Tips for Taking the CX-5 to the Snow (First timer)

[SK77X]

So, we're thinking of taking the CX-5 to the snow since winter season is upon us. I've never driven in the snow, so I thought I'd do research and get as much helpful advice as I could beforehand.

We have a 2016 CX-5 GT AWD with both the Tech and I-Activesense packages. The only modifications I've made is adding spacers to the rears (25mm). The tires are stock and have about 11K miles on them.

I guess the obvious question I have is if this is a safe setup for driving on the snow (it'd only be for a day or two, and we'd be pretty much sticking to well-traveled roads)? Would you advise getting snow chains?

Any other advice on driving in the snow for a first timer?



Thanks!

 

[CX-5um]

I first learned to drive using a manual FWD Mazda Protege in the snow and ice using studded (spiked) tires. By the time I returned to California I was a very good driver. Tires are THE most important things to have on the car right up there with technique.

 

[Kaps]

I used to do a FWD on a 10 yr old corolla in Colo. Sprngs. Though it was fairly good since the roads were cleaned regularly I did slide a bit but no accidents. My tires were crappy too.
I would say just common sense and being defensive with good distance is ok.
Icy conditions is more worrisome, not snow - usually when sun melts part of the snow and it gets dark and whatever water left turns to ice.
Deflate your tires by 1-2 psi and add some weight in trunk if you want a bit more balance - this will hit mpg.
If you need chains then you really ought to be indoors or love snow / winter.

 

[SoulArmored]

Chains would not be needed. Just simply be cautious. Can go into large parking lot and just see how car feels and reacts in snow conditions. Give yourself good room in between cars and braking. Easier inputs than normal too with gas/brake/steering wheel. Be safe!

 

[Kedis82ZE8]

Good advice here

http://icyroadsafety.com/correct.shtml

 

[jhu8]

Yeah I think the best advice is just using common sense, and most importantly leaving plenty of space between you and other cars. You will always end up sliding a little and having that extra space makes it a non issue.

The cx5 does a really good job in the snow. I haven't had any issues with stock tires as well. Obviously just being very cautious.

 

[Reggae]

Only one rule.....TAKE YOUR TIME while you drive.

 

[psg]

I'm a lurker and joined the forum just to post this so OP doesn't get over confident just because they have AWD.

Some of the advice here is not completely relevant for California if you're going through mountain passes (i.e. on the way to Tahoe, Mammoth Lakes, and the Western Sierras just in general).

The CHP reserves the right to turn people away in chain control areas, even if you have AWD/4WD. They even reserve the right to check if you are carrying chains/cables in the car if you're travelling in a region that is known for severe weather conditions. The reality is that if you have M+S tires or actual winter tires on your car and you need chains, the CHP will outright close the road before that happens, but you're still required by law to have them.

Lastly, AWD doesn't help you turn on ice, which is the real danger of winter driving. AWD just helps you accelerate up to speed quicker in low traction situations and the heft and clearance of the vehicle helps you maintain momentum in snow. AWD doesn't help with braking. It doesn't matter how many drive wheels you have if there's zero traction available. The most important thing is the tire type and the condition that they're in, not how many drive axles you have or how heavy your car is.

If it's really bad out, postpone your trip or time your departure to not put you and your family in a bad spot. As someone who has worked at a ski resort before (so I had to drive many miles in the snow, regardless of the condition), every weekend you see way too many people that bit off more than they can chew, and it's usually people that think that just having AWD on their car/truck is more than sufficient to keep it out of a snowbank.

Check this site before you leave and type in the highways you're travelling on:
http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/roadinfo/wo.htm

Source:
http://www.dot.ca.gov/trafficops/trucks/chains.html

If I have 4-wheel-drive, do I need to carry chains?

Yes. Even though weather conditions may not warrant the use of chains on 4-wheel-drive vehicles at a particular time, to enter a chain control area, you must have a set of chains (for one drive axle) for your vehicle in your possession. If conditions worsen or you have trouble controlling your vehicle, you must stop and install the chains.

