Anyone drive all winter?

[mwillems]

Just got my GT Convertible. And since I live in Ottawa, I’m not going to drive it in the winter. That said, I’ve been told that some people do.

Is that right? Does anyone here drive a Rear Wheel Drive Mustang with a V8 engine in a snowy winter? In other words, is there anyone living in a climate like mine who drives their Mustang all year round?

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[ZXMustang]

I do. But I live in FL, so thats cheating lol. I came from the north west and had friends back in the day driving cobras with sand bags in the trunk and winter tires on all 4 wheels and they would say they went through the snow like 4x4's.

 

[mwillems]

I do. But I live in FL, so thats cheating lol. I came from the north west and had friends back in the day driving cobras with sand bags in the trunk and winter tires on all 4 wheels and they would say they went through the snow like 4x4's.

Well, at least there’s one thing we have in common. You have salty air; we have salty snowy streets.

 

[2024_Night_Mare]

Rear wheel drive V8s are no problem in the snow. I grew up in the Upper Penninsula of Michigan. As a kid, barely any of us had four wheel peel. Just have to have good tires and know how to feather the gas.

And now with every car coming with traction control it's even easier.

 

[flyingswall0w]

People saying it’s fine have never dailied an 03 V6 with an open differential. I had snow chains and still had to get towed off the side of the road more than once. It was the absolute worst POS in any sort of inclement weather lol

 

[ChitownStang]

I put on my 20” all-season setup and drive all winter in Chicago area.
I don’t have to drive in snow but love taking her out on a cold crisp day.
Couldn’t imagine not being able to have my therapy.

 

[71stang99]

I had a 5 speed 1995 GT eons ago when I was stationed at Elmendorf AK. It did ok but I only drove it after the roads were plowed and about 1/2 the winter It sat as I was TDY.

 

[GrabThatBlue]

It's my only car so I drive it all year round.

 

[Skye]

I store my Mustang through the Winter. But I did for a few years drive in another 2WD, rear-drive vehicle.

It's challenging. Depth of snow, amount of ice on the surface. Just getting out of a parking lot could be an issue. Virtually everyone in my area relies on AWD or 4WD vehicles. Most of us need something we can get into any time, any condition, knowing we'll make it to the other end. Those without can often stay at home until conditions improve, maybe catch a ride with someone else.

After a storm, cars left on the side of the road can be a mixed group. Some are 2WD, front or rear and never got traction. Others had poor tires or the incorrect tire type (Summer). Others still were teetering on a mechanical fail, the conditions and bad luck finally taking their toll.

PSA: For those new to these climates, look ahead. If an oil change or coolant replacement is due December, consider doing that early. If the battery is approaching five years of age, replace it now. If the tires are thin, swap those out while the weather is pleasant. Much easier to complete these tasks when the weather is good, vs. a Sunday morning below freezing.

 

[robvas]

This is how you get a Rustang

 

[D/\rK•650]

I used to live in northeast New Jersey and I use to drive my cars in winter all the time. I loved driving in the snow, to me it is very fun and I love the challenge. I've owned 2 trans ams and both were a blast to drive in snow. Once you do it a while it's second nature. My buddy and me were the only 2 nuts driving our rear wheel drive muscle cars in our small town. We had the time of our lives! I miss the snow back east alot. When they declared a state of emergency because of snow storms it became pretty interesting, all manor of vehicles came out of the woodwork.

 

[MMM981]

We've been driving Mustangs during our winters here in NE Ohio since 2015, first with a 2016 EB , now with a 25 GT.
Driving in cold temps with light snow hasn't been an issue, but the key is a separate set of rims with Blizzaks on them using the slippery drive mode to control the throttle..
Once the snow gets a bit deeper--+2"--we're using our AWD car.

 

[NegativeMultiplier]

I drove mine through this past winter, and only kept it in the garage on days when snow was excessive and became too much to clear.

Unconventional setup for it, but I bought a set of Michelin All-Seasons for the winter. Would have bought something like Alpins, but last Fall demonstrated a very wide fluctuation in temperature with multiple cold snaps per week, and I feared melting those if I was impatient or cracking the summer tires if I waited too long. Also, a lot of shops didn't seem to have 255-275/40r19 or anything that would fit within a reasonable margin.

When temperatures start approaching low 30s again, I'll switch over. But this is too good of a car to just let sit for 6 months.

 

[Dark Sprite]

Are you allowed to use ice tyres there with metal studs? I've not driven them on a Mustang (or other RWD) but the grip is awesome on an icy/compacted snowy road.

 

[mwillems]

Not in Ontario, not this part anyway.

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