Advice for Driving in Snow? - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

tritus · 01-06-2015, 10:59 AM

Today was my first day taking the Camaro out in snow. This is my first Camaro and also my DD. I recently got lucky and found a used set of Scorpions on CL so I am currently running on those. I had no problems in 3-4 inches today with careful driving. I am wondering if anybody else is driving their car in snow and could give me some advice. I have a friend who drives a Mustang GT and he keeps sand bags in his car for more traction but he is also running on all season tires. Any advice would be appreciated! Thanks!

Inferno2SS · 01-06-2015, 11:11 AM

My best advice is take the bus. joking

JR 1 · 01-06-2015, 11:11 AM

I drove mine through two winters and I never had any issues after I put on winter tires. I used to put weight in the trunk of a 71 Cutlass I used to have because it was beyond awful in the snow, but I never felt the need to put any weight in the Camaro. All that is needed is good tires and good judgement and it sounds like you already have both.

ssrs2lt · 01-06-2015, 11:13 AM

And keep a shovel with salt just in case.. These are great cars 2 winters no issues

NC_Nole · 01-06-2015, 11:20 AM

Drive smoothly.
No abrupt starting or stopping.
Allow extra room and plan ahead.
Try not to get stopped on a hill.

xc_SS/RS · 01-06-2015, 11:22 AM

First time this morning for me in the snow with my Camaro. No issues besides everyone else was holding me up but I did not mind. Just take it slow, leave space, and if you need it put some weight in the trunk for a little more traction. Keeping a shovel is a good idea as well. I had one and it saved a coworker in his BMW this morning.

Snow tires are the best thing to get. Saw a Mercedes start fish tailing down a hill in front of me. Scary to watch that unfold.

Scalded Dog · 01-06-2015, 11:38 AM

Traction control is your friend, MOST of the time. If you do happen to get into a jam, you can turn the traction control off, in order to spin the tires and "burn" down to clear out a patch of pavement. If you can clear a few feet of pavement off, use that as a "launch pad," in order to resume forward momentum.... once moving, turn traction control back on.

Traction control (whether automatic, as in modern vehicles, or with mad driver skills!) is the magic behind good snow driving... lots of people just mash the accelerator pedal to the floor (even with chains or cables installed.... comedy gold!), but ANY loss of traction (like that of spinning tires) will reduce the ability to control motion: forward, backwards, side to side, or even for stopping. A gentle touch on the accelerator, so that your tires are moving at a speed that does not break any traction will give you maximum possible control and movement.

Scalded Dog · 01-06-2015, 11:43 AM

Oh, and practice in a parking lot: Find one with some snow or ice on it, and enjoy the hell out of rear wheel drive. Turn the traction control off for the most fun, but use the parking lot as a laboratory to learn exactly how to handle the thing under slippery conditions. Sometimes, while having that fun, you'll even get an audience... who doesn't get a kick out of watching a Camaro driving sideways, powersliding, spinning slow motion donuts, and generally having more fun than is legal in most states?

gMcizzLe · 01-06-2015, 11:57 AM

Snow tires are essential. Saw 2-3 camaros on the side of the highway this morning, most likely still running on oem PZeros. And this is with only an inch or two of snow.

JR 1 · 01-06-2015, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gMcizzLe

Snow tires are essential. Saw 2-3 camaros on the side of the highway this morning, most likely still running on oem PZeros. And this is with only an inch or two of snow.

That's the truth. I honestly can't believe dealers let people drive off the lot in winter on the P zero tires. I think it's odd that they want to castrate our key fobs because they are so dangerous, but turning you loose on snowy roads on P Zerotraction tires is apparently not an issue.

chris jd · 01-06-2015, 12:52 PM

Good set of snow tires (check).
Sand bags or weight in trunk for more traction for sure.
Since Camaro has a lot of rear end torque, I recommend starting on second gear from a stop so that you do not spin out.
No quick corners/stopping/accelerating/aggressive maneuvering (snow tires stop very well in straight lines).
Keep shovel in trunk, even with the best snow tires, the clearance on the Camaro is very small so even a small pile of snow in front of you in a parking spot and the bumper becomes a snow plow.
Also be sure to take the car to a parking lot to test its limits as far as traction goes so you can understand how it will operate.

