First drive in the snow

[IngotFoFo]

Today was my first time taking the focus out in the snow, we had roughly 4 inches last night so this mornings drive at 5 was def not easy. My commute included driving on country back roads that had not been touched with a plow yet, dual lane highways that had been plowed at one time, but had a good inch of packed snow/ice, to just wet interstates.

I have to say I was very impressed!! I was a little skeptical about leaving the 4x4 250 in the yard and taking the focus, but I think I was far better off with front wheel drive. I could cruise comfortably at 45mph. A couple times I spun on takeoff from stoplights, but traction control kicked in and helped, and also kicked in nicely when I hit a couple patches of ice. The abs also worked great when idiots in front of me decided to slam on brakes. One feature I really liked was the engine brake. It helped me to slow down when going down hills instead of risking hitting the brakes.

All in all I was extremely happy how it handled after being scared about not being able to turn off traction control (s model) but the truth of it is that the traction control worked wonders. I do not believe I would have made it to work without it. sorry about the long post but I just had to share my good driving experience.

Thanks for reading!

[Kevastator]

Great to hear it performed so well!

Are you on stock tires or winter tires?

[IngotFoFo]

Originally Posted by Kevastator

Great to hear it performed so well!

Are you on stock tires or winter tires?

This was with the stock tires on. After today, I don't even think snow tires are a necessity for me given how little snow we have gotten in recent years.

[Kevastator]

Nice! I drive a 4x4 now, so I'm a little nervous about switching to fwd for the snow, but this reassures me haha

[mainest]

You will notice a marked difference between all-season tires, and winter tires which are designed and constructed for winter temperatures as well as snow and ice. Your traction control and ABS will be activated half as often with winter tires, as with all-season tires.
In a mid Atlantic climate, it may be difficult to rationalize spending $500 for one or two snow events, although winter tires have materials designed for temperatures below 45F. In Montana, I'd it should be well worth your investment. Good luck.

[cobie56]

Originally Posted by mainest

You will notice a marked difference between all-season tires, and winter tires which are designed and constructed for winter temperatures as well as snow and ice. Your traction control and ABS will be activated half as often with winter tires, as with all-season tires.
In a mid Atlantic climate, it may be difficult to rationalize spending $500 for one or two snow events, although winter tires have materials designed for temperatures below 45F. In Montana, I'd it should be well worth your investment. Good luck.

You are 100% correct in all u say in ur post. Ive always
had snows and attest to their superior winter performance. With my new focus
However ive opted to not get snows (im running DWS Contis) as i rarely need to drive during a snow event and in my region, even during 2 foot plus storms the roads are always plowed, salted and passable even during the height of a storm ---here in sno country we have great sno removal svcs- 15 miles away in quebec snows are mandatory for cars registered there even tho they have good sno removal (xcept for isle de montreal-- those who live there can attest to this)
Anyway i digress,,,the poster in montana may have similar or same conditions and not always need snows

[rollerman]

i have always used stock tires in new hampshire never had any issues and i plow in the winter so i'm driving in it before the road crews the focus seems to be better than my accord was.

[aemik]

Originally Posted by rollerman

i have always used stock tires in new hampshire never had any issues and i plow in the winter so i'm driving in it before the road crews the focus seems to be better than my accord was.

I have also found this car to be particularly sure-footed, even on stock tires. I agree that snows are better, and I have a set for my old Volvo wagon. That said I don't anticipate shelling out unless we see some real consistent wintry crap. It seems that the good ABS and the traction/stability control can get a lot done with the moderate traction all-seasons afford.

I did one time make the mistake of trying my old Accord on a snow day while I had a set of street slick style summer tires on it. Got hung up trying to go back up the curb into my driveway after getting 100yds down my street and deciding "NOPE"...