Snow officially sucks for 240s

[Yoshi]

Okay, so today my town went from no snow, to 1 foot on snow in 1 afternoon.  When I came to work in the early morning, it looked like a bright happy day. by noon there was a full blizzard and the highways were closed.  So my car is basically stuck in the gravel parking lot behind the building where I work.  

I tried moving the car out to get to a more covered parking spot (cuz I knew I'd have to leave it at least overnight).  This sux. I can't get my car home, and I don't know how I will!  I have brand new studded tires all around, but they don't help much.  

Does anyone have any tricks of the trade for dealing with that beeyotch jack frost?! &nbsp;Im really starting to hate that jerkoff <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':('> &nbsp;help! (if you couldn't tell, this is my first time in snow with my poor s13)

-Yoshi

[mistert]

go to tirerack.com or any local place and get a REAL set of snow tires that come on some 1-piece steel bobo's and hubcaps for a couple hundred. they'll make all the difference

[LanceS13]

hehe....it's like upper 60's here.:biggrin: &nbsp;Needless to say, I've never really dealt with any decent amount of snow, and from the sound of it, I hope I never have to.

[Yoshi]

MisterT
that's what I've got, I blew $450 on the best winter traction tires I could get, knowing my 240 would handle like crap in the snow :/

-Yoshi

[konkman]

I feel for you in the snow. &nbsp;Last year we had a dump in Vancouver. &nbsp;

Add extra weight to the trunk. &nbsp;I used 2 large sand bags. &nbsp;It will help plant your rear tires.

If you are stuck spinning your tires, try starting off in 2nd gear. &nbsp;Not the best for the trany, or clutch, but will get you going.

Hardcore Winter tires a good, getting some cable chains are the best.

I had to run my right rear tire along a curb to force my spinning tires up a steep hill. &nbsp;It worked, but I was aimed 45 degrees towards oncoming traffic the whole way.

Good Luck Man

[Arcane]

i'm in colorado right now...just came from san diego...so the snow is new to me too...the advice i got was the sandbag idea...but you know what??? &nbsp;that didn't help at all...they won't do much if the roads are iced over...anybody have any other ideas besides chains???

[chickenmanq]

1. &nbsp;Studded snow tires/walnut shell retreads, preferably studder.

2. &nbsp;Sand bags in back of trunk, over rear axle. &nbsp;225 pounds should do it. &nbsp;3 bags of traction sand, +or- a bag.

3. &nbsp;Shovel. &nbsp;I have never gotten stuck when I've had the shovel in the back. &nbsp;Small one, like army pick/shovel fold-away combo.

4. &nbsp;Chains or cables. &nbsp;Cables are for ice and decent paved roads. &nbsp;Chains are for more deep snow, and worse roads. &nbsp;You can use either one whenever, though.

5. &nbsp;Gloves, hat, blanket. &nbsp;Wool blanket, preferably. &nbsp;If you do get stuck in the snow, your car isn't insulated, and you'll freeze if you have to stay in it overnight.

6. &nbsp;Starting out, use third gear. &nbsp;You should have enough power to move forward, but not enough to spin the tires, resulting in perfect traction. &nbsp;2nd gear is okay, but has a lot of torque, and will make you slip.

7. &nbsp;Practice stopping in an icy parking lot. &nbsp;You'll have to learn to stay 3 or more car lengths away, unless you want some jerky hitting you from behind, and into the car in front of you, damaging the more important front end.

The reason I feel qualified is because I've driven through 6 seasons of ice and snow in Idaho and Flagstaff, and ran the tractor and 4 wheeler every year since I was 11. &nbsp;Every year I drive up to Idaho, from Flag, to go home for Christmas.

Every year, I yank people out of ditches, and out of parking lots with my 2wd truck. &nbsp;It's hilarious. <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'> &nbsp;&quot;I don't think you'll be able to pull me out.&quot; &nbsp;&quot;Yeah, shut up and get in your car.&quot; &nbsp;YAAAAAAANKKKK! &nbsp;Oh look, you're free!

