[coolvanilla]

We've had about 4 inches of snow so far north of Boston. I spent 15 minutes trying to get out of my brothers driveway and another 15 trying to get into my driveway. The plow had only been by once leaving about a 5 - 6 inch pile in front of my driveway. I pulled forward and tried to back in. No go. Then got stuck in the street, sliding all over. The C really seems poor in reverse in the snow. Finally got freed up and pulled in straight ahead. May be time for some snow tires!

 

[kg300C]

Snow bound in NY very dissapointed

Yo folks, so I am getting ready to leave my mother-in-laws, it is snowing, nothing crazy here on Long Island. There was a little hill I had to get up to get on the main road, a total no go. The stupid skid light kept popping up but nothing happended. Mean while a friggin ford taurus goes right up the hill with no problem. Very disappointed with the eps. I was pissed, get a friggin durango with a hemi, well maybe that mad. just wanted to share

 

[coolvanilla]

This is definitely NOT a good vehicle to be driving in the snow! It must have been the AWD version they showed in the videos on the frozen lake at the premier.

 

[Cdnhemi]

We've had about 4 inches of snow so far north of Boston. I spent 15 minutes trying to get out of my brothers driveway and another 15 trying to get into my driveway. The plow had only been by once leaving about a 5 - 6 inch pile in front of my driveway. I pulled forward and tried to back in. No go. Then got stuck in the street, sliding all over. The C really seems poor in reverse in the snow. Finally got freed up and pulled in straight ahead. May be time for some snow tires!

I've been driving in snow and ice for too many years to remember and I would like to clarify something. Snow tires are only for snow that is let say 4 or 5 inches, and more than that the car, especially this car that rides fairly low will probably start pushing the snow and then you will plugged up and nothing except a good shovel and some elbow grease will help you, now if you drive on snow and it gets packed down it forms ice and snow tires are a waste of money, so what you need now are ice tires, and I believe that studs were banned many years ago because of the damage they do to roads, so now you have a problem, what do you do, buy eight tires, 4 for snow and 4 for ice?

I came home last night in a blizzard on a major highway, and this car handled this scenario better than I ever expected. Trust me you don't need snow tires. If the plows block you driveway then get out and clear a path and go on your way. This is my .02 cents from a winter wonderland.

 

[coolvanilla]

I agree with what you're saying about the tires MikeyJohn but 5 inches of snow from a plow shouldn't be too tough to plow through at the foot of the driveway. It wasn't even that deep in the road and I had no traction. It disappointed me after all I heard about bad weather handling. Maybe I expected too much.

 

[Tha187um]

Snow? what is that? can anyone explain it in details to me? hehehe... I usually ignore all threats about snow, I've never seen snow I live in Miami... so no helpful tips here... sorry... good luck though...

 

[kcrnmale]

There was an earlier post about driving in the snow and everybody except me thought the car was splendid in the snow. I can't get up my slight incline driveway w/o shoveling. The car was not surefooted on the main roads either-constantly spinning the tires and fishtailing-nothing like the video by Chrysler. I will say it does snap back to center readily when I take my foot off the accelerator. My wife's Pacifica AWD is the snow king! I hate the snow!

 

[rdmac]

Its not great in the snow. Its not a dog either. Of course a front wheel drive car will be better. As I drove in the snow today I tried to put things in perspective in my head. The car did spin more than I would have expected compared to my last car which was front wheel drive. Than I remembered my old 1984 Chevy Caprice V8 coupe. Its better than that and I survived those days. I know, that is not the comparison to make but it made me put things in perspective. Rear wheel drive BMWs are terrible in the snow. We now have a rear wheel car with lots of power and have to deal with it.

Bob

 

[Nolmscheid]

I really wish we would get a big dumping here in MN. I have a hard time beleiving people are having a hard time driving in snow with the C. We had one day of Glare ice here in MN and I put the C to the test on curves, up hill, down hill, and I was amazed on how it kept it on track at all times.

I have driven in snow a lot and I have driven everything from a friends 2 wheel drive little pickup, front wheel drive, rear wheel drive, and 4x4's. I have never driven a vehicle that did not drive in the snow. I think its just the matter of learning how to drive it.

I was thinking....over 99% of police vehicles here in MN have been rear wheel drives for many many years. I rarely see a police vehicle on the side of the road because of two much snow. I have driven tiny light 2 wheel pickups that can make it through an amazing amount.

So...I can not wait for that big snowfall.....I think it will be fun. The ice test was fun in itself.

For those who got stuck in 4 inches of snow...did you try driving in 1st gear (autostick it down) to get out? 4 inches of snow is such a tiny amount of snow. I don't know of any 2 wheel drive tiny toyota pickup that can not get out of that. (rear wheel with no weight in the back)

 

[Cdnhemi]

Maybe I got a little carried away when I said 4-5 inches of snow, but I have been driving RWD vehicles in the 50's and 60's in the military and 70's to 90's with the police and I will put a RWD against a FWD any day of the week and this C is without a doubt the best snow and ice car I have ever driven and those of you that have not or will not have a chance to try it are really missing something(well maybe not that much LOL), and I suggest that anyone who feels uncomfortable, then take a winter driving course, you can't go wrong, and remember if you come across 3 or more feet of snow, it does not matter what kind of tires you have, you are not going anywhere so get out the shovel, snowmobile or dog sled.