I run 4 Goodyear WRTs with 120lb of sand in the trunk and drive my Camaro in Upstate NY snow and ice and have been doing great so far. The only problem I run into is icy hills, so avoid those if possible.

I hope this helps OP!

LOBBS · 01-06-2015, 12:55 PM

Snow tires if you live in an area with constant snow cover or good all-seasons if you only see sporadic bouts. Give yourself plenty of room to maneuver, start and stop. No sudden changes in throttle, braking or steering. Point your wheels the direction you want to go if you lose the rear. Be aware not only of what you are doing but also what the drivers around you are doing. Always try to stay moving on an incline. Even 1 or 2 mph may keep you from sinking in and getting stuck.

Bizaro · 01-06-2015, 01:07 PM

YEAH I GOT SOME ADVICE FOR DRIVING IN SNOW- DONT

Ace0751 · 01-06-2015, 01:20 PM

If you want some real practice come up here. We have the lake effect snow which is the large wet flakes.

01-06-2015, 10:59 AM	#1
tritus Drives: RIP Camaro/ 6g Mustang GT/Hellcat Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Columbus Ohio Posts: 228	Advice for Driving in Snow? Today was my first day taking the Camaro out in snow. This is my first Camaro and also my DD. I recently got lucky and found a used set of Scorpions on CL so I am currently running on those. I had no problems in 3-4 inches today with careful driving. I am wondering if anybody else is driving their car in snow and could give me some advice. I have a friend who drives a Mustang GT and he keeps sand bags in his car for more traction but he is also running on all season tires. Any advice would be appreciated! Thanks!

01-06-2015, 11:13 AM	#4
ssrs2lt Drives: too many Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: oh va pa ma tx Posts: 3,046	And keep a shovel with salt just in case.. These are great cars 2 winters no issues __________________

01-06-2015, 11:22 AM	#6
xc_SS/RS Drives: 2010 Camaro SS/RS Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: somewhere in MD Posts: 4,883	First time this morning for me in the snow with my Camaro. No issues besides everyone else was holding me up but I did not mind. Just take it slow, leave space, and if you need it put some weight in the trunk for a little more traction. Keeping a shovel is a good idea as well. I had one and it saved a coworker in his BMW this morning. Snow tires are the best thing to get. Saw a Mercedes start fish tailing down a hill in front of me. Scary to watch that unfold. __________________ 2010 2SS/RS Z/28 intake, NW, FAST 102, speed engineering LT's, some exhaust, ATI -10% pulley, GM flex fuel injectors, DSX flex fuel sensor, MGW shifter, HP Tuners, some suspension work, stickers and a little weight loss. 12.63 @113.53

01-06-2015, 11:57 AM	#9
gMcizzLe Drives: 2014 2SS RS LS3 Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Maryland Posts: 66	Snow tires are essential. Saw 2-3 camaros on the side of the highway this morning, most likely still running on oem PZeros. And this is with only an inch or two of snow. __________________ 2014 2SS Black/IOM --- RS -- NPP -- Short Throw Shifter -- Sunroof -- Nav Mods: CAI Inc. CAI Elite Engineering Catch Can

