Camaro in the snow

[Steve Dallas]

We are having a cold spell here in Washington State.

Last night, I drove up to my mom's house about 2 hours away in some pretty severe weather. It didn't snow last night during my drive, but as I arrived late in the evening, the temperature was hitting 32 degrees, and it was just starting to snow. No snow stuck overnight (in Anacortes, WA), but I had a bit of frozen water on the car to deal with in the morning.



The weather was clear this morning, so I asked if my mom (who is 75) if she wanted to go for an extended ride in the car. I headed from Anacortes to I5 and went north to Bellingham, intending to drive south on Chuckanut drive before heading back to Anacortes...about a 2 hour ride.

What I didn't know was that it had snowed about 1-3" in Bellingham overnight, and that snow had stuck.

I'm no novice to driving in the snow, and I had just gotten Continental Extreme DWS tires for the car about 2 months ago.

I have to say, the car does VERY well in the snow. For all those naysayers who say that this car can't handle the snow...you must not know how to drive in the snow. With the traction control on, I had no problems even when the road was layered with snow and no clear tracks.

I still plan on using my Impala here if we get major snow in Seattle, mainly because I'd be concerned with other drivers who don't know how to drive in the snow...no need to risk the car for other's stupidity.

[Mr. Wyndham]

Thanks for sharing that experience!

Camaro has nearly a perfect 50/50 weight balance, and that helps with traction under acceleration and deceleration. And the TC system is second to none. But I firmly believe it's really the tires that make the car as far as snow goes. FWD, AWD, or RWD...if you don't have the right tires, you're screwed.

[mikeSS]

ya tires are a big help

[Kurushio]

You had tires that were made for some snow lol. The Summer tires im sure would not have been as uneventful im sure.

[Steve Dallas]

Originally Posted by Kurushio

You had tires that were made for some snow lol. The Summer tires im sure would not have been as uneventful im sure.

Yeah, I'm sure they did help. They weren't the Pirelli Scorpion Snow & Ice tires though, and the Continentals are "All Weather". Treads seem more rain-oriented.

Still, I think that driving in the snow also requires a gentle touch on the accelerator...driving smoothly and knowing the conditions make a pretty big difference.

I did rely on the ABS coming to a stop once, going slightly downhill and in packed snow when coming to a stop light. I probably could have braked normally, but wanted to see how the ABS did.

[Kurushio]

I drove in snow for a few years with my 95 Camaro and as long as i didnt have to stop it was ok. But i made sure that if i was in traffic and there was a hill i would stay at the crest of the hill before if i could to get some momentum.

The worst is the driveway since one day it had snowed like 8in overnight and basically i just kept back up and going forward and then getting out and shoveling over 100ft of driveway to get out lol.

Still even though i have a V6 id rather not subject it to snow, ice, and especially salt and dumb drivers lol. Especially since im only at 4K miles and still have summer tires on. Im hoping to fix my Jeep really soon but i hate driving it after being used to the camaro.

[heRS]

I'll stick with my 4x4 pickup for the snow, thanks. We get a wee bit more snow here in eastern WA than the Puget Sound gets. I've got the right tool for the job, makes sense to use it. I can drive in the snow, that's not the issue. I just want to protect my investment from the chemicals on the roads. It's good to know my Camaro could/would do well if I did have to drive it but unless I have to I'll chance the weather and idiots who do NOT know how to drive in the snow driving my trusty old untidy whitey pickup.
Chuckanut drive is awesome! I was raised up by Bellingham, used to love to go to Chuckanut Manor for their all you can eat crab night. We have relatives in Sedro Woolley so when we come over that way next summer lets meet up and take our IBM's for a drive up Chuckanut, hmm?

["prima"Donna]

My husband put the snow tires on the HWAY STR today, so I'm ready...made it through last winter ok with the snows on...

Just gotta be careful, and watch out for the other idiots on the road that think they can drive the same speed in the snow as when the roads are dry and the sun is shining...

[goshawk823]

I bought the Yokohama Parada Spec X from Tire Rack and will be getting them mounted/installed this week. I've noticed the difference in the mornings with the temps in the low 30s with the Pirelli summer tires.

We're supposed to get below freezing weather starting next weekend and I'm looking forward to having the all season tires on the car.

Not sure what I'm going to do with the Pirellis yet...

[Steve Dallas]

Originally Posted by goshawk823

I bought the Yokohama Parada Spec X from Tire Rack and will be getting them mounted/installed this week. I've noticed the difference in the mornings with the temps in the low 30s with the Pirelli summer tires.

We're supposed to get below freezing weather starting next weekend and I'm looking forward to having the all season tires on the car.

Not sure what I'm going to do with the Pirellis yet...

Last year, when it was in the 20's here, the Pirelli's would be frozen with a flat spot overnight until you drive it for about 3-4 minutes.

I was parking outside in covered parking though at that time. I've since moved and have a garage now.

The all-weather tires I got are on my original rims, of which the front right is a little dinged up. I've bought another set of rims & Pirelli's that I'll be using next spring/summer/fall.

[Redskinfan72]

Here in Western PA we get a ton of snow...it is common for us to have snowfall amounts of 24 - 36 inches per storm!...I have a 4x4 for the winter and the Camaro will stay in the garage...

[goshawk823]

Originally Posted by Steve Dallas

Last year, when it was in the 20's here, the Pirelli's would be frozen with a flat spot overnight until you drive it for about 3-4 minutes.

I was parking outside in covered parking though at that time. I've since moved and have a garage now.

The all-weather tires I got are on my original rims, of which the front right is a little dinged up. I've bought another set of rims & Pirelli's that I'll be using next spring/summer/fall.

Mine's garaged, and at work we have a covered deck, so the only abuse it takes is the ride to and from..

I've been debating getting a second set of wheels, but I'm not willing to spend that money right now. Beside, my tire guy will store my Pirellis for me.

Been meaning to tell you; love the avatar. Bloom County and Berke Breathed rock....best comic strip ever written/drawn, hands down.

[Iroczlover]

its snowing here, now south of seattle lol

[My 5th]

We got about 12" here last night. I thought, Oh boy! Here's my chance to try out my new Scorpion Ice & Snow tires. The tires are great, the problem is the front GFX splitter. My Xa coilovers lowered my car about 1.5 inches, and that makes the splitter a snow plow blade. When plows shove snow to the side it makes big clumps of snow that are higher than my splitter, so I end up with snow packed in the bottom of my radiator, and there's no holes in the bottom of the GFX, so that snow stays there. Worse, I'm afraid I may hit some really big, hard piles of snow that could rip the front splitter off altogether.