Driving in snow

[new car buyer]

My car is really terrible in the snow. Is this something common with these cars? Would putting on snow tires make much of a difference? If so, what would you guys recommend? Are there any snow tires that would fit our rims or would I have to buy new rims as well? Any advice or suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.

[rookie1]

My car is really terrible in the snow. Is this something common with these cars? Would putting on snow tires make much of a difference? If so, what would you guys recommend? Are there any snow tires that would fit our rims or would I have to buy new rims as well? Any advice or suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.

Yes, it's common traction control or not. it's common to all rwd v8 sedans. Do a search here on snow tires, Blizzak seems to be a popular chaice and TireRack has tire/wheel pckgs available at a reasonable price.

[gpfarrell]

My car is really terrible in the snow. Is this something common with these cars? Would putting on snow tires make much of a difference? If so, what would you guys recommend? Are there any snow tires that would fit our rims or would I have to buy new rims as well? Any advice or suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.

If you search the topic you'll find more answers than you'll care to read.

Snow tires make an incredible difference, especially when going from a low-profile, high-performance tire to a narrower snow-specific design.

We put snow biters on the BMW, so our MM has spent most of its winter in the garage. However, I drove a 1985 5.0 Mustang in Erie, PA for a winter and the diffence between Gatorbacks and re-cap snowtires was the difference between walking and driving. If snow tires can make a 5.0 go, a Marauder will be fine.

[dwasson]

Yes, it's common traction control or not. it's common to all rwd v8 sedans.

Now I feel old. This is just something that I assumed as the truth. Now we have this generation who grew up driving FWD cars and they have never had the joy of going lock to lock on a side street at 6 MPH.

So, with that in mind, here's a tip for the young guys:

HP + RWD = Excitement on dry pavement
HP + RWD = Frustration on snow

:burnout:

[BillyGman]

Many of us have gone with the Michelin Arcitic Alipne snow tires as of last year, and they work great. However, for some reason, Michelin has discontinued them. So I'd have to recommend the Bridgestone Blizzak WS-50 snow tires because I've heard very good things about them. They come in a P235/55/18" size, so you can use them on your stock Marauder wheels if you want to. Just be sure to get the "WS-50" ones since they are all out snow tires which is what you want if you expect a major difference in traction for the snow IMO. Snow tires definately make a very noticeable difference on our cars.


There is atleast one board member here who has gone with the 18" size bridgestone Blizzak tires and used the stock Marauder mag wheels. However, keep in mind that the general consensus here is that the salt on the roads will dull your wheel finish, and that's why most Marauder owners here like myself have purchased black steel wheels for the winter. if you choose that route, then you'll have to go with a 16" wheel since there are no steel rims made in an 18" diameter.

[new car buyer]

[QUOTE=BillyGman]I'd have to recommend the Bridgestone Blizzak WS-50 snow tires because I've heard very good things about them. They come in a P235/55/18" size, so you can use them on your stock Marauder wheels if you want to[QUOTE]

Would there be a problem using the same size tire on all four corners on the MM?

[BillyGman]

Would there be a problem using the same size tire on all four corners on the MM?There might be if your MM has traction control. If it doesn't have it, then there will NOT be any problem at all. Last summer I drove on P245/55/18's on all four corners for almost a month, and I had absolutely no problems with the ABS. But my car doesn't have traction control. So if you have traction control, then that mightmake your decision easier, since you might have no choice but to go with 16" rims. BTW, what state do you live in? I ask you that, because winter is almost over for most of us.

[new car buyer]

There might be if your MM has traction control. If it doesn't have it, then there will NOT be any problem at all. Last summer I drove on P245/55/18's on all four corners for almost a month, and I had absolutely no problems with the ABS. But my car doesn't have traction control. So if you have traction control, then that mightmake your decision easier, since you might have no choice but to go with 16" rims. BTW, what state do you live in? I ask you that, because winter is almost over for most of us.

I have a 2003 300A, I don't have traction control so I guess the P235/55/18" on all four corners will not be a problem. I live on Long Island so winter is just about over here too. Its just that I had so many problems in the snow this year that I am just trying to plan ahead for next year.

