How capable are our 6th gen's in the winter?
12-24-2008, 10:02 AM
#26
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Re: How capable are our 6th gen's in the winter?
The original tires on my 06 LX were All-Season Bridgestone Turanza EL400 205/55/16 89H. After 50,000 km, they were almost worn out and started to slip on take-off, even on light rain.
Since winter was coming, I’ve replaced them with Toyo Observe G-02 Plus 195/65/15 91T, which are dedicated studless winter tires. The traction and handling of the Civic with these new tires is unbelievably good.
Over the past week, we’ve had over a foot of snow fall here in Toronto, with lots more on the way. Cars were stuck at almost every other intersection and driveway. Yet my car was able to drive just fine without any slipping when accelerating or breaking on layers of snow. The car stayed in control at all times since the tires grip the snow really well. I’ve slammed the breaks a few times in an empty road to see how the car would handle and thanks to the ABS it comes to a quick straight stop.
Although it is not a 4 wheel drive, its front wheel drive is still better than any rear wheel drive car for winter driving.
So from my experience, I would say the current Civic is a highly capable car for winter driving as long as you have good winter tires.
I could be wrong, but I think any car that's not lowered and has good winter tires, ABS, and FWD or 4WD should be fine for winter.
Since winter was coming, I’ve replaced them with Toyo Observe G-02 Plus 195/65/15 91T, which are dedicated studless winter tires. The traction and handling of the Civic with these new tires is unbelievably good.
Over the past week, we’ve had over a foot of snow fall here in Toronto, with lots more on the way. Cars were stuck at almost every other intersection and driveway. Yet my car was able to drive just fine without any slipping when accelerating or breaking on layers of snow. The car stayed in control at all times since the tires grip the snow really well. I’ve slammed the breaks a few times in an empty road to see how the car would handle and thanks to the ABS it comes to a quick straight stop.
Although it is not a 4 wheel drive, its front wheel drive is still better than any rear wheel drive car for winter driving.
So from my experience, I would say the current Civic is a highly capable car for winter driving as long as you have good winter tires.
I could be wrong, but I think any car that's not lowered and has good winter tires, ABS, and FWD or 4WD should be fine for winter.
12-24-2008, 11:28 AM
#27
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Updated review...
are MUCH better than our 1993 Grand Caravan with front-wheel drive and semi-worn snow tires.
The grip and pulling power feels close to 50% higher.
With new snow tires on the minivan,
the minivan would be eqaul or only slightly better.
The main advantages of the minivan are higher point-of-view,
(snow piles often block my view around corners in my Civic)
and higher ground clearance,
which mostly helps with getting in and out through deep snow.
12-25-2008, 02:13 PM
#28
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Re: How capable are our 6th gen's in the winter?
My gf has a 07 Si 4DR, We have OEM 16 steelies with Blizzak ws-60's and the car has gone everywhere in this NW winter storm and never even got close to getting stuck or felt unsafe..
We drive the car snowboarding to Mt Baker, Stevens etc 30+ times a year and haven't had any issues in the mtn's either...Never chained up yet.
Just this last week we drove in a blizzard 60 miles to stevens through deep snow (6-8) untracked through bothell, monroe, all the way up and felt very confident in the ride.
That was Thursday when the Seattle area got dumped on..
I have had studded tires too and they are great but are squirrelly driving on bare roads and suck when you have to break hard..
Most dedicated winter tires out perform studded tires according to the dealers.
Go get some snows and sell the Impreza.
We drive the car snowboarding to Mt Baker, Stevens etc 30+ times a year and haven't had any issues in the mtn's either...Never chained up yet.
Just this last week we drove in a blizzard 60 miles to stevens through deep snow (6-8) untracked through bothell, monroe, all the way up and felt very confident in the ride.
That was Thursday when the Seattle area got dumped on..
I have had studded tires too and they are great but are squirrelly driving on bare roads and suck when you have to break hard..
Most dedicated winter tires out perform studded tires according to the dealers.
Go get some snows and sell the Impreza.
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