First time dealing with snow - advice?

[archsteve]

Here in New Orleans the most snow ever recorded hit yesterday - 11" at my home, and my new Supra is sitting under a blanket of it right now in my driveway. While its my daily driver, I have zero plans to drive it until the roads are completely clear of ice and any residual salt they might have scattered in random areas (we don't really salt the roads here locally since snow and ice are very rare).

My question is, other than carefully brushing off most of the snow currently piled on it, is there anything I should be doing prior to the temps climbing this weekend and letting the rest of the snow/ice melt naturally? Any tips welcome.

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[MisterSkiz]

11 inches, wow not sure you would be driving anywhere even with a truck unless its an emergency.

Don't use a snow brush on the paint - it will mess it up bad. I wouldn't even touch it if you can help it. If you must, just use your gloves/arm to brush some of the heavy snow off while leaving some snow on the paint to protect it.

I have heard of folks having issues with the windows freezing up during the auto up/down when door is open closed - so be on the lookout for that.

The melting snow will not hurt anything, it will be just like if you were caught in the rain.

If you can - I would wait for the roads to be clear and maybe a nice rain to wash all the salt off the road.

The OEM tires will be useless in the snow, so going up a hill will be problematic or starting from a stop you might just spin.

 

[Vertex]

Nothing other than what you already mentioned. I've got caught in a little snow with mine but I'm used to snow here every year.

Personally with that car being as new as it is and what not I also would not worry about any salt etc either. I'm sure you keep the car pretty clean and it really should never be an issue, especially with where you're located.

Just make sure no ice on the roads and if you have to you can definitely make it through a little bit of snow, an inch or so at most but I would not recommend anything more than about an inch. I'd just clean off the windshield so you can see and let the rest melt off on its own if you're worried about scratches and don't have anything to remove it that may scratch the car.

 

[splv]

Just don’t eat yellow snow, bro. It’s not Mountain Dew.

 

[puzzled]

Yeah, just let nature take its course. If it's warmer than 35F and sunny, you can hose it down to accelerate the melting.. maybe even wash it if you'd like.

 

[Thraxbert]

Dust it off the windows. Let mother nature melt the rest.

I spent most of my driving life in Michigan or Toronto and have driven through some serious shit, so that's my POV on what to do if you are absolutely forced to drive in the snow:

1. Whatever the speed limit is, cut it in half. More than half. Like, 30 MPH is probably your absolute limit and I'd probably do 15 on a side road.

2. If you're taking a turn, take your foot off the gas and just let the car roll through the turn. Going slow and steady is what gets you through the turn without sliding. Power to the rear wheels is what makes the car fishtail.

3. Everyone around you is going to be the dumbest human being alive. Triple your stopping distances. Avoid other traffic. Drive defensively and keep a wide bubble around your car. Try to prioritize right turns to reach your destination so you're not just rotting in a turn lane for someone to rear end you.

4. If it's more than about 5" of snowfall, just don't. This is higher than the underbody clearance for passenger vehicles.

5. If you're on a cloverleaf ramp, odds are good that you're just going to slide right off if you're doing more than 5mph. Seriously. Fwoop, right into the ditch (or wall) before you know it.

 

[razorlab]

Not one person is going to state not to drive in ANY AMOUNT of snow with summer tires?

Even if you drive super slow, it just takes one small slip or incline to ruin your day with summer tires in snow.

 

[Eplejus]

Living in a country where we have the "fortunate joy" of seeing minimum 20" of snow every winter seems obligatory, its all about good winter tires.

I don't drive my Supra during the winter season, and never will.
Salt creeps into everywhere and even aluminium corrodes when exposed to salt.
But if I where to drive it during winter, I would get a good set of winter tires.
Of all the winter tires I have tried in the last 20+ years, I would recommend the ones from Continental (Ultragrip) and Michelin (X-ice).
If you value your life, stay away from the cheapest of the cheap chinese made brands.

In deep snow, the rubber compound on winter tires actually grips the snow, while summer tires just glide on it.

I don't know how it works over in the US, but here in Norway we are required by law to use winter/all-season tires during the winter season. Prevents a lot of deaths and injuries.

Melting snow creates a lot of humidity, so I always fills up a bunch of socks with catsand and store them in open containers around in my garage and inside the car.
Sucks up a lot of moisture to prevent mold.

 

[razorlab]

I don't know how it works over in the US, but here in Norway we are required by law to use winter/all-season tires during the winter season. Prevents a lot of deaths and injuries.

Hahha that's funny. No such law here. I'm sure if they tried, Karen's would yell something about free speech, Aspergers, or something equally not factual or relevant.

 

[STV3]

Hahha that's funny. No such law here. I'm sure if they tried, Karen's would yell something about free speech, Aspergers, or something equally not factual or relevant.

Snow tires are cultural appropriation

 

[lucky phil]

I don't know how it works over in the US, but here in Norway we are required by law to use winter/all-season tires during the winter season. Prevents a lot of deaths and injuries.

That's the trouble with Norway, they haven't grasped the concept of Natural Selection.

Phil

 

[Eplejus]

That's the trouble with Norway, they haven't grasped the concept of Natural Selection.

Phil

We have a another solution for that. Death by depression for not seeing the sun rise during the winter season. Only the strong will survive.

 

[lucky phil]

We have a another solution for that. Death by depression for not seeing the sun rise during the winter season. Only the strong will survive.

The wife and I are actually quite into Scandi crime shows/series so I know what you mean.
Phil

 

[3TMagnetMan]

Here in New Orleans the most snow ever recorded hit yesterday - 11" at my home, and my new Supra is sitting under a blanket of it right now in my driveway. While its my daily driver, I have zero plans to drive it until the roads are completely clear of ice and any residual salt they might have scattered in random areas (we don't really salt the roads here locally since snow and ice are very rare).

My question is, other than carefully brushing off most of the snow currently piled on it, is there anything I should be doing prior to the temps climbing this weekend and letting the rest of the snow/ice melt naturally? Any tips welcome.

Get a FJ Cruiser with 37inch tires great in all conditions

 

[jchadwell]

Hahha that's funny. No such law here. I'm sure if they tried, Karen's would yell something about free speech, Aspergers, or something equally not factual or relevant.

It’s amazing how so many people think they just need a 4 wheel drive vehicle and they have winter covered. They just can’t grasp the concept that 4 wheel drive makes zero fucking difference when it’s time to turn or stop. No, for the vast majority of people 4 wheel drive is just a big waste of money. More money upfront to purchase, more weight, and worse gas mileage. Any 2 wheel drive with proper snow tires is so much better than a 4 wheel drive with all seasons.

I travel a lot for work and often have to drive through the mountains of WV and VA. I have dedicated wheel/snow tires for winter that I can swap on as needed. My DD is a front drive Chevy Malibu that will plow through a foot of snow on dedicated snow tires. I can’t count the number of times over the years I’ve driven past 4 wheel drive trucks stuck in the ditch or median.

The difference between all seasons and winter tires is similar to the difference between all seasons and Michelin Cup tires, the super 200 tires, or similar track tires.

Tires are a tool. We should use the correct tool for the job.

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