SRT-8 + snow/ice = I want my mommy!!!

[tbyrne]

My favorite local weatherman is usually right when he predicts storms so I took his word that it wasn't going to start snowing until 3-4PM today. I had an appointment at 12:30 so I figured I'd take my SRT-8 into work and then after the appointment swing by my house so put that away and pick up the truck before it started snowing. Well, I went to leave at 12:10 and found that it was snowing pretty good. Hum... seems like he was wrong this time. The shop is kind of in the middle of nowhere so I had about 10 miles of untreated back country roads to drive on before I got to any of the main roads. I turned off the ESP and hung the back of the car out while leaving the driveway. Yeah, that was fun! Cruised sideways for about 1/8 of a mile up the road. There was nobody around so that was fun too! It was time to do some normal driving. At that point I found that it couldn't be done.

The turned the ESP back on and found that the road was extremely slippery. Power was reduced to almost nothing to try to keep the tires from spinning. So besides working the throttle, I also keep turning the ESP on and off to get some power to move the car. Either way, any throttle input would break the tires lose and bring the back of the car out. It did this over and over and over. Actually took me about 3/4 of a mile to get enough momentum to reach 25-30 MPH. The ESP did a good job of keep the car straight when needed but the roads were just to slippery to be driving this car. Everytime the back drifted out towards a pole I kept thinking "limited production car, it might take awhile to replace". I did what I had to, made it home later and life was much better after I got behind the wheel of my 4WD Sierra.

For you guys and girls that use these year round, be VERY careful out there! We want to keep you and the cars around for awhile.

[NautcaSprt6]

Originally Posted by tbyrne

My favorite local weatherman is usually right when he predicts storms so I took his word that it wasn't going to start snowing until 3-4PM today. I had an appointment at 12:30 so I figured I'd take my SRT-8 into work and then after the appointment swing by my house so put that away and pick up the truck before it started snowing. Well, I went to leave at 12:10 and found that it was snowing pretty good. Hum... seems like he was wrong this time. The shop is kind of in the middle of nowhere so I had about 10 miles of untreated back country roads to drive on before I got to any of the main roads. I turned off the EPS and hung the back of the car out while leaving the driveway. Yeah, that was fun! Cruised sideways for about 1/8 of a mile up the road. There was nobody around so that was fun too! It was time to do some normal driving. At that point I found that it couldn't be done.

The turned the ESP back on and found that the road was extremely slippery. Power was reduced to almost nothing to try to keep the tires from spinning. So besides working the throttle, I also keep turning the ESP on and off to get some power to move the car. Either way, any throttle input would break the tires lose and bring the back of the car out. It did this over and over and over. Actually took me about 3/4 of a mile to get enough momentum to reach 25-30 MPH. The ESP did a good job of keep the car straight when needed but the roads were just to slippery to be driving this car. Everytime the back drifted out towards a pole I kept thinking "limited production car, it might take awhile to replace". I did what I had to, made it home later and life was much better after I got behind the wheel of my 4WD Sierra.

For you guys and girls that use these year round, be VERY careful out there! We want to keep you and the cars around for awhile.

I know I dont have a SRT8, but your not alone.
My car acts the same as yours.
Ive had a very bad experience about a couple weeks back, you might of read it.
Anyway, the good thing is your safe along with your 8.

[Irwin]

I agree. I have a long extremely steep drive way and when the snow turns icy I can't even make it to the street in my 5.7. It wants to go sideways. I used to have a 93 Dodge 1500 pickup 2 wd with no traction control and it went up and down my driveway 1000 times better than my 300. Go figure? Guess the GY Wrangler tires did the trick. Also I didn't need weight in the back.

[Voice of Reason]

...and that's about the time I ordered my snow tires. Once on the F1s was enough...

I feel your pain, holmes....lol

[Yeravener]

I know the conditions in both states in the winter...used to ride my dirt bikes in the snow when the cops couldn't catch us because the plows hadn't come out yet.....

Did you (non-SRT) folks get the AWD version of the C? Just curious to see if it handles the inclement weather better.

[RobertV]

I know you had some chrome TSW wheels with sport contacts on her, but I guess you never did snows?
I have found the beast to be OK in the mess we had/have here in the NE. Not that I would take it out over the wife's Sequoia, but it is my daily driver and will never be a garage queen

[bling300c]

first mistake - listen to the weatherman
second mistake - listening to the weatherman

[Julio]

Two words: snow tires. My C drives as good as my wifes Grand Cherokee AWD in the snow and ice.

[tbyrne]

The TSW wheels with Sport Contacts were on my 300C. I traded that car in for the SRT-8 and those wheels/tires are shipping out to their new owner today.

I usually don't drive any of my cars in the snow unless I take them out to play. Times like yesterday reminded me to appreciate 4 wheel drive. It also reminded me to not expect people driving cars to just be able to do move right along when the road conditions are bad. I bought my first truck in '97 so for the last 9 winters I've been able to get through mostly anything. Yesterday was a wake up call. I wouldn't want to do that everyday!

[michsrt8]

Originally Posted by tbyrne

The TSW wheels with Sport Contacts were on my 300C. I traded that car in for the SRT-8 and those wheels/tires are shipping out to their new owner today.

I usually don't drive any of my cars in the snow unless I take them out to play. Times like yesterday reminded me to appreciate 4 wheel drive. It also reminded me to not expect people driving cars to just be able to do move right along when the road conditions are bad. I bought my first truck in '97 so for the last 9 winters I've been able to get through mostly anything. Yesterday was a wake up call. I wouldn't want to do that everyday!

Question...which tire do you have? I have RS-A's and they are fine in the snow and ice. A little squirrely at time, but totally manageable.

MichSRT8