excited to commute home last night and in this morning in this little "blizzard". A large reason I got the MS6 was because of the AWD. When shopping for a new car, I pretty much only looked at the Suby Legacy GT and the MS6. While certaintly not necessary, I was really fond of the idea of an AWD sports car. Up here, I am pretty much garunteed 5-10 days a year of driving to and from work in the snow. Plus there are a few little ski "hills" around that I like to get to if there is some real snow coming down.

Overall, I was pretty happy with the way she handled. Leaps and bounds above my old ride thats for sure. Had zero problems getting going out of my alley or starting uphill from a stop light. Was even passing some SUVs etc. I just gotta remember not to be TOO confident. The AWD and stability get you going great, but don't really stop you any better.

One thing other thing - A couple times I saw my DSC (I think) light come on. The car with wavy lines under the tires. I assume this is normal and just to indicate that the DSC is active, and not that there is a problem with it?

Anyway, winter is finally here. Let it SNOW

 

[GoFast]

I love it!

 

[Jay Davidson]

One thing other thing - A couple times I saw my DSC (I think) light come on. The car with wavy lines under the tires. I assume this is normal and just to indicate that the DSC is active, and not that there is a problem with it?

Bingo. It'll blip on when the DSC momentarily kicks in. The only time you'd have to worry is if it stays on all the time.

I'm on the Midcoast of Maine and we're getting the brunt of it right now, slated to get up to eight inches before it switches over to sleet and freezing rain.

So, basically, it's nothing more than a pussycat... (cabpatch)

-Jay

 

[BIGJOHNB20]

Yea, yea, I know. 5 inches aint nothing...

I am in the Twin Cities, Minneapolis to be exact. Looks like just south of me and across a lot of WI and even around Chicago are gonna end up with a foot or more.

 

[Evolved]

I'm in St. Louis, MO and we're getting nothing (sadbanana)

 

[solidtrance]

Just north of Chi here. It is snowing currently, but the rain overnight prevented any accumulation so far. The MS6 sure is fun in the snow though. Last winter I was driving a RWD car and that was challenging to say the least. Snow tires FTW.

 

[bobaru]

only had my ms6 for a month, and luckily just had blizzaks thrown on monday. for the first time last night i wasn't white knuckling it in blizzard conditions. i can't believe the acceleration in snow. i can't wait to get back out there! now it's time to start building my skills by turning off the traction control.

 

[solidtrance]

i can't wait to get back out there! now it's time to start building my skills by turning off the traction control.

Just be sure you are in a remote area (parking lot or something) with nothing to hit! Then have at it. You will have a blast.

only had my ms6 for a month, and luckily just had blizzaks thrown on monday. for the first time last night i wasn't white knuckling it in blizzard conditions. i can't believe the acceleration in snow.

Congrats on the new ride. Keep in mind that the AWD can't make the car stop any faster.

 

[mglavina]

I'm in southern Ontario and we actually got nothing until I woke up this morning...

Looks like a lot of slush on the roads though, gunna be the first winter for my with my ms6...

 

[Col]

Keep in mind that the AWD can't make the car stop any faster.

The Blizzaks will though

 

[solidtrance]

The Blizzaks will though

True enough. I had those on my other car for the last few winters.

 

[bobaru]

Just be sure you are in a remote area (parking lot or something) with nothing to hit! Then have at it. You will have a blast.




Congrats on the new ride. Keep in mind that the AWD can't make the car stop any faster.

i tapped a few snow banks last year with my mustang i just sold, so a parking lot is a good idea. i had to drive in snow on monday to get the blizzaks. the stock porenzas were really bad for stopping. i will still give myself plenty of room to stop, but it is nice to know emergency braking is an option.

 

[solidtrance]

The parking lot thing is a good idea even if you are not looking to have fun. I recommend that to people all the time. Make sure you have plenty of safe room in the PL then see how the DSC/TCS and antilock brakes work. Many people have never experienced any of those systems working. They can startle a drive the first time they kick in, especially if it is during the first bad snow/freeze since people are generally more nervous anyway. Get use to the car stepping in and you will be more likely to react properly when it happens in a truly dangerous situation. Its really just a way to get to know your car. I do this with every car I own when I get the first snow. Just be careful choosing a safe spot. I actually had a cop pull into a lot I was doing this in last winter. My wife was behind the wheel and I explained what we were doing, and he just told us to be careful and don't stay too long.

 

[BADFISH6]

I want some snow the most my car has ever seen was about an inch slush last February

 

[ivsito]

I'm In ABQ, New Mexico, and the snow we got was a dusting and melted away as soon as it hit the ground, And my sons school closed because of winter weather conditions!!! wimps... I'm From Boston, and lived in Champlin, MN for a while too there would have to be a lot of snow for that to happen!
I am jealous of you guys getting to snow drift. I used to always do that.!!!

 

[Col]

The parking lot thing is a good idea even if you are not looking to have fun.

+1 Get to know your car in the extremes. Also try the car without DSC - I'm not sure how the MS6 behaves, but I prefer to turn off the safety systems in my WRX because I know how the car will behave (as opposed to the computer changing what I am trying to do).

 

[solidtrance]

Sure, try both with and without the electronic nannies. MS6 is a pretty capable platform either way.

 

[BIGJOHNB20]

Yea I got home last night and between the actual snow and all the blowing/drifting there was probably 9-12 inches in my driveway. Its kinda a weird sharp turn into the driveway then a tight squeeze into the garage. I went for it but was babying it so I didn't run into my garage. Got halfway, started spinning and dsc light going crazy. It think the dsc started braking some wheels and with my low throttle I ended up killing it. Started it back up, turned dsc off and was able to get in the garage without too much trouble. So, yea long story short sometimes its seems there are situations where the dsc is actually detrimental.

Anyway, its done snowing. Now we just have dirty roads and I have a really dirty car Oh and it was -5F this morning ambient (don't even ask what the windchill was). So I think the snow will be here for a while. Glad I went for the GT with heated seats!

 

[solidtrance]

The DSC uses two methods to stop the wheels from spining, first it will use the breaks on any wheels that loose traction, and if that doesn't work it will limit the throttle. That second scenario is what caused your stall. You responce was exactly right, switch the DSC off and you will be able to spin the tires. In your situation that was the only option.

 

[7zimmer7]

+1 on the MN snow! i live in somewhat southwestern MN and attend school in Brookings, SD. I won't be driving the MS6 back and forth from school but when i go back for xmas break i will be hittin up some large snow covered parking lots!