Argo

Ill take my big ass diesel 4x4 any day. I have yet to have any problem at all.

slyder

Maybe a bag of tracktion sand and salt. Again not sure you need this up there but it can't hurt to have it just in case.

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-Slyder

snowklinger

Sorry never meant to imply that big rigs are better in snow. I did mean to imply that my civic is as good a winter vehicle for most people as your pickup, and most people who were sold a pickup or suv on the premise that it IS a winter vehicle would be much less hazard to themselves and others if they were in something smaller and lighter with less power.

I understand what u guys are saying, and i'm not gonna fall into some sort of causation/statistics/wtfever argument. I'm just trying to make basic real world comments about basic real world observations....not every 15 year old with a drivers permit should be driving an escalade 70mph to the mountains in a blizzard is an extreme example. U guys in ur pickup trucks i got no issues with (any consciencious, experienced in the conditions, adult for that matter) unfortunately this only accounts for a small fraction of a ton of traffic. Your 16 yr old daughter or wife who usually drives a z4 now driving the truck to the mountains, yea thats an argument i'm trying to make.

The fact is that there are a shitload of tourists who never drive in these conditions on the i70 corridor in all sorts of unfit vehicles for the occasion, as well as straight up weekend warriors who have the pedal to the metal in their bigass suvs with no regard to actual driving nuances.

i'm sure there are "flaws" in my logic or something but comeon, you guys got to share some of my observations. if i'm just blind, hell i'm willing to try to look. hell i'm even willing to be wrong, i just think theres a validity to my point.

...and to be fair to my civic, it kicks ass but mostly because i have gotten used to alot of the routes through the mountains, knowing where and when to floor it and downshift makes a big difference, a 6 or 8% slope will slow you down alot more when you arent ready for it.


edit. and to the point of the OP, for someone visiting, who has experience driving their yaris, i would say they would be better off in their yaris with snowtires, rather than driving some other "winter" vehicle that they have no experience driving. The gradation of the slopes and weather are enough challenge as a visitor without adding a completely different, difficult to stop vehicle that you have no experience driving. The snow tires truly make all the difference, and in your own vehicle will put you right at home in a snowstorm.

skycdo

Also one thing to look at is how many of the cars that were driving off the road into the snow bank actually had snow tires on? Probably none of them. That stat hints to drivers' abilities to make smart decision. I'm not being specific about small passengers cars or trucks/SUVs. It can be either one. People who drive passenger cars think they can get away with normal tires since their cars are small and light and easy to maneuver, WRONG! People who drive 4x4 SUVs or trucks think that their all terrain/season tires and 4x4 will be good enough in the foot of snow on the ground, WRONG! It all comes down to the choices you make and understanding your limits.

snowklinger

word

snowklinger

qfft

10/char

davidj

Hahaha. My brother used to live in upstate NY near Niagara Falls. He had a Saab with snow tires, not the studded kind. One night after skiing he was driving back home. Lake effects were in full force. Snow was blowing horizontally - 40-50MPH crosswinds, almost whiteout condition, and this retard in a 4x4 4Runner was tailgating him. In the rear view mirror my brother could see every time the crosswinds would catch the SUV broadside and tilt the body - from the shift in the headlights. Anyway, he slowed down to the let the guy pass on this 2 lane road.

You know the rest of the story... not long after his tail lights disappeared into the dark, my bro came up on him, stuck in a drift well off the side of the road.

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Equal opportunity offender.

davidj

Will keep this in mind, Klinger .

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aiidoneus

Exactly, experience is the more important factor.

IMHO:

1. driver experience
2. 4 winter tires
3. vehicle

S4Shredr

To the OP:

1. Get 4 new snow tires. Like someone mentioned, a spare set of stealies with winters is the most convenient for swapping. NEVER do just the drive wheels, I spun out on a gradual highway corner because of this, fronts held, back slid = 360 and skid marks in my draws. Also studs, will be annoying on dry pavement. You'll want aggressive tires like winterforce's with FWD.
2. Get Chains just in case, they go on easy if you need them.
3. Make sure your wipers are in good condition and your washer fluid is full.
4. Find an empty, snowy, parking lot and do some brake tests, hard corners, etc. so you can see how easily your car will lose traction in the snow. Always leave plent of space from other vehicles.
5. Bring a Shovel and friends to push in case you get snowed in. If you cant get to the hill you will be pissed!!!

Be safe and have fun!

I took a couple road trips to CO from CT in my 94 jetta during college and all of them were a blast!