Winter Driving Experiences

[Tyger]

Just curious to know your experiences in winter driving conditions. I've seen a few post about how the stock tires bite on the Mazda 3. Besides the frigid cold how does the 3 handle in the snow? Here in Toronto we've had alot of snow lately and i'll be purchasing one soon. It would be nice to be prepared.

Tyger

 

[RockyRapier]

I guess I should count myself lucky thus far (knock on wood).

I haven't had any of the problems people have been talking about here. My 3 warms up fast in the morning, mind you i'm in a parking garage where the temp is probably just above 0. It's a 5min drive to work and the heat is pumping 4min in. When it has been parkig outside in snow the windows defrost pretty fast, haven't noticed any fogging. Only issue I'm havig is the sqeaky breaks for the first few breaks. Tire to blow on the snow but its only around for a day or so before the roads are clear again in TO.

Not sure what complaints people have about the tires on dry roads, i think they grip pretty good, have been able to take on-ramps at 80 or 90 km'h without tire squeel.

Has it been decide whats causing the break sqeak? Should i be taking my 3 in to have it serviced?

-Rocky

 

[CharlieDigital]

I've noticed that my gf's 6i tends to have a hard time starting when it's cold outside (< 32 F/ < 0 C), but I haven't noticed it recently. I should note that she had this same problem with her previous 2000 Protege ES.

And she's always had a problem with terrible, terrible front windshield fogging. But this happens even in the summer. Don't know if this is the case on the 3 as well. I think it has to do with the air intake...letting too much moisture in or something.

Other than that, it's fine in the cold weather.