[BillyGman]

I have a 2003 300A, I don't have traction control so I guess the P235/55/18" on all four corners will not be a problem. I live on Long Island so winter is just about over here too. Its just that I had so many problems in the snow this year that I am just trying to plan ahead for next year.I have a 2003 MM 300A also, and despite what the tire places were telling me that I could NOT use the same size tires on the front and back for my car, I told them thanks, but I know better than that since I know of people on this board who have done that w/out the ABS light on the dash going on. And I didn't have a problem. I like the way the car sits evenly with all four tires being the same height anyway. I think it's a good idea to get a re-alginment done though since you've changed the rake, and therefore the front end alignment geometry might be thrown off a bit.

[CRUZTAKER]

Hello NEWCAR guy....

The OEM BFG's are lousy in the snow, period. That is the biggest problem, not that we have a RWD V8 full size car.

Get a set of matching 16" steelies and true snow only tires, and you will be amazed how aggressive the MM is in the snow.

It's probably too late to get the kit from TireRack as they usually sell out by now. Too far into winter.

Read up on all the snow tire threads for more information.

[merc406]

My car is really terrible in the snow. Is this something common with these cars? Would putting on snow tires make much of a difference? If so, what would you guys recommend? Are there any snow tires that would fit our rims or would I have to buy new rims as well? Any advice or suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.





Advice......buy a beater........keep the MM in the garage..........

[O's Fan Rich]

Advice......buy a beater........keep the MM in the garage..........

I did just that!
99 Subaru Legacy AWD !!!!
No stinkin' snow tires for me.

[BillyGman]

I did just that!
99 Subaru Legacy AWD !!!!
No stinkin' snow tires for me.I believe that it's a fact that AWD, and FWD cars are better in the snow than RWD ones are, provided they have snow tires. But I've seen a number of FWD cars stuck in the middle of big hills while I just drove around them and conquered those same hills with my RWD Marauder and a good set of snow tires. That happened to me both this year as well as last year. So I cannot help but to think that those FWD vehicles that I've passed by which were stuck in the snow had the run of the mill "all season" radials. I've also witnessed a 4-WD Jeep spin out in the winter time.

My point is, that although some of this has a lot to do with people who obviously didn't know how to drive in the snow(and there are plenty of those around :rolleyes: ) I think that even with AWD, and FWD vehicles, there's still a need for snow tires. I see so many motorists on the snowy roads driving FWD, and AWD vehicles who seem to think they're invinceable even w/out having snow tires. But I've witnessed a number of them get stuck as well as having accidents

[O's Fan Rich]

I AM invincible!!!!

Or was that invisible? My wife said something like this just last night....... :cool:

Actually, my post was not a comment towards you, just that after last year, I had/have no desire to drive my MM in the winter weather.
In fact, I had her out Monday and yesterday morning, but when the weather ent bad, I drove her home and got the Subaru... glad i did too.

[BillyGman]

I AM invincible!!!!

Or was that invisible? My wife said something like this just last night....... :cool:

Actually, my post was not a comment towards you, just that after last year, I had/have no desire to drive my MM in the winter weather.
In fact, I had her out Monday and yesterday morning, but when the weather ent bad, I drove her home and got the Subaru... glad i did too.You mean you're married at 2 years old? ......anyway...yeah, I hear ya.....:)

[Dr Caleb]

Snow tires all the way, baby! Everyone knows the expression, "Jack of all trades; Master of none". That's what all season tires are. Good in most weather conditions, great at none of them.

The OEM tires are good at hot, dry pavement, but I find when the approach freezing, they are crap. Even on my winter beater, I put on snow tires. Studded too.

[Constable]

I have to disagree with alot of these posts. My Marauder has served me well in the snow and on the ice. In fact, all last winter was done with nearly bald rear tires. My car is a daily driver and sees alot of weather.

I have not gotten stuck once, and have been able to negotiate many uphil icy roads. Even my crown vic at work is suprisingly good in the white stuff. Just have to slow down and drive carefully, that's all. Of course the MM and CV aren't as capable in the snow as an AWD car or 4WD truck, but they are leaps and bounds better than tons of cars out on the roadway. I think alot of it has to do with their weight, ground clearance, and skinny tires.

The heavy weight pushes the car down through light snow onto the pavement. The skinny tires help as well by "cutting" to the solid ground. Even though our MM's are "lower" than CV's, they're still pretty tall. That allows a good amount of smow to pass under the car without creating resistance by pushing against the diff or other undercarriage parts.

