Driving in snow HELP!!!!!!!!!!, going to Colorado Options

[Havok1997GT]

Hey guys i need some help from some of you Northern Celi owners. Me and Spacepanda are heading to Colorado on Jan 2nd till the 6th. We understand that we ARE going to run into snow. Since we arent going up there long we dont want to put snow tires on his Celi and we where wondering if we could get some input on how well the cars handle in the snow with chains. Hes got a bit of a drop on his car and we are not light people. So were a little worried about sliding around on the roads

So any input on the cars handling with chains in snow with a slit drop ( i believe its an Inch and a half drop) would help out a lot.

[97GTinKC]

Hey guys i need some help from some of you Northern Celi owners. Me and Spacepanda are heading to Colorado on Jan 2nd till the 6th. We understand that we ARE going to run into snow. Since we arent going up there long we dont want to put snow tires on his Celi and we where wondering if we could get some input on how well the cars handle in the snow with chains. Hes got a bit of a drop on his car and we are not light people. So were a little worried about sliding around on the roads

So any input on the cars handling with chains in snow with a slit drop ( i believe its an Inch and a half drop) would help out a lot.

Good all-season tires are usually enough, pretty sure there is not enough clearance on a celica for regular chains. You might be able to use some of the really thin cable-chains IF you have the clearance:

http://tirechain.com/CAR_CABLE_MOUNTING_INTRUCTIONS.HTM

[ScoobyDooCruiser]

Celi's are front wheel drives, so thats a plus. If you've never driven in snow, the first chance you get, find a open parking lot or somewhere where you can slide around and get what it feels like. Also, if you can practice on hills, thats a good thing. The hardest thing about snow (for me) is remembering how much the dynamics changes depending on if you're going up hill or not. All weather tires are very important, and also make sure your tires are balanced and your suspension aligned.

You'll be fine.

[FreddyTheOthaMea...]

From a Coloradan that drives his 6gc in the snow, its no biggie. The Celica actually does pretty decent in the snow... Just dont gun it everywhere and you should be cool... Even my wifes old 5th gen celi would tear thru most snow so...

[GriffGirl]

1)Don't drive fast in the snow with the chains/cables on your tires or you'll break 'em
2)Don't drive fast in the snow without the chains/cables on your tires or you'll break IT
3) DON'T OVERCORRECT if you start to slide. Be calm, let it slide and GENTLY nudge the steering wheel if you can. Overcorrecting will send you into a spin, then you'll slam the brakes, and well, it's pretty much just all over from there.

Just use good common sense and you should be okay. You could actually put some sandbags or something in the rear of your car to weigh it down some in the back and balance the weight out, it'll give you a little better traction in the snow. (old east coast trick) But yeah, it being FWD is a plus in slippery conditions.


Edit: also, downshift when you can to reduce using the brakes all the time. If you've got an auto, then get acquainted with D2 and D3 or L or whatever is on the auto Celi's, and learn to use those. They'll help a lot in not spinning wheels when you take off and not sliding as much when braking/slowing down.

This post has been edited by GriffGirl: Dec 3, 2007 - 3:43 PM

[celicaST]

i live in colorado too. where you guys heading? driving in snow isnt that bad as long as you use common sense. even still, ive had a few scary moments. sometimes it doesnt matter how slow your going. coming to a stop on a downhill slope sometimes is just damn near impossible. best thing to do is just avoid driving when the roads are bad, although most city do a good job of shoveling and laying salt.

[96bluevert]

best thing to do is just avoid driving when the roads are bad, although most city do a good job of shoveling and laying salt.

Well on main roads, they do. As long as you stick to highway's/main arterials and only travel durring the day you should be fine. Also all season tires help alot.

[playr158]

turn the wheel all the way one direction and pull the ebrake, mash the gas.

chains do fit on a celica even with a drop...but probably not with a drop greater than 2"

just remember less gas is best, and if you don't have ABS locking up your wheels = 0 control, *pumping works well*

increase following distance by AT LEAST 3 times your normal dry condition gap

This post has been edited by playr158: Dec 3, 2007 - 4:47 PM

[Havok1997GT]

Thanks everyone for the info. The sand bags are a great idea. I think we are going to take our friends Exterra instead of the Celi. But if we end up still needing to take it, we are going to take my Celis Tires of cuz they are all Weather and Pandas are Racing tires, Were going to look into that sandbag trick, and just watch ourselfs. Thanks again to everyone for the info.

celicaST where going just outside of Colorado Springs.