01-06-2015, 12:52 PM	#11
chris jd chris jd Drives: 2014 Camaro 1LT w/ RS - 6 Speed Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: New York Posts: 89 View My Garage	Good set of snow tires (check). Sand bags or weight in trunk for more traction for sure. Since Camaro has a lot of rear end torque, I recommend starting on second gear from a stop so that you do not spin out. No quick corners/stopping/accelerating/aggressive maneuvering (snow tires stop very well in straight lines). Keep shovel in trunk, even with the best snow tires, the clearance on the Camaro is very small so even a small pile of snow in front of you in a parking spot and the bumper becomes a snow plow. Also be sure to take the car to a parking lot to test its limits as far as traction goes so you can understand how it will operate. I run 4 Goodyear WRTs with 120lb of sand in the trunk and drive my Camaro in Upstate NY snow and ice and have been doing great so far. The only problem I run into is icy hills, so avoid those if possible. I hope this helps OP! __________________ Keep calm and drive a Camaro. 2014 1LT M6 w/ RS

01-06-2015, 11:11 AM	#2
Inferno2SS Drives: 2010 IOM 2SS/RS Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Westminster, CO Posts: 797 View My Garage	My best advice is take the bus. joking

01-06-2015, 11:11 AM	#3
JR 1 Drives: 2014 2SS/RS Convertible Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Lake Orion, MI Posts: 1,247	I drove mine through two winters and I never had any issues after I put on winter tires. I used to put weight in the trunk of a 71 Cutlass I used to have because it was beyond awful in the snow, but I never felt the need to put any weight in the Camaro. All that is needed is good tires and good judgement and it sounds like you already have both.

01-06-2015, 11:20 AM	#5
NC_Nole Drives: 2011 2SS/RS A6 Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Norrh Carolina Posts: 211	Drive smoothly. No abrupt starting or stopping. Allow extra room and plan ahead. Try not to get stopped on a hill.

01-06-2015, 11:38 AM	#7
Scalded Dog Drives: 2011 1LT Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Crestline, CA Posts: 3,029	Traction control is your friend, MOST of the time. If you do happen to get into a jam, you can turn the traction control off, in order to spin the tires and "burn" down to clear out a patch of pavement. If you can clear a few feet of pavement off, use that as a "launch pad," in order to resume forward momentum.... once moving, turn traction control back on. Traction control (whether automatic, as in modern vehicles, or with mad driver skills!) is the magic behind good snow driving... lots of people just mash the accelerator pedal to the floor (even with chains or cables installed.... comedy gold!), but ANY loss of traction (like that of spinning tires) will reduce the ability to control motion: forward, backwards, side to side, or even for stopping. A gentle touch on the accelerator, so that your tires are moving at a speed that does not break any traction will give you maximum possible control and movement.

01-06-2015, 11:43 AM	#8
Scalded Dog Drives: 2011 1LT Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Crestline, CA Posts: 3,029	Oh, and practice in a parking lot: Find one with some snow or ice on it, and enjoy the hell out of rear wheel drive. Turn the traction control off for the most fun, but use the parking lot as a laboratory to learn exactly how to handle the thing under slippery conditions. Sometimes, while having that fun, you'll even get an audience... who doesn't get a kick out of watching a Camaro driving sideways, powersliding, spinning slow motion donuts, and generally having more fun than is legal in most states?

01-06-2015, 12:55 PM	#12
LOBBS Drives: 2010 Camaro 2SS/RS Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Independence, MO Posts: 472 View My Garage	Snow tires if you live in an area with constant snow cover or good all-seasons if you only see sporadic bouts. Give yourself plenty of room to maneuver, start and stop. No sudden changes in throttle, braking or steering. Point your wheels the direction you want to go if you lose the rear. Be aware not only of what you are doing but also what the drivers around you are doing. Always try to stay moving on an incline. Even 1 or 2 mph may keep you from sinking in and getting stuck.

01-06-2015, 01:07 PM	#13
Bizaro Account Suspended Drives: 2015 Redhot 1LE Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Westchester NY Posts: 1,409	YEAH I GOT SOME ADVICE FOR DRIVING IN SNOW- DONT

01-06-2015, 01:20 PM	#14
Ace0751 GEN5 Detail Drives: 2011 Synergy Series 2SS Convertible Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Northeast, OH Posts: 1,986	If you want some real practice come up here. We have the lake effect snow which is the large wet flakes.