If I have snow tires, do I need to carry chains?

Yes. Even though weather conditions may not warrant the use of chains on passenger vehicles equipped with snow tires at a particular time, to enter a chain control area, you must have a set of chains (one pair) for your vehicle in your possession. If conditions worsen or you have trouble controlling your vehicle, you must stop and install the chains.

This part is overkill for the OP if they're just looking to play around in the snow one weekend, but I'll include it anyway:

If you are going to do a lot of winter driving (even of the course of a few years), invest in a second set of cheap wheels and mount a set of winter tires. Winter tires (like Bridgestone Blizzaks) are a softer compound that grip a bit better on ice and snow, have tread & sipes that are better suited for snow, and do not turn into hard bricks during freezing conditions. On the contrast, that means they will wear out prematurely in non-winter conditions and are typically noisier. But if you need to get from point A to point B in heavy snow frequently and delays are unacceptable, it's a solid investment.

 

[Conrad 16.5]

Driving in the snow can be GREAT fun! I've done it all my life, practically.

Question for those of you who like to play in the snow with your CX-5 (I don't have mine yet, two more weeks). With the electronic parking brake is it possible to lock up the rear wheels while cranking the steering wheel and slide that sucker around? Now that's fun! Just not with my wife in the car... (shocked)

 

[davesxx01]

Biggest thing to remember! You can accelerate easily in the snow,,,,, but your stopping distances will be much greater!!! Do NOT confuse your ability to go the same as your ability to stop!

 

[freys]

My advice stay home and stay out of the way. I hate the first week of snow or tourists from California. You can spot every damn one of them from California because they drive like a Grandma if the road is wet after their first curb hop or slide out into a intersection.

 

[SK77X]

Thank you everyone for your insight and tips! PSG, I especially want to thank you for that amazingly helpful post, specifically because it relates to California.

Our plan is to go up to the Sierras for just the day, and definitely will only go if the weather is good and clear. I've already researched the cost for winter tires and a set of 17" wheels, and was surprised that it wouldn't cost that much, especially since the tires should last 3-5 years depending on how much you use them.

I think for this trip, I'll stick with my current setup and just approach everything with extra caution. If the weather conditions warrant the CHP to enforce show chains, then that's not the sort of weather we even want to play around in. On the other hand, snow chains are only about $100, so I might just get them to make the CHP happy. For future trips I think I'll get a set of dedicated winter tires.


Thanks again everyone for all the help!!

 

[CX-5um]

AWD doesn't help you turn on ice, which is the real danger of winter driving. AWD just helps you accelerate up to speed quicker in low traction situations and the heft and clearance of the vehicle helps you maintain momentum in snow. AWD doesn't help with braking. It doesn't matter how many drive wheels you have if there's zero traction available. The most important thing is the tire type and the condition that they're in, not how many drive axles you have or how heavy your car is.

I've driven in snow/ice in Anchorage Alaska in a fwd manual Mazda Protege passing by Tahoes and AWD Subarus stuck in the snow. I have a co-worker whom just bought a 2016 WRX STi with stock tires. Wanted to test out his new car in the snow. I told him without appropriate tires intended for snow he really really has to watch out. Came to work on a Monday and told me he crashed his car into a truck because he lost traction on a corner. He wasn't driving fast. Once your car is sliding only thing you can do is wait for something to stop you. Driving up a or down a hill you really need traction. He told me he learned his lesson about tires. There's a false sense of security people have with AWD. Considering it might be OP's first time driving in snow I'd highly recommend a flat open surface free from other cars first to understand the limits of his car.


So glad I don't have to buy an extra set of studded tires living in the desert.

 

[ctbale]

find a snowy parking lot and learn what it feels like to slide around. better experience it there then when on road around other people.