[chickenmanq]

By the way, better than studded snow tires are the Blizzaks. &nbsp;They are worth the money. &nbsp;What causes you to loose traction on ice, is not the ice itself. &nbsp;It's the thin layer of water on top of the ice. &nbsp;The Blizzak rubber compound is hydroscopic (picks up water like a sponge), and will actually remove the water so you get traction on straight ice. &nbsp;The only downside is the rubber is EXTREMELY soft. &nbsp;Good for snow, but if you're going on lots of pavement with them, be prepared for quick wear-out.

It snowed here in Olympia, unexpected to say the least, there really isn't much more you can do other than chains, weight, or studded tires.

[Arcane]

chickenmanq...it's cool that you pull people out of ditches but that reminds me of something that happened here not too long ago (actually it was on the 25th of Nov)...a couple of people were driving down a main road and saw a car stuck in a ditch..they offered to help them out but the people in the other car declined...as they &quot;good samaritans&quot; were on the way back to their car...another on-coming vehicle hit two of them and one ended up dying...not saying this too scare you, &nbsp;just don't want to see anything bad happen while people are trying to help others out...be safe!!!

[Fuzzy Ewok]

My two roomies both have 4WD trucks... &nbsp;That's my master plan. &nbsp;Lower miles on the car, I don't have to worry about driving in bad weather, and I don't have to pay for gas! &nbsp;<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'>

But yeah, starting in a higher gear works nice, when coupled with a few sandbags and good tires. &nbsp;The advice about warm clothes, blankets, a shovel, and maybe even a bit of food and water is also something to seriously think about, no matter what vehicle you drive.

[bing]

we aint got snow yet, but i spun out turning right at an intersection tonite.

i got a huge sub in thw back so that beats sandbags,

i'll just have to be careful

[KoukiS14]

I got my S14 stuck on the side of the road (slid sideways into a snow bank)
3rd gear did it. . don't give it gas, just use idle speed. .
Also. . I slowly let the clutch out in 2nd gear, and the rear tires were turning.. I got out of the car, and pushed lol. . yes. . dumb. . but it worked =)

-Rob

[misnomer]

Go slow. When driving in snow there is nothing more important. Shovel and sandbags are also smart (and better than a sub), they'll weigh down the back and if you really get in a pinch you can drop the sand on the ground under your tires to give them a grip. Other than that, know how to countersteer and don't do anything stupid <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':p'>

[drifterx]

when turning, hold onto your ebrake.............
becareful with too much weight in the back cuz it is hard to stop.... just becareful and drive slow and keep like 5+ car lengths behind cuz it is very hard to stop.... becareful going downhill and uphill...........

i am scared of snow when i dont want it to come..... i live in MA.. so it is anyday now.........
hope to see u all here with your 240sx after this winter
good luck

hmmm won't sandbags cause more momentum?<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt='???'> and thats BAD especially in the snow/ice and slick conditions, right?

[burgy240]

I drove my baby in the snow all winter last year, *turn to my 240* (i know baby u won't have to do that again) and you just have to start slow and leave room to stop. &nbsp;barely let the clutch out and then tap the gas rather than holding down the accelerator. &nbsp;Oh yeah get and LSD! &nbsp;I got an 88 300z for this winter and she's gonna be so much fun in the snow. &nbsp;talk about drifting!!!! lol anyway, good luck

[konkman]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Quote: from Arcane on 6:31 pm on Nov. 28, 2001
i'm in colorado right now...just came from san diego...so the snow is new to me too...the advice i got was the sandbag idea...but you know what??? that didn't help at all...they won't do much if the roads are iced over...anybody have any other ideas besides chains???
</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>

Remember, the 240 was never intended to be a snow driven vehicle. &nbsp;Nothing is going to make this car good in the snow. &nbsp;It's a RWD sports car! &nbsp;But sandbags will slightly prevent rear tire spin, and help get the power to the ground. &nbsp;

Go slow, rev low, and be prepared to walk or just stay warm for the night (if stuck at night). &nbsp;240's and snow don't mix.

[Wheelspin91]

The only thing that works to drive your 240 in snow is a GOOD LSD, snow tires and clear thinking.

[konkman]

All my old Explorer needed was some idiot to turn the keys and go.

That thing went everywhere.