s0n1cm0nk3y
Member
- :
- '03 Protege
terrible? not? what to expect? I will be grabbing some snow tires of the summer so that is no problem, I am just curious how they are if I snow tire it.
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02 mx-5 in the snow
- Thread starter s0n1cm0nk3y
- Start date
s0n1cm0nk3y
Member
- :
- '03 Protege
lol yeah, I know. I mean Ive never driven a rear wheel in the snow, but then again Ive read people saying with sand bags and studs, they are fine.
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- 2002 BJFW, 2007 BK3P, 1979 SA22C, 2005 BK3P
snow tires and sand bags in the trunk with a healthy dose of common sense. should be ok. my brother's msm is awful in the snow without the above added to the mix.
I've not used sand bags or snow tires in my decades of driving. Last year, I brought home the LT1 RX-7 from VA. I ran through some snow with that and thought I'd get in trouble with it. Nope. It did just fine. It's all in how one drives a car as to how it will handle. Get careless with any car; and, the bad experience can happen. Of course, there are those who are too careful, as well. Those folks should stay home when it gets slick because they're really to afraid to be driving in those conditions. Common sense prevails.
When I had my '97 Miata, I ran snow tires in the coldest part of the winter, and full-on high performance summer tire the rest of the year. The first 1/4" of snow one year fell before I got the snows on, and the car would barely move. I made it to the first speed-bump in the neighborhood, and could go no further!
With the snow tires, it was great! Start up in 2nd gear, upshift as soon as you can to reduce torque and wheel slip, brake early and gently, turn gently while going slowly, and you're good to go. Basically, if you're smart about it, it's great.
The best way to learn the relevant skill set is to autocross it in the rain so you get the feel of what the car does when it slides. When you do start to slip, it's very easy to gather up and straighten out though.
The other snow problem is ground clearance. Miata's are low, it doesn't take much to turn your front valance into a snowplow.
I never added weight to the rear. The car has great balance, and the snow tires gave grip, so it was good.
With the snow tires, it was great! Start up in 2nd gear, upshift as soon as you can to reduce torque and wheel slip, brake early and gently, turn gently while going slowly, and you're good to go. Basically, if you're smart about it, it's great.
The best way to learn the relevant skill set is to autocross it in the rain so you get the feel of what the car does when it slides. When you do start to slip, it's very easy to gather up and straighten out though.
The other snow problem is ground clearance. Miata's are low, it doesn't take much to turn your front valance into a snowplow.
I never added weight to the rear. The car has great balance, and the snow tires gave grip, so it was good.
s0n1cm0nk3y
Member
- :
- '03 Protege
hmmm, for a guy that lives in colorado and probably has two more monthes of snow and no rwd experience in the snow, what do you guys think?
hmmm, for a guy that lives in colorado and probably has two more monthes of snow and no rwd experience in the snow, what do you guys think?
Keep it in the garage until spring. (yes)
Just kidding. I actually do keep our cars in the garage if there is snow because I don't like salt on them. I drove in the Denver area in winter one time, in my life. It was OK in the car I was driving. We actually went across the mountain to go to a steak house on the other side, that night. It was a business trip. I drove because the others in the group knew I drove long distances to work in the snow and was more used to it. The car we were driving was a larger real wheel car. No problems and no snow tires. Again, a lot depends on your driving experience in it.
I have driven light and heavier cars in snow and have made it to work 35 miles from here; but, the Miatas may sit a little lower than most cars I've driven to work, as well. Lower them some; and, the problem can increase. Even though I've had snow rub the bottoms of my cars as I'd leave town for work, some mornings, that was mostly with front wheel drive cars. More often, I took my Mazda PU for that kind of snow. Again, no snow tires.
If you're really concerned, use snow tires, a little weight in the back, some chains when needed, etc. Do not deflate the tires. That's a safety issue, for sure. Personally, I wouldn't subject my Miata to that kind of weather, though. Of course, our cars do get pampered way too much. I spoil them, I guess.
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- 2002 BJFW, 2007 BK3P, 1979 SA22C, 2005 BK3P
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get a friend with a big 4x4. find a big empty snow covered parking lot and have some fun. (4x4 is needed to pull you out if you get stuck)
I can remember driving to work on snow days and seeing four wheelers in the ditch. That added confidence just got them there, faster. They're worth their weight in gold, if used correctly, though. I remember one time when they closed the plant not long after I got to work. As I was driving home, I got behind a fwd car and a four wheel drive truck. There was one section that had drifted over the road so badly that we kinda drove under it. The 4X4 made the road easier for us; but, the snow was still bumping the bottoms of the cars. The highway dept. closed the road right after we went through. It was a mess; but, I made it home. I had fwd and no snow tires. There were many sections where the snow was deep enough to drag the bottom of the car. I don't think a Miata would have made that one.
I am dreading the Miata in snow...it may never even see the snow lol.
I know I seem anal when I tell you guys I pamper our cars, too much. I don't let them out of the garage unless the roads are dry, pretty much. The truck is our beater for times like that. I don't mind the wife driving the RX-8 on rainy days, if she's already out in it; but, if it looks like it's going to be wet, stormy, etc, she takes the truck. All of our vehicles have a space in the garage. Even the old truck is kept inside, when not in use. It's over 14yo and still looks pretty good.
s0n1cm0nk3y
Member
- :
- '03 Protege
you know that really wasnt that difficult to do. First snow storm in the miata, and to be honest, I had a bit of fun. countering a slide is not that difficult. YAY FOR TOYO PROXES 4's!
