Drivin in a Winter Wonderland

[Chevyguy]

Well so far so good this winter. I had started a thread this summer about snow driving with a Mustang. Many for obvious reasons were rather negative about the outcome. But since my stang is a daily driver I had to make a stab.

I bought a set of Michelin Artic Alpin snows 215-65/15 on my set of 10 holes,(BTW NTB matched the tire rack price for the Michelins and I got them mounted and balanced for the Delivered price I got from Tire Rack) and got a good deal on a set of Pony rims for the spring. In the trunk went two 60# bags of tube sand $3.99 ea at Home Depot. Even with my worn out Trac Loc I have been pretty happy with my traction so far in the snow storms to date mostly 2 -4 inches, about 8" max. Plus in regular driving the Michelins feel about 95% as good as the BFG Touring TA VR-4's that were on the car, and no real noise increase. Snow driving with a Stick car is always easier as you can control the traction easier. I have driven in snow since I was 16 ( almost 20 years now ) so I know how to keep the car on the road, obviously you can wipe it out if you go too fast. Doughnuts are awesome, I can spin the car around while virtually keeping one front tire stationary.

Any more Snow Warriors out there???

[Mr 5 0]

I live in the northeast (CT) and I've owned my '90 LX since new and used as a full-time daily driver the entire time.

I cheat a lot by using the wife's FWD Mazda 626 in most snow conditions but I occasionally either get stuck out when it starts to snow or I choose to drive in it for some other reason, such as when only an inch or two are predicted or the Mazda simply isn't going to be available and I have to get to work.

As you noted, a T-5 equipped Mustang (like mine) is a lot easier to deal with in snow as you can start in second or third and shift up and down as needed.

I keep my regular tires on all winter which makes snow driving a lot harder, of course. Basically, I can go in a few inches of snow by starting in second and upshifting quickly, plus using a very light touch on the gas pedal. What I cannot do is drive up almost any kind of incline that has anysnow on it.

Some years back I had a job that required me to travel 40 miles each day so I bought and used some no-name (cheap) studded snow tires on the Mustang and it made a huge difference. I could drive in almost any depth of snow and could get up a reasonable incline without spinning the tires.

I don't bother with them now as we've had little snow here and I don't have to go very far when it does snow so my wife can drive me (in her Mazda) or I drive myself but if I find I'm having problems, the snow tires still are in good shape and I can have them installed in a 30 minutes if necessary.

I don't recommed a 5.0 Mustang for snow driving but, as you've proven, it can be done.