 

[psg]

Thank you everyone for your insight and tips! PSG, I especially want to thank you for that amazingly helpful post, specifically because it relates to California.

Our plan is to go up to the Sierras for just the day, and definitely will only go if the weather is good and clear. I've already researched the cost for winter tires and a set of 17" wheels, and was surprised that it wouldn't cost that much, especially since the tires should last 3-5 years depending on how much you use them.

I think for this trip, I'll stick with my current setup and just approach everything with extra caution. If the weather conditions warrant the CHP to enforce show chains, then that's not the sort of weather we even want to play around in. On the other hand, snow chains are only about $100, so I might just get them to make the CHP happy. For future trips I think I'll get a set of dedicated winter tires.


Thanks again everyone for all the help!!

No problem! Better to ask questions now before you end up needing to get pulled out of a ditch. Shoot me a PM if you have other questions.

 

[ALafya]

I'm a lurker and joined the forum just to post this so OP doesn't get over confident just because they have AWD.

Some of the advice here is not completely relevant for California if you're going through mountain passes (i.e. on the way to Tahoe, Mammoth Lakes, and the Western Sierras just in general).

The CHP reserves the right to turn people away in chain control areas, even if you have AWD/4WD. They even reserve the right to check if you are carrying chains/cables in the car if you're travelling in a region that is known for severe weather conditions. The reality is that if you have M+S tires or actual winter tires on your car and you need chains, the CHP will outright close the road before that happens, but you're still required by law to have them.

Lastly, AWD doesn't help you turn on ice, which is the real danger of winter driving. AWD just helps you accelerate up to speed quicker in low traction situations and the heft and clearance of the vehicle helps you maintain momentum in snow. AWD doesn't help with braking. It doesn't matter how many drive wheels you have if there's zero traction available. The most important thing is the tire type and the condition that they're in, not how many drive axles you have or how heavy your car is.

If it's really bad out, postpone your trip or time your departure to not put you and your family in a bad spot. As someone who has worked at a ski resort before (so I had to drive many miles in the snow, regardless of the condition), every weekend you see way too many people that bit off more than they can chew, and it's usually people that think that just having AWD on their car/truck is more than sufficient to keep it out of a snowbank.

Check this site before you leave and type in the highways you're travelling on:
http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/roadinfo/wo.htm

Source:
http://www.dot.ca.gov/trafficops/trucks/chains.html



This part is overkill for the OP if they're just looking to play around in the snow one weekend, but I'll include it anyway:

If you are going to do a lot of winter driving (even of the course of a few years), invest in a second set of cheap wheels and mount a set of winter tires. Winter tires (like Bridgestone Blizzaks) are a softer compound that grip a bit better on ice and snow, have tread & sipes that are better suited for snow, and do not turn into hard bricks during freezing conditions. On the contrast, that means they will wear out prematurely in non-winter conditions and are typically noisier. But if you need to get from point A to point B in heavy snow frequently and delays are unacceptable, it's a solid investment.

+1
Also in San Jose area, I agree with what psg said.
Another thing to consider is winter storm advisory. Highway 50, 88 and I80 can all get extremely slow on a winter storm. You may want to avoid this, as you can get stuck for hours on the road when cars slow to a standstill even if the road is 'open'.
Keep in mind that braking takes much longer and be careful from debris/pebble paint damage from other cars.

 

[camellochapin]

Winter tires!

I was born in the tropics and when I had to drive for my first winter here in Canada the common message was... winter tires! So many people believe "ohh I have AWD, then I do not need winter tires"... they are so wrong, AWD has nothing to do with stopping or turning on icy/snowy conditions. Keep in mind, the tires are the only contact between the ice/snow and your vehicle, regardless of the traction (2WD/4WD-AWD) you might have.

Braking is also very different, consider longer braking distances and avoid reaching an intersection at a high speed.

Tire Rack has plenty of options and lots of articles on how to select the proper winter tires for your vehicle, those guys are amazing!