Lowered car and Snow?

[versa19]

Anyone who has lowered their car have any issues in the snow?

[biggie]

Lowering it should not have an effect over stock height in snow.

[versa19]

Depending on the drop, that is not entirely accurate. I know where I'm from the plows get on the roads late. I've managed to use my front bumper as a plow at times. heh

[biggie]

Well I assumed you knew not to drive in a foot+ of snow on the road.

[daan]

I think the tires you have on have a lot more to do with how it handles, the Miata I drove year-round did just fine once I put the snow tires on, and that thing was pretty low.

[mightyversa]

I had a lowered 1995 Civic Hatchback and Newfoundland is famous for ALOT of snow, Gander has the most snow every year and that where I was when I had my Civic. She drove PERFECT through the snow, yes a couple times I had to use the bumper as a plow, but what can you do, drifts go across the road and you need to go through! But I think if a lowered Civic can do good, ANYTHING CAN!

[BBISHOPPCM]

If you live in a snowy climate, and plan to drive the car in the winter, it might be a good idea to... not lower the car. Lowering the car is going to make it more difficult to drive the car in a situation where there is a few inches of snow, and the roads have not been plowed yet. I know, I've been there and done it. I was driving my Mazda 626 home during a blizzard. The car was stock height, and I could feel the undercarriage rubbing against the snow. Any lower, and I would have been left stranded. This would've become a safety issue. You also need to consider the tow-ability of a car. When you bottom out the floor pans and wind up slammed into a snowbank, do you really want to force the poor tow truck driver to attempt to crawl under your car while he blindly searches for a place to hook his tow line (assuming you threw your tow hook and spare tire in the trash, to make room for some cool speakers) just so you could look cool rollin' on eighteens? I've seen this happen. ALOT.

My suggestion? lower the car and buy a winter beater. Or don't lower it.

[Great White Versa]

I was at snowbird this past memorial day and woke up to a foot and a half of fresh snow in an unplowed parking area... Mine is lowered with the tanabe springs and I didn't notice any problems. Granted, there was only snow in the parking lot, since the actual roads were already plowed. Even still, I didn't notice anything as I pulled the car out, ie. no extra trails in the snow, just the tire marks.

[marleyfan]

Look at it this way. If it is lowered you will be able to drive in 1.5 inches less snow than if it's not. Increasing snow is eventually going to affect the driving ability of the car. If it is lowered it just means it is going to affect it 1.5 inches sooner. Whether or not this matters depends on the depth of snow you need to drive in.