Hey well regretfully it started snowing here and today was my first time driving this car in winter and man it was hard. Well i was expecting it too be hard since its RWD. I hit the snow button or w.e doesn't really do that much, or is it? Any suggestions? Get some winter tires? I already have all season tires plus these things are i heard are pretty light at the back. Any suggestions would be great.
Winter recommendations!!
- Thread starter vicls
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scjmc
Dedicated LVC Member
I read an article in Car And Driver about tires. Snow/All season/summer in snow/ice conditions. The snow tires were light years ahead of all season in traction. Or you could come down here...I honestly used my air conditioner in my car all day today.
ILLS
Dedicated LVC Member
Buy a winter beater 4x4 truck for a few grand. In a few years it will pay for itself in snow tires for the LS alone; not to mention the much better condition your LS will remain due to not having to weather the winters... Once the LS gets stuck it is very hard to get it unstuck, even with a very good driver. Go through one winter with the LS and I can guarantee that you will be buying a 4x4 winter beater the next summer anyways.
I have to agree with ILLS...
BUT, that being said...
I kept my factory wheels for my LS and had Bridgestone Blizzak LM-22's mounted on them; I run those in the winter. Usually I drive my truck when it's snowy out, but it's also nice to be able to take the car out and not be overly concerned about getting stuck. I usually keep a bag or two of salt in the trunk in the winter too (adds a bit more weight, plus it's a great traction aid should you get stuck)
Note on the Blizzak's: The LM-22's are Performance Snow tires. If you don't care too much about keeping a sporty ride, and higher speed rating... or don't want to fork over the extra cash... Go with the Blizzak WS-50 (or the new WS-60); they are cheaper, drive better in snow and ice, and are available in more sizes.
BUT, that being said...
I kept my factory wheels for my LS and had Bridgestone Blizzak LM-22's mounted on them; I run those in the winter. Usually I drive my truck when it's snowy out, but it's also nice to be able to take the car out and not be overly concerned about getting stuck. I usually keep a bag or two of salt in the trunk in the winter too (adds a bit more weight, plus it's a great traction aid should you get stuck)
Note on the Blizzak's: The LM-22's are Performance Snow tires. If you don't care too much about keeping a sporty ride, and higher speed rating... or don't want to fork over the extra cash... Go with the Blizzak WS-50 (or the new WS-60); they are cheaper, drive better in snow and ice, and are available in more sizes.
wi812
Active LVC Member
Yea 4x4's are great in all but back to reality. I drove my LS all last winter here in NJ and had no big problems with it at all honestly. I never even considered buying a 4x4 beater cuz I didnt need to. But everyone is different so if you prefer buying a winter beater than im all for it !!!!!:Beer
HyeLifeLS
Dedicated LVC Member
We don't have winter in cali over here, but first you should get some winter tires and slow down a little.
Yea also, LS has nearly perfect weight distribution 52/48 V8 and 51/49 V6 (50/50 with couple of 12" subs in the trunk
) so it's not light in the back.
Yea also, LS has nearly perfect weight distribution 52/48 V8 and 51/49 V6 (50/50 with couple of 12" subs in the trunk
) so it's not light in the back.
02V8Sport
Dedicated LVC Member
I just mounted a set of Blizzaks on my winter wheels. http://www.lincolnvscadillac.com/showthread.php?t=37033
Also get 6 60lb bags of Quikcrete from Home Depot and lay them across the trunk. This extra weight will help you a TON too.
Also get 6 60lb bags of Quikcrete from Home Depot and lay them across the trunk. This extra weight will help you a TON too.
ILLS
Dedicated LVC Member
The reality is that this guy lives in Winnipeg. That is roughly 800 miles further north of NJ. Probably a little different winter driving conditions there which require more than just added weight and snow tires on an already low ground clearance car with a RWD open diff. Not a great winter driving combo.
I drove my LS through two winters. The first one was no problem as it was pretty mild. The second one was not so enjoyable. There are many benefits to getting a beater 4x4 vehicle for winter driving. Off the top of my head the only con that would prevent a person from taking this route would be the storage space needed for an additional vehicle and the larger initial up front cost. Heck even then you are saving money because you can drop the LS down to storage insurance and keep liability on the beater. Getting a 4x4 winter beater for a few grand may not be for everyone, but it sure is really smart to do it if you can. I will never go back to driving a vehicle like the LS in the winter if I can help it.
360 Lbs!?!?!? Good lord!
I used to carry around a 500lb concrete block in my 89 F-150 4x2 I had back in highschool; that was enough to make it squat... I couldn't imagine driving around with 360lbs in the trunk of my LS!
pragmatic
Dedicated LVC Member
I've said it before, get four good snow tires. I take mine to VT in the snow every other weekend. All but the deepest snow (18 inches in the last 12 hours unplowed) with a steep grade (last hill averages 10% for ~1 mile) are real drivable.
As for Winnipeg I've driven several months there during January and March, the snow never seemed to get deep, its real flat and real cold. All this will help. Once its below ~0F (~-20C) snow traction get pretty good. I've never gotten stuck on flat terrain even with the front bumper pushing snow over the hood. So get some good snows mounted on a set of stock 16 inch rims narrower the better (I use 215/60/16) and drive carefully both on the snow and on the clear and wet (these narrow snows can lose it even on clear roads).
02V8Sport
Dedicated LVC Member
360 is a lot of weight in the LS, but I never got stuck in any of the 3 LS's Ive owned in the snow. The extra weight over the rear tires helped tremendously.
ILLS
Dedicated LVC Member
Different strokes for different folks. It just seems a waste to do that considering the multiple advantages of the alternative approach.
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winter should be fun this year for me too, ive roasted the tires off enough this summer to have no thread lol. but i also used to drive RWD modded Camaros/ta's in snow...the Ls just sucks ass cuz its not ALWAYS posi/LSD. driving down the road sideways cuz the road is slanted isnt new to me, but still a ROYAL PITA when you get stuck on a speed bump!!! OF ALL THINGS!!!! BLLLAAAHHHHHH i love winter
get an ugly 4x4,even if it gets hit, who cares. its not you, but the other dumbasses you have to look out for. if they hit you they wont care, cause either they have full coverage, or they have no license and insurance! if you get hit in something ugly, tough, and mean, you wont care. all im trying to say is get an old american iron(chevy, ford, dodge.) dont let some dumbass take out your baby! and dont forget to start your baby when you aint drivin her
5speed02
LVC Member
I have never had a problem on Long Island with all seasons, and I take it to Vermont all winter with all seasons and the LS never gets stuck. Just make sure you have decent tread on the tires.