Winter Is Coming Need Sugestions

General discussion forum about the 240sx, and a great place to introduce yourself to the board!
240sxrunner
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Ok i live in Minnesota and we get a **** loads of snow here is a *****. I have never driven a RWD car in the winter. Ok i have Toyo Proxies T1-S's and i know those wont work for winter cause their more of racen tires. What are some really good winter tires for our cars. I am willing to spend 500 or less. What else do you need to do to the car to make it safer to drive in the winter?? Sand bags in the back??? I need input cause i dont wanna die this winter. I have a 1989 240SX Hatchback with a 5-Speed. I need sugestions on how to drive it in the winter???


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Repo Man
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Defintely lose the Toyos. You won't die, because you won't be able to get out of your driveway. The Michelin Arctic Alpin and Bridgestone Blizzaks are two top snow tires. Living where you do, I would certainly get dedicated snow tires.

I would also put 100lbs of sand or salt in your trunk. Don't overload it though because you'll unweight the front tires and that will compromise steering. I would also not let my gas tank drop below half.

Get a cell phone if you don't have one and keep a blanket or two in the car in case you wind up stuck. A few Powerbars could come in handy too.

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blink0r
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Why would you drive your 240 in the winter? I live in central Saskatchewan and our winters are horrible... last year, before i parked my car we got snow, and i couldn't make it down the street. Maybe it's the tires, but RWD + 5 speed is a bad combination for our cars.

Goodbar6
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Back when i didnt have my Maxima as a daily driver, i drove my 89 240SX 5 speed in the snow just fine (i live in NE, so we get some good snow as well). Get some snow tires, and some sand bags, and start off in 2nd gear. You should be fine.Tyler

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PalmerWMD
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W/ dedicated Snow tires you will out-trac SUV's w/ All seasons.Maybe even w/o using sandbags.

Fred...:)

stickgoat
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Before I moved to South Carolina (about 4 months ago), I lived in central Oregon, where we got a good bit of snow in the winter.

I had a set of studded snow tires mounted on steel rims with some 16" hubcaps. Not only did I have fantastic traction with the tires, the steelies prevented my real rims from winter damage.

Granted I was in a FWD car, but a Probe GT isn't exactly a 4x4 SUV, either. ;)

Just as an example of how effective the studded snows are... Last winter we got the first big dumping of snow before I had a chance to get my snow tires out of storage. I lived in an apartment complex which had a slight hill leading to the lower building. I lived in that lower building, and was literally trapped in my apartment for a week because I could not get my car out on regular tires. I could back out of my parking spot but that was about it. Attempting to turn straight and go up the hill resulted in a lot of sliding and getting stuck.

Once I had the studs on, I was able to bust on out, no problem.

I highly, highly recommend studded snow tires. I'd sell you my set for cheap if they weren't all the way across the country. :D

cndctrdj
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blink0r wrote:Why would you drive your 240 in the winter? I live in central Saskatchewan and our winters are horrible... last year, before i parked my car we got snow, and i couldn't make it down the street. Maybe it's the tires, but RWD + 5 speed is a bad combination for our cars.


try a rwd 6 speed those are fun in the snow

just a little advise not all the wheels move the car but all the wheels stop the car. people in suv's are so stupid they think because they can go forward better in snow they can also turn better and stop better ... HA

MaineExport
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cndctrdj wrote:
just a little advise not all the wheels move the car but all the wheels stop the car. people in suv's are so stupid they think because they can go forward better in snow they can also turn better and stop better ... HA


I am no sport-ute owner, but I am a 4X4 owner and enthusiast. I agree that MOST 4X4 owners think the way you say, but if you drive it properly... YOU CAN stop and turn better.... WAY BETTER! The reason being.... brakes are your enemy when stopping and turning in slippery situations. regardless of what you drive... if you use the brakes and lock up all your wheels... you're toast. Experience behind the wheel using 4 wheel drive and doing controlled slide recoveries, brake/acceleration techniques for cornering.... etc....etc, all will lead to a better driver in the snow and ice.

The only situation where you are totally screwed no matter what you drive, is sheer ice with no possible chance of traction.

To answer the original question that started this thread... buy a winter beater 4X4... I wouldn't want to rely on my 240 to get me to work or school in bad storms.


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