 

[II kings 9:20]

We still have more than 100K without power since two days before Christmas from a massive storm that dumped ice on the snow. We have one family living with us and the other family has power restored, each family has 3 young children, needless to say it has been an interesting 5 days. The C does exceptionally well in the snow, not as good as the X5 but better than any RWD Bimmer. The self seal Contis seem to be very good, admittedly I waited until the big hill was cleared before going up. So far I am very impressed.

 

[limeyg]

Perhaps I should rent you guys out a team of my Siberien Huskies to hook up to the front of your C's for when the snow gets a little heavy.
They are full paw drive, traction control the works.

 

[coolvanilla]

For those who got stuck in 4 inches of snow...did you try driving in 1st gear (autostick it down) to get out? 4 inches of snow is such a tiny amount of snow. I don't know of any 2 wheel drive tiny toyota pickup that can not get out of that. (rear wheel with no weight in the back)

Tried 1st gear and every other gear. Tried drive/reverse and rocking it. Had to get the shovel out. This happened in an unplowed driveway of 4 - 5 inches of snow - level surface. Couldn't believe it. Also happened on the street in front of my house. I pulled forward to the curb to back into my driveway (level surface). Absolutlely no traction in reverse - slid sideways. Granted, the road was a little slick since it had been plowed and was packed.

 

[Nolmscheid]

Coolvanilla - I would get your car checked out. Getting stuck in 4 inches of snow is ridiculous no matter what you are driving!!

 

[II kings 9:20]

Tried 1st gear and every other gear. Tried drive/reverse and rocking it. Had to get the shovel out. This happened in an unplowed driveway of 4 - 5 inches of snow - level surface. Couldn't believe it. Also happened on the street in front of my house. I pulled forward to the curb to back into my driveway (level surface). Absolutlely no traction in reverse - slid sideways. Granted, the road was a little slick since it had been plowed and was packed.

Sounds like it's time for Blizzaks, did your TCS dash light flash?

 

[coolvanilla]

Sounds like it's time for Blizzaks, did your TCS dash light flash?

Yes, the TCS flashed (I thought it was the ESP)? The icon of the car with swervy skid marks was constantly flashing. It's going to the dealer tomorrow for a front brake problem - maybe they'll find something else?

 

[Nolmscheid]

Who knows Coolvanilla, they COULD find something else. It just seems VERY odd that you got stuck in that little of snow. As I said below I drove on Glare ice. I don't mean roads that were a little icy. Road that got rained on and froze, and was sleeting while I was driving and I went up some VERY steep hills in a small town (backroad) and I saw traction control kick in once. Then when I was trying to make it fish tail, it brough it straight RIGHT away. It would not let me flip it out. Keep in mind, this is a day we had 355 accidents just during morning rush hour (ones that were reported) My wife slid our Durango into a cement barrier scuffing the bumper...lots of people in ditches getting help from friends, that figure doesn't take into affect all of those cases. So with roads being as bad as they were..and me having NO problem, it is just VERY strange that you would get stuck in 4 inches of snow. I can ride my Mountain Bike in that much snow! (rear wheel drive hehe) 4" is a dusting here in MN

Maybe I will change my tune when I get a dumping here in MN, but like I have said. This car is suppose to be one of hte best rear wheel cars in the snow. I have driven so many rear wheel vehicles that can go through much more than 4".

 

[LWOOD]

We got about 2 inches yesterday and I was driving all around in slippery coonditions. I think judicious use of throttle and the ESP did really well. It was much better to drive than my Grand Marquis was. In fact, I am disappointed that even with ESP off, I couldn't do a full donut...The nannies kicked in and stopped my progress. I am pleased with the winter handling so far.

 

[300c Owner]

Last week we had approximately 10" of snow and for a rear wheel drive car it was acceptable. Most streets are cleared over night but most subdivisions take 12-24 hours. I previously owned a 1995 Impala SS which had similiar difficulties.

Winter driving in deep snow is all about momentum. You need to know when to disable the ESP to spin your way to some speed / momentum or the ESP will try to muscle it's way through the snow ... just doesn't work.

The ESP is fantastic on ice and slippery surfaces ... esspecially for the novice driver. With ESP off, it reacts like my 2005 Impala SS on ice ... All over the place.

 

[IndySilverC]

I had similar difficulties getting out of a driveway whose end had been partially blocked with 3-4 inches of plowed snow. I had similar problems on a slushy-snow-clogged street that had mini-ruts where other cars had trudged through.
Both times I had a problem, I was starting from a stop and my rear tires were crowded with snow. Once I dug out the rear tires a little bit, I was good to go.
I have not yet had a problem maintaining or quickly regaining control while the car is in motion, even when going up relatively steep snow-clogged hills. We traveled extensively over the Christmas holiday, so the car was put to the test many times, usually because of others that weren't taking the road conditions into account.