Got caught in snow with summer tires!

[rondocap]

So I went out for a drive, and while out it started snowing. I only have summer tires on as its my third car, but boy was it slippery!

I slowly drove in 1st and 2nd and made it ok.

Lesson learned, no summer tires if snow comes! They were otherwise ok when in the 30's, but sleet and snow make it a hockey puck.

I have blizzards on my 335i, much better.

[litespeedp]

Close call! Bet that a 2 or 3 inch accumulation of snow would turn our Box's into small snow plows with our low fronts.Glad my everyday driver is a Jeep Wrangler!

[katanihouse@shaw.ca]

I'm in same boat but have been lucky never been caught in snow in 3 years. Need new tires soon debating getting all seasons or running summers again. Live in Vancouver BC but winters pretty mild here hardly ever snows and if does usually turns to slush fairly quickly. Cars mainly for pleasure but does get used to drive to work 12 miles return trip about 8 days a month.

[V-Rod]

For me the bike and boxster never see snow, rarely see rain (if I can help it), or salt laden roads.

Both vehicles see thousands of dollars worth of aluminum and chromed aluminum and steel and I just hate seeing what salt does to it.

Winter beaters are cheap and require no care! O-ops, someone bumped into me...laugh it off!

[katanihouse@shaw.ca]

Originally Posted by V-Rod

For me the bike and boxster never see snow, rarely see rain (if I can help it), or salt laden roads.

Both vehicles see thousands of dollars worth of aluminum and chromed aluminum and steel and I just hate seeing what salt does to it.

Winter beaters are cheap and require no care! O-ops, someone bumped into me...laugh it off!

Ya winter beater might be way to go. Gonna be hard to convince wife to get 3rd vehicle as I've got a sportbike as well though.

[fatmike]

You guys are off base on this.


The Boxster is very good in the snow with proper tires. It's very balanced. It grips and climbs hills well. Even when it slides, its very predictable (and very easy to correct).


Best winter car I've had in decades. I'd say better than the wifey's front wheel drive Honda... Yeah, the clearance isn't great, but when do you really ever drive in deep snow?



/

[JAAY]

Park the Boxster. Snow tires etc. blah blah blah. Get a winter beater 4wheel drive or something.

[rondocap]

The Boxster is my third car, I have a 335i with blizzaks and a Prius plugin with all seasons, so ill just not drive it in snow.

Here's a question: in dry, but cold weather, are the summer tires bad with grip?

[V-Rod]

Originally Posted by rondocap

The Boxster is my third car, I have a 335i with blizzaks and a Prius plugin with all seasons, so ill just not drive it in snow.

Here's a question: in dry, but cold weather, are the summer tires bad with grip?

From what I understand, summer performance tires lose a lot of braking performance under 40 degrees (F).

[katanihouse@shaw.ca]

Originally Posted by V-Rod

From what I understand, summer performance tires lose a lot of breaking performance under 40 degrees (F).

I drive the Boxster with summer tires all the time around 32F and its fine. Obviously I take it easy but even with snow tires I would be careful.

[Frodo]

I've done occasional driving in cold weather with summer performance tires and, for awhile, had no problems. Then I got caught in a light rain, probably around 40 degrees or so. Did a relatively slow speed spin-out---unresponsive to corrective steering--- that got my attention real fast. So be careful when it's cold, even if it's dry, and especially if there's any dampness.

[fatmike]

Originally Posted by rondocap

The Boxster is my third car, I have a 335i with blizzaks and a Prius plugin with all seasons, so ill just not drive it in snow.

Here's a question: in dry, but cold weather, are the summer tires bad with grip?

The Boxster, with proper tires, is night and day better than the 335. I had one and it was terrible in the snow.


Yes, summer performance tires are dangerous in the cold. You will lose traction in an unpredictable way/at an unpredictable time.