The "Sonic in the snow" MASTER thread

[TheFallenAngel12]

4th snow storm of January!!!

Got a Ton of Snow here in my town. We've been getting blasted left and right. this snow storm dropped a ton of snow and lots of wind so the drifts were rediculous. The pictures show just how deep the snow was when i finally made it to my house after work yesterday. I have a decent incline to go up first thing when you pull in off the street. I got up and leveled out and just laid on the gas. Snow was so deep and thick i almost got stuck, the further i got into my driveway the slower the car got and the rpms dropped. but i got it thru and in.

The tire tracks give a good idea of how it was. Was deeper in person. camera didnt quite catch the depth too well. but gives you the best idea how it was for me. Parked by the garage and grabbed the snow blower and went at it. Got the main strip of driveway, sidewalks cleared out then went to do the rest of the back area and ran out of gas lol. I stopped after that as i was dead tired from work and doing that much. Had my area cleared out lol. I hate winter. But my sonic did very well in getting thru that mess i thought. Love the new tires i put on it.

 

[$ub$onic]

Ya my drive way is drifted badly.

Time to bust out the front end loader and dig it out

 

[Trevinator]

just got my sonic a couple days ago and just got the chance to see how it works in some light snow(about an inch). it still has the stock tires on it, and it did not like the snow at all! im buying some snow tires next weekend for the front of it, then hopefully it will be ok in the snow. im used to drifting the rear out in my truck to make turns in the snow, but the sonic is a totally different beast. the handbrake works ok to get it to rotate, as long as the stabilitrac is off, but I like to keep that on for the most part.

 

[$ub$onic]

My car makes a convenient snow plow

 

[mitdr774]

I clear the snow drifts on my street with mine. Leaves about a 3" thick layer of snow after I blow through the drift.

 

[Trevinator]

anyone have any insight as to putting on 2 snow tires on the front as opposed to 4 snows? I have heard bad things about only putting 2 on the front, is it really that bad?

 

[Palmaris]

anyone have any insight as to putting on 2 snow tires on the front as opposed to 4 snows? I have heard bad things about only putting 2 on the front, is it really that bad?

What they say, is that your rear end could end up as your front end pretty quick if you drive this way. Apparently it is really easy to spin, and worst of all, it would be without warning. I think you would have to be a VERY good driver to be able to get away with this.

p.s. Police in Ontario have reported 1600 collisions this weekend. This is in a climate where people should be used to this weather!

 

[Blue hedgehog]

Last week with about 6" on the ground and snow still coming down, I was on the highway doing about 40 mph. The front end felt pretty well planted but the rear was wandering. It reminded me of when my boat starts to chine walk.

 

[AdorableKaren]

My car makes a convenient snow plow

I'm jealous! All my sonic makes
is a great paper weight. Lol jk

 

[Kuntryboy865]

My car didn't do to bad in the snow on stock tires. slid a few times from a stop but over all not to bad.

 

[stever525]

I found that my sonic likes to rotate going around corners (with out the ebrake) It's kinda scary but fun at the same time.

 

[Blue hedgehog]

Here's why the stock tires work better when new compared to 18k miles.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/BigPi...013&autoModel=Sonic+Hatchback&autoModClar=LTZ

 

[Trevinator]

the tire rack reviews on the stockers are terrible. I can drive with them, but they don't have good traction in the snow. if there is snow on the ground, I think that the stability control helps to rotate the car around slight corners if your doing over 30 mph. I cant recall seeing the SC light flashing when I feel it rotate around this one particular corner, because I was focused on the road, but it feels like it under steers more into corners with the SC off. I'll have to experiment a little when we get some more snow to know for sure.

 

[3dskeet]

I flat out have to agree with the majority of folks here. The Hankooks are just absolutely dangerous to drive on in the snow and ice. Its an accident waiting to happen no matter how safe you drive with them. By far the worst I have had. Mine won't be on my Sonic next year. Winter is too far over now to change, but it may happen anyway.

 

[stever525]

I think that the stability control helps to rotate the car around slight corners if your doing over 30 mph. I cant recall seeing the SC light flashing when I feel it rotate around this one particular corner, because I was focused on the road, but it feels like it under steers more into corners with the SC off. I'll have to experiment a little when we get some more snow to know for sure.

I'm not sure about that. The light didn't come on till I was around the corner trying to straighten out. (with the steering wheel heading towards opposite lock)

 

[mitdr774]

Its an all season tire. Most all seasons start to loose it when the temps drop below 40ish and on the snow and ice. This should not be a shock to anyone here.

http://www.tirerack.com/videos/index.jsp?video=23

http://www.edmunds.com/car-reviews/features/tire-test-all-season-vs-snow-vs-summer.html

 

[Trevinator]

we just got hammered with snow here today and I was able to confirm that the stability control does help rotate the car ever so slightly. if you steer to the point where the car is pushing straight into a corner but the tires are turned, it feels like it applies the brake to the inside rear wheel to help rotate the car in the direction you want to go.

im still on the all seasons as winter is over in a couple weeks, but it handled the snow ok today. I didn't have anywhere near the grip I wanted for getting up hills or taking off from a stop, but that's to be expected in 4" of snow in a front wheel drive car with all season tires. I find the abs to be less intrusive than any other vehicle I have driven, it activates quickly, but very efficiently.

 

[pepler]

I've had my Sonic for almost a year now and I can indeed state with conviction that the stock Hankooks SUCK in snow. Seriously, these are the worst tires I've ever had in the modern tire era.

 

[KartRacer]

I will repeat my early statement. With proper winter driving procedures, I experience NO issues with the stock Tires.

 

[Quinton Exler]

Well Kentucky has had ice and snow for weeks now... up to 7" of snow and an inch of solid ice... no issues here on 20,000 mile stocks. Try driving a rwd side step ranger, fiber glass beds... good luck.

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