Thanks again all.

[bccentaur3]

Just don't drive fast. Check the weathjer channle to see if theres percipitation the days you're up there. If not you're fine. Fresh snow is the stuff you need to look out for. Be careful of black ice too.

[aspen]

I also live in Colorado, albeit, I don't own a Celica(Yet).


As long as you're not stupid you'll be perfectly fine, especially not in the mountains.

We really don't get as much snow as people perceive.

[celicaST]

I also live in Colorado, albeit, I don't own a Celica(Yet).


As long as you're not stupid you'll be perfectly fine, especially not in the mountains.

We really don't get as much snow as people perceive.

agreed. except for the occasional blizzard in march. i assumed he was going on a ski trip

havok, youll be fine in colorado springs. the way this winter has been going, chances are you wont even see snow. it was in the 60s today!

[Sh0gunkid8721]

celicas handle exceptionally well in the snow. my only word of advice is to drive careful and try not to stop going up a hill. try to keep your momentum going. thats all.

[uberschall]

even though OP has changed vehicles, i think everyone should know that a 5s and a deft left foot can start a 5-speed celica in second gear, no problem. i find that when traction is in short supply, starting in first is difficult, especially on hills.

some may argue that a second-gear start is hard on the drivetrain, which may be....but it's preferable to sliding backwards into another car, or getting marooned at a light.

also, practice learning where to reapply throttle in the turns. if you try and power through corners, the front-wheel plague of understeer will be exaggerated by wheel slippage and you'll end up on someone's lawn, in a ditch, or worse - in a wreck.

[94GT]

The only place in Colorado that you MIGHT need chains or cables would be going up 70 or one of the other smaller highways west into the mountains from the front range (i.e. the I-25 corridor). I lived there for eight years and owned the Celica for a total of 6 winters. I never once put chains on, and I drove in some really bad snowstorms with no problems. If your tire says M+S on it, you're golden. If you've got Z rated, California street tires, you're screwed if it snows or gets icey. Good luck and drive safe! Oh, I just noticed you're coming from Texas, which means you're probably coming up from I-25? Your most dangerous pass will be in southern Colorado. If you drive up I-35 through Oklahoma instead, and then go west on I-70 and take that towards Denver, it'll be completely flat but probably a longer route. There's an exit off I-70 that takes you towards C. Springs, but I can't remember what it's called. I think it's highway 24 or something, but you can google map it.

[Havok1997GT]

Thanks all.

If we do have to take the Celi where going to put my GTs tires on his ST because hes got Z rated i think, i dont remember but mine are allweather.

Isnt it true though that if your cought in a snowstorm and a towtruck has to pull you out and you dont have snow tires or chains on dont you get like a $500 fine?

[94GT]

not true to my knowledge. That might be true in areas where the "chain law" is in effect, but by the time they say chains are required (and mind you, this is for mountain passes only, people NEVER drive around the front range, denver, c. springs or fort collins with chains on) you should probably be off the road. Chain laws only apply to steep grades, and you'll see a sign on the side of the road that says "chains required beyond this point".

[Havok1997GT]

not true to my knowledge. That might be true in areas where the "chain law" is in effect, but by the time they say chains are required (and mind you, this is for mountain passes only, people NEVER drive around the front range, denver, c. springs or fort collins with chains on) you should probably be off the road. Chain laws only apply to steep grades, and you'll see a sign on the side of the road that says "chains required beyond this point".

oh, ok

[celicaST]

think youre ready for this? just took this pic outside my house. snow is still coming down, not even that bad yet. i was sliding everywhere, pretty fun as long as nothing is near you and you know how to correct understeer/oversteer



dont let this be you

http://youtube.com/watch?v=npTRXr4Sgxg&feature=related

http://youtube.com/watch?v=BM2gLjfE_3Y&feature=related

This post has been edited by celicaST: Dec 8, 2007 - 6:16 PM

[mrgrape]

nope
celicas are EXCEPTIONAL in the snow
for ex: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-aK65ikdgE