[DrewJ93]

Hey guys. I'm new to this forum community! My names Drew. I've been a die hard camaro guy since I saw my first one when I was younger. I'm planning on getting the 2016 camaro 2ss in the spring, and I plan to use it as a daily all year round driver car. I've never owned a muscle car before (extremely excited too), and im currently driving a cobalt ss supercharged (team chevy!). With regards to driving the camaros in winter and in snow, is there anything I should be aware of before hand? How easy is it to drive a rwd car in snow? Anyone have any bad experiences with camaro's and snow? I want to make sure I'm also investing something that will get me through winters. Any insight would be greatly appreciated. Thanks guys!

Drew

[ckaram]

You could search this subject at the Camaro5 forum, tons of debates and opinions.

Despite having the ability to have a different vehicle for winters, I choose to drive my SS year round.

The 5th gen is outstanding in the snow with winter tires. The tires are the key. Additionally, traction control and Stabilitrak are amazing to keep the car safe. Periodic washing to keep it clean will also be important. The 6th gen has a snow setting, which could provide even more improvement for winter driving.

As for driving in the snow common sense prevails. Going slower, braking earlier, looking out for other drivers--and all this applies to front wheel drive, AWD, and 4WD too.

Let the debate ensue. At the end of the day, it's a car. An amazing, ground-breaking, beautiful vehicle. But it's a car. They're built to be driven

[cartem2]

Agree with everything just stated, winter tires are a must if you live in the north at all, the 1st year I owened my 5th gen it got stuck going up a small incline with just a dusting of snow, got winter tires and no more issues.

[fastball]

I can't reiterate it more: get a quality set of winter tires.

I'm 38 and when I was a kid there were still regular cars that were rear wheel drive. My parents first front drive car was my Mom's 1988 Olds Delta 88. My stepdad kept his 1985 Regal until he bought his '96 Grand Prix then gave me the Regal fir my first car.

We all drive RWD cars through Cleveland winters. Never got stuck, never had an accident. Just drive for the conditions, leave plenty of room between you and the car in front of you, and don't gun it. You can also start out from a stop in 2nd gear. That helps keep you from breaking it loose.

I'll be driving my 2SS in winter as well! Not afraid at all.

[Dreng]

Iv driven about every type of vehicle on ice and snow with no issues. My advice use common sense and get some sand bags to throw I'm the trunk. The more weight on the drive axle the better. I picked up nylon bags of sand to keep the mess minmal. This does not make you invicible and you can't drive 60mph.

[jaymsu]

Originally Posted by fastball

I can't reiterate it more: get a quality set of winter tires.

https://youtu.be/GlYEMH10Z4s


If I have a choice between two vehicles to drive in snow/ice condition:
Front wheel drive with all season tires vs. Rear wheel drive with winter tires
I'll take rear wheel with winter tires.
It's not just about initial traction to start rolling - it's about the grip on front and rear: turns better, stops shorter.

My wife has been driving 3 different rear wheel drive cars for 9 years now, all with winter tires. She has no complaint. (In fact, I just swapped out the wheels/tires for her last night)

[01Camaro]

I don't have a 5 or 6th gen but my 2001 LS1 Z/28 6-speed manual worked great in 4-upstate, NY winters (think Syracuse area, im sure we get more snow than Ontario). The critical part was fresh dedicated winter tires each year and 80 pounds of wood pellets in the hatch. My Camaro worked better in the snow than my mother's cavalier with studded snows. After the winter, I just drove the tires bald and the next winter bought new. Cooper weather masters every year. I HAVE to assume that the 6th Gen will be better, as my Z28 had NO traction or stability control and certainly no winter driving mode.

[L&M CAMARO 6]

Snow Isn't the only hazard in the winter.
Think other drivers.
Road SALT.
I just park my summer wheels.

[SPCBA]

Winter tires do not mean all season. All season means three season or two season. I recommend buying a smaller set of wheels and putting good winter tires on it. You will only run into snow to car clearance issues with the right tires

[IntricateDetail]

Originally Posted by L&M CAMARO 6

Snow Isn't the only hazard in the winter.
Think other drivers.
Road SALT.
I just park my summer wheels.

Not everyone has that option, and even those that do, often are driving $1500 FWD junkers around all winter to do so. Do you really want to drive around a piece of junk while your $50k car with all the options and tech and creature comforts sits in a garage? Just one scenario of why one might choose to drive their new car year 'round.

I'm lucky enough to have a FWD daily driver already that I will put snow tires on, but not everyone has or wants that option. For some, especially if married, that means 3 or even 4 cars to make payments or pay insurance on, then there's the issue of where to park the car when it's not being used, etc. Both of my current vehicles are mine, so I will only have 1 payment, but not the case for everyone. I have a 2 car garage, but have a driveway that I could fit 4 cars in comfortably. When the Camaro goes away for the winter, the other car will occupy the driveway. When it's summer, the other car will occupy the curb so I don't have to move it each day to get my car out. Everyone's situation and priorities are different.

[fastball]

Originally Posted by Dreng

Iv driven about every type of vehicle on ice and snow with no issues. My advice use common sense and get some sand bags to throw I'm the trunk. The more weight on the drive axle the better. I picked up nylon bags of sand to keep the mess minmal. This does not make you invicible and you can't drive 60mph.

The nice thing about modern cars like the gen 6 Camaro is now weight distribution is near or at 50/50. In the older generations, especially 3rd gen and before, weight distribution was probably 70/30 in the front. The rear axle had nothing over it. So you will get better traction with the modern cars that they have more weight over them than the older ones even without putting extra weight in the back.

[fastball]

Originally Posted by SPCBA

Winter tires do not mean all season. All season means three season or two season. I recommend buying a smaller set of wheels and putting good winter tires on it. You will only run into snow to car clearance issues with the right tires

I'm not sure smaller wheels are an option on the SS or any Camaro with the Brembo brake package. I think you have to have the stock wheel size to fit over the calipers.

[IntricateDetail]

Originally Posted by fastball

I'm not sure smaller wheels are an option on the SS or any Camaro with the Brembo brake package. I think you have to have the stock wheel size to fit over the calipers.

Are you sure about that? I get that the Brembos are large...but are they really that much larger than say, Akebono 4 pots? We run all kinds of 18's on those and they clear just fine. I can't imagine you would really HAVE to run 20" wheels. I know the 6 pots are supposedly thinner than the 4 pot, so in theory, it shouldn't make too much of a difference for clearance, but what do I know? I just think the 20" wheel is a bit of an overkill just for clearance.

All this is speculation, not fact.

[IntricateDetail]

Not saying this is law...but as an example. This guy is running CTS-V 6 pot Brembos, on 19" wheels. Not sure I'm buying into needing 20" wheels for a 4 pot setup. I think you could probably find some 18's that will work, and definitely 19's. But I'm just going to let you all who pre-ordered figure it all out and sit back until spring. Lol

http://www.g8board.com/forums/showpo...04&postcount=6