[BillyGman]

With the oem stock tires, I never got stuck either, but I wasn't able to make it up many hills, and it forced me to take alternate routes home from work. And I also got sick and tired of starting out on a level snow covered road when the traffic light turned green, and the light turning red already by the time I giot the car to hook up and move. Thereby causing all the motorists behind me in line to lay on their horns, and I couldn't blame them either. No, I never got stuck, but those tires are terrible in the snow.

[MSR7878]

Yesterday in CT we got a really bad storm rain-ice-snow. Just like I do everyday I drove my 2003 300A home on OEM BFGs (58miles) up RT9 which is not flat. I had no trouble, not that it was easy nor am I special, however I believe that anyone can drive on snow if they give themselves space etc. I find my marauder to be as good or better in snow than previous FWD vehicles I have owned (94 Merc topaz, 95 Mazda MX-6, 99 Mitsu Mirage), I will concede if you get stopped while pointed up on Ice you are screwed, but I am confident My MM will go anywhere a FWD vehicle can get, all other things equal. Or maybe I'm just lucky.

[ADE 1000]

The MM is "drivable" in the snow with the stock BFGs, but I would not recommend it. I did this my first winter with the car. Although I never got stuck, I hated sweating bullets all winter. The snow tires were a great investment for the added security and for keeping my stock rims out of the salt.

I went with the Pirelli Scorpion Ice & Snow in 215/65-16 front and 225/70-16 rear. Overall, I am very happy with these. They might not be as good as Blizzak WS-50s in the snow, but they are an order of magnitude better than the stock BFGs. The biggest advantage of the Pirellis is that they are extremely quiet and offer excellent dry road handling for a snow tire. They also wear very slowly.

[Marc]

Just like the saying goes, "Tires wins races." so goes the snow tire question. I'm running the 16" Michelin Arctic Alpines everyone has talked about. One of the positives is that they're not as wide as the BFG's so you don't get the "snow plow" effect up front.

I ran one winter with the OEM's and the last 2 with these and the difference between them are amazing. I feel comfortable up to 3 inches of snow on untreated roads but have been out there with as much 6 inches of snow and it handled great while lots of other cars were pulled off to the side.

Don't confuse it with the guys blowing by you in a Jeep, but you'll get where you need to be.

[Shaft333]

Everyone, particularly ADE...

You are concerning me... How many snowy days do you have the snow shoes on your car for? Do you buy new ones every year?

In Chicago we had about 5 or 6 days where most of my commute (17miles) is on snow covered streets. I'm sure on those days I'd be thankful for having snow tires, but what about the rest of the winter? The wet roads wouldn't be as bad, but the many days of dry roads - well wouldn't they just wear the extra siping of the tires before the season is over?

I guess what I'm asking, is the expense of snow tires on steel rims (and having to store extra tires) practical over just having to suffer driving EXTRA careful a handful of days in the winter?

[Marc]

Everyone, particularly ADE...

You are concerning me... How many snowy days do you have the snow shoes on your car for? Do you buy new ones every year?

In Chicago we had about 5 or 6 days where most of my commute (17miles) is on snow covered streets. I'm sure on those days I'd be thankful for having snow tires, but what about the rest of the winter? The wet roads wouldn't be as bad, but the many days of dry roads - well wouldn't they just wear the extra siping of the tires before the season is over?

I guess what I'm asking, is the expense of snow tires on steel rims (and having to store extra tires) practical over just having to suffer driving EXTRA careful a handful of days in the winter?

We had a pretty mild winter in terms of the amount of snow fall this year, so there have been many days of driving on dry roads. The deal we got at the time from Discount Tire was 4 tires mounted on steel rims and delivered for something like $500.

Well worth it for a guy that lives in a town where there is no such thing as a flat, level road. I see you're in Chicago, so you may view it differently and you may be able to get by with the OEM's. Not possible in Pittsburgh.

[ADE 1000]

Everyone, particularly ADE...

You are concerning me... How many snowy days do you have the snow shoes on your car for? Do you buy new ones every year?

In Chicago we had about 5 or 6 days where most of my commute (17miles) is on snow covered streets. I'm sure on those days I'd be thankful for having snow tires, but what about the rest of the winter? The wet roads wouldn't be as bad, but the many days of dry roads - well wouldn't they just wear the extra siping of the tires before the season is over?

I guess what I'm asking, is the expense of snow tires on steel rims (and having to store extra tires) practical over just having to suffer driving EXTRA careful a handful of days in the winter?

