How safe is it to drive my Box on snow?
 

Thinking of visiting a friend in Big Bear, CA, at 7,000 + feet...

If I get some snow, how will the Boxster S (2007) handle???

Bad idea, or fine to go up there?

Thanks,
Michael

If it's cold and there's snow and you have summer tires, you'll basically be on a giant snow board. If you have all-season tires and the snow's not more than an inch or so, you would be fine.

Blue's correct. The car is a great handling car in snow with the wonderful weight distribution across all four corners of the car... but ONLY if you have the right tires for it.

Ultra high performance summer tires, which are standard on our cars, are absolutely horrid in cold weather under 40 degrees, even if it's dry and no snow is on the ground. Add the white stuff and it's slip and slide everywhere.

When are you planning to go? It looks really nice up there for the next week.

http://www.weather.com/weather/tenday/USCA0093?from=36hr_fcst10DayLink_undeclared

I spun mine 90 degrees when it caught and swung back the other way a full 360 (I have a few tweaks and lots of torque). Mid engine cars can spin like tops.

No matter though, I believe they won’t let even a Hummer up the road into big bear and points beyond without chains if there’s snow on the road.

Regards, PK

Mid engine cars are on snow and ice like they are on the track. Great but only if you have the right tires. There is a big misconception that all season tires are good in the snow. All seasons are not designed for heavy snow or ice and certainly not for snowy mountain roads. That all said you should check out the "auto sock" I think they are made in Norway but I could be wrong. They are better than chains and so easy to put on a teenage girl could do it(no offense to teenage girls). After my trip out west last February I keep a set in my trunk in the winter.

Summer tires do not work in snow even very very light snow and should NEVER EVER BE USED. Summer tires do not work very well when temps go below 40 degrees F and using them in cold weather especially if its a bit wet should be avoided. Just a little slush is enough to cause a major off. Take another car or mount winter tires if there is any chance you will encounter snow.

Here is your issue or issues.,

On the road up to Big Bear are the CHP guys. If there is an substantial snow, they will declare a Chains ONLY day.

Then, if you don't have chains, they turn you around and send you back down the road.

So, if there is snow, you must have chains.

Now, the illegals are there to put your chains on for you , for a fee.

If you don' t have chains, some of them have those also, for a much higher fee.

If you have snows on, that won't help with the CHP.


It is chains, or nothing.

I would leave the box home and rent an Subaru. They do have a four wheel drive chain exemption under certain conditions.

Good luck and be careful out there.

:D

In the ads for auto socks they say
 

safe for speeds up to 30 MPH. Sounds pretty limited.

You're right, they are limited. You can't use them on dry roads, I think they will wear through in about 10 miles and you can't drive high speeds with 'em. Do you really want to be going over 30 on a road that requires chains would be my question. They are intended to be very easy to put on and also very safe. I can tell you first hand that they do grip better than chains and go on in a snap. It is my understanding that the Colorado Highway Patrol is going to approve these for use on semis as they are much safer for the drivers to put on and use than chains.

The biggest thing though is that you can put them on your nice aluminum wheels without ruining them. I couldn't imagine putting chains on an alumininum wheel even if I could find a set to fit. I had a problem with an exact match of the auto socks for the aftermarket wheels on my AMG but the guys at the dealer were able to find a fit by calculating the sidewall height and tire width to find a match. I wish I had the distribution rights for these things, they can be a lifesaver.

The final nail in the coffin.

In the box, once the snow hits the bottom of the car, you are done for no matter what you have on the wheels.

Last time I was in Big Bear they had a 15" dump.

Lights out.

:D

I think you're right about that!