So for those of you that are lowered, have you noticed a significant difference with winter/snow driving? Other than the fact that the front of the car is lower and going to plow more snow than stock height (assuming the snow is even that deep), I can't think of any other negative effects. Would a lower center of gravity make the car perform worse in snow? Let me know if I'm missing anything.
lowering springs and winter driving...
- Thread starter moundtown
- Start date
toomanyfumes
Well-Known LVC Member
That's one thing that's made me think twice about lowering my car. Probably would need a winter beater first. Also my daughter will be driving in a few years and I'll probably give her the LS and pick up a V8 model or something else. I could see the front spoiler getting ripped off in about a week with a teenager driving it.
It sucks that for those of us that have a winter to deal with, it costs more to lower the vehicle. Since we need a second vehicle to drive during the winter.
I have springs on the way. I also have a winter beater lined up. 1985 Chev. Full size pickup. 350, 4 wheel drive, reg. cab long box, in primer black.
I have springs on the way. I also have a winter beater lined up. 1985 Chev. Full size pickup. 350, 4 wheel drive, reg. cab long box, in primer black.
toomanyfumes
Well-Known LVC Member
I had some great winter beaters back in the day. The two best were a '69 Buick Skylark and a '73 Chevy Impala. I used to take the Skylark four-wheellin' and I just couldn't kill the car.
SPSully
Dedicated LVC Member
lower center of gravity is ALWAYS a good handling thing. Sucks plowing though!
My "winter beater" was my wife's 4wd Ford Escape...the lowered LS didnt go anywhere in our snow. Not that its an ongoing concern, but we got record snow in December, and we had to carpool...lucky we work for the same company, in the same office!
You call that lucky? Must not have been married for very long.
How deep is the snow near you guys as to where you're plowing snow with a lowered car??
I drove my Focus lowered 2" with a front chin spoiler here in CT all year round and never had an issue with snow... they plow the roads here within a couple of hours of a heavy fall though. The chin spoiler was about 3" off the ground at it's lowest, and I never scooped anything heavy enough to tear it off.
I drove my Focus lowered 2" with a front chin spoiler here in CT all year round and never had an issue with snow... they plow the roads here within a couple of hours of a heavy fall though. The chin spoiler was about 3" off the ground at it's lowest, and I never scooped anything heavy enough to tear it off.
SPSully
Dedicated LVC Member
i are in oh kan-a-duh
Thanks for the replies everyone. A "beater" is not really an option for me right now, unfortunately. So I'm getting pretty mixed answers on the lowering though....some are fine, some wouldn't even think about it. Keep the comments coming though, good stuff.
My last car was lowered 1.25" (Ford Focus), and I never had a problem with snow driving, but then again it was front wheel drive and a 5 speed.....
My last car was lowered 1.25" (Ford Focus), and I never had a problem with snow driving, but then again it was front wheel drive and a 5 speed.....
Let's not get into the FWD vs RWD debate...
If you live in city limits where they plow quickly after a snow, you shouldn't have any problems.
I need the winter beater because I live about 7 miles out of town, and down a dead end road. If it were to snow badly today, I wouldn't see a grater (no plows out that far) on my road until tomorrow afternoon at the earliest.
If you live in city limits where they plow quickly after a snow, you shouldn't have any problems.
I need the winter beater because I live about 7 miles out of town, and down a dead end road. If it were to snow badly today, I wouldn't see a grater (no plows out that far) on my road until tomorrow afternoon at the earliest.
as long as the road is plowed, you should be fine. my lower front air "dam" had the screws break before i even lowered my car. i got sick of it falling down and plowing the road so i ripped it out. no cooling difference whatsoever. now im lowered on eibachs and the depth of snow is not an issue at all- and we've had plenty here. just keep some weight in the back, and get some aggressive snow tires and that will improve things a lot. i still have my g-force all seasons on and i can get by okay.
you still have to pay attention to deeper stuff like the end of a driveway or unplowed areas, but not really any more than you normally would. we have a long wheelbase so it can be easy to get hung up in deep snow. you're all done if you do, you wont get out. tow- truck time if that happens.
you still have to pay attention to deeper stuff like the end of a driveway or unplowed areas, but not really any more than you normally would. we have a long wheelbase so it can be easy to get hung up in deep snow. you're all done if you do, you wont get out. tow- truck time if that happens.