Well, you know how much it snowed here this year. Not much in reality, but could you afford not having the ability to get around safely on those days? Whether or not you need to buy snow tires depends on your answer to this question.

I only have a 10 mile commute to work, but my Marauder is my only means of transport during the winter months. The Marauder with the stock tires is fine 80% of the time during the mild winters we have had lately. However, the $600 bucks I spent was well worth getting around safely during the few heavy snow falls we have had. Sure, you can tip toe through to the snow with the stock tires and you'll probably make it. But what if you need to avoid an accident in the snow? Take a look through old posts here and you will see accounts of people crunching metal and bending axles after mishaps with the stock tires. The $600 investment of the snow tires will seem mininal after you get into an accident. Remember, being "extra careful" cannot defy the laws of physics.

If you can afford staying off the roads when we have a heavy snow,don't bother with snow tires. But if not, I think they are a wise investment.

Don't worry about wear. I don't see any issues with getting at least 3 seasons out of a set of good snow tires depending on how much you drive.

[HwyCruiser]

My car is really terrible in the snow. Is this something common with these cars? Would putting on snow tires make much of a difference? If so, what would you guys recommend? Are there any snow tires that would fit our rims or would I have to buy new rims as well? Any advice or suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.

Here's a link to the 18" Blizzak's WS-50s on an 03' 300a (no tc):

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=14445

No problem with fitment or ABS lights. I haven't had the car in the snow at all this winter (just didn't have the heart to risk hit-by-others), but I've found them much better than the OEMs on wet / icy roads.

[QWK SVT]

My point is, that although some of this has a lot to do with people who obviously didn't know how to drive in the snow(and there are plenty of those around :rolleyes: ) I think that even with AWD, and FWD vehicles, there's still a need for snow tires. I see so many motorists on the snowy roads driving FWD, and AWD vehicles who seem to think they're invinceable even w/out having snow tires. But I've witnessed a number of them get stuck as well as having accidents
I see this, far too often. Big SUV flying down the road, well above the posted limit, in snow/icey conditions. People seem to forget that a 5500lb SUV CAN slide on ice, and when it does, it's 5500lb!!! Now mass takes over in this equation :rolleyes:

I've put snows on every vehicle I've ever driven in the winter-time. There's no way I'd would not. A few dollars for extra comfort, safety and no road rash to the nice wheels is well worth it.

IMO, AWD is far superior to FWD or RWD in the winter. As for the FWD vs. RWD debate... Yes, all things being equal, a RWD car will have more traction problems than a FWD car, from a dead stop, at least.

Having said that, which one do you feel more confident could pull out of a bad situation (e.g. sliding)? The RWD, where you can use the gas pedal to move and steer with the fronts (that are NOT spinning)? Or the FWD, where the front wheels spinning also removes the ability to steer? I'll take my RWD, any day of the week, thank you very much.

[rayjay]

My MM could not even get out of my driveway with out snowtires. You would have to see it to understand why. Anyway, Tirerack package using Firestone WinterForce tires has kept me going all winter. With the hours I work and the amount of snow we get, snow tires are an absolute must. Its March 10th, looks like January 10th and there is no end in sight.

[jabo731]

I live in Brooklyn, and whether you guys think the car does okay or not in the snow,My opinion is that you guys if you can should park your Marauders in a garage under the cover as I do. There are several reasons why 1. dont have to change tires. 2 dont have to worry about salt. 3 Most of all don't have to worry about some a**hole sliding into you.

[BillyGman]

I live in Brooklyn, and whether you guys think the car does okay or not in the snow,My opinion is that you guys if you can should park your Marauders in a garage under the cover as I do. There are several reasons why 1. dont have to change tires. 2 dont have to worry about salt. 3 Most of all don't have to worry about some a**hole sliding into you.Hey, i haven'y any argument with that being the ideal remedy. keep the Marauder inside all winter!!!! Unfortunately, some of us own merely one car, and we've chosen to own a Marauder. So guys in my situation haven't any choice but to drive in the snow. That's just the way it is for me. I can't see having a car loan payment, for a vehicle that's just for fair weather driving. Some people can handle that, but not me. Atleast not right now.

[Shaft333]

If I stowed the Marauder for nice days I'd may as well not own it at all.
It's got too many wheels to drive on nice cloudless summer days.