Odd Question about Northern Snow

[wildorchid053]

if your moving north the roads are plowed all the time and salted and sanded.. you won't get but maybe a couple of inches on a bad day on the roads.. any car will be fine on them. most of the time there is so much traffic on a road that they end up wet as if it had rained on them.. my son drives a tiny little dodge hatch back and has no problem.

 

[welsummerchicks]

I have lived in the snowiest region of the midwest besides Buffalo all my life, I drive an inexpensive subcompact very similar to the Aveo, and I LOVE IT. And I have always loved it and always driven a light subcompact. So do most of the people I know - all winter. No problems.

How a car deals with snow is far, far more dependent on the condition and type of tires, and the skill of the driver - I pass SUV's, trucks and Escalades that have spun out and are lying in a snow covered ditch all the time!

The main mistake people make is trying to drive in winter with worn tires.

But having a car in poor condition is just a mistake. Brakes that grab and lock up, broken defrosters, defective heater, these are all very poor ideas in snow country.

It's also very important, to be sure the car is nicely cleaned off, and on the coldest days, warmed up inside, so that when you start driving, the windows are not fogged up, obstructing your view. Rainx makes a really nice product for the inside of the windshield, and it takes about 30 seconds to put it on.

Rainx also makes a lovely windshield wiper fluid - yes! When you live up north, you really get so you love that sort of thing.

You also may need to change your antifreeze. Many southern cars don't use the right mix or type of antifreeze for northern areas.

Some people keep a set of tires, really nice snow tires in good condition, and have them put on in November.

Others, what they do, is just keep a nice set of mixed use, snow rated tires, on the car all the time.

It is also important how one drives. Making no sudden moves, having a very light, sympathetic hand on the steering, brake and gas, really helps.

It's also good to be able to 'rock that sucker'. This is just going from reverse to forward, with a very light touch, a few inches back and then forward, very, very patiently, over and over, to get the car out of a ditch, depression or icey hole. Works nice. I do so very much love to just sit there and 'toe-heel' and pop a car out of a bad parking spot, while people stand there and say it's not possible.

The naughtiest thing I ever did was get a set of Avon Rally tires, I would just ease along while all others were sliding and cursing. What a joy those were. I also used to get Hakkapulitta rally tires, but that was for racing on a frozen lake, LOL!!! Wheeeeeeeee!!!!!

There is nothing that is more beautiful than going on a drive on a snowy day with a bright blue sky and snow on the trees - so beautiful!

 

[Organics North]

Quote:
If she likes the Subaru she would LOVE the Audi Quattro. handles Rocky Mountain winters and roads better than the 4x4.

$$$.. Yes I had the opportunity to ride in one once... Spectacular vehicle indeed.!... Use Subaru's are expensive enough..

---------------------\\

Reading through the posts I realized that yes, up north we are prepared for snow we have snow plows, where as down south you are not prepared.. Yes anyone would get stuck in 25" of snow.. A up north driver would know to not try it...

People that have been raised in the north learn early on how to drive on snow and ice... As a teen we would ice race on a river.. What a blast! Knock on wood I have never lost total control of a vechical on ice or snow in some 30 winters of being behind the wheel.

Minus 28 F this morning in snow country..

ON

 

[woodmort]

We're on our 4th Legacy in 20 years--my wife will not let me buy anything else--latest one last spring. We keep them until we get over 100K then trade as they hold their value well. I always equip them with snow tires all around too. Never have a problem with ice or snow and the latest model is really a step up size-wise.

 

[acid_chipmunk]

Quote:
Where in PA are you looking at?

We do have snowplows here and they salt and pre-treat the roads very well. Well, the majority of the time anyway. I used to have a Chevy Cavalier and drove it in the snow, no problems. I have an SUV now, but that is only because I would never make it out of my driveway and lane in the winter without it (private and privately paved by my hubby). If you decide to sell it and get something else that is not 4WD, make sure it is front wheel drive, otherwise you will get stuck everywhere.