How well does your Focus drive in snow?

[Royal Tee]

Originally Posted by csvt2060

Got our first snow this morning. Had not switched over to my winter tire package and it was a light 1-2 inches so I figured I would just drive careful to work on the PS3's. As soon as I got to the road I knew it wasn't going to happen, it reminded me of driving a mustang in the snow, very dangerous. I turned around and switched to my winter tires and what a difference. Handling is much more mushier but traction is awsome. I went with the 15" Michelin X-Ice xi2 to replace the 18" Michelin Pilot Sport 3's for the winter. Very quiet and smooth winter tire on the highway.

So there's no driving in the snow with the OEM handling package tires.

Thx for the info.

We are waiting for our FF w/the 18" package and I am in the process of researching snow options.

1 is to obtain the 17" black OEM wheels available and get winter tires for them that bring the radius to the same of the 18" just to keep all the #'s in line.

Is this a viable option or does anyone recommend another direction?

[cacophonous]

Originally Posted by Royal Tee

Thx for the info.

We are waiting for our FF w/the 18" package and I am in the process of researching snow options.

1 is to obtain the 17" black OEM wheels available and get winter tires for them that bring the radius to the same of the 18" just to keep all the #'s in line.

Is this a viable option or does anyone recommend another direction?

You could do that sure.

Your stock tires are 235/40R18 which have an outer diameter of 25.4"
You would want purchase 215/50R17 tires which have an outer diameter of 25.46"

The difference is .06" which would throw your speedometer off by 1/10th of a mile at 65 MPH

Personally I went with 15" Alloys and 195/65R15 Blizzaks which has the same approx outer diameter as my stock 17" Black & Machined rims 215/50R17 tires. My speedometer is off by 1-2 miles at 65 mph. I paid 50.00 for the used rims and 371.00 for the tires (out the door) at Costco.

The 15s are cheaper and work better in the snow since they are narrower. They also have as higher sidewall which is better for pot holes, etc.

[JMD787]

Originally Posted by Royal Tee

Thx for the info.

We are waiting for our FF w/the 18" package and I am in the process of researching snow options.

1 is to obtain the 17" black OEM wheels available and get winter tires for them that bring the radius to the same of the 18" just to keep all the #'s in line.

Is this a viable option or does anyone recommend another direction?

I have the 18's as well. I went with a 15" wheel and snow tire. Keeps the cost down. The closest match to keep the speedometer accurate is 205/65/15. Tire Rack recommends a 195/65/15, but the speedo will be about 1.5% off. With the 205 it's only 0.3% off.

[BetaDnB]

So apparently if you turn off traction control you still can't do e-brake slides. It kicks on. Does that sound normal?

[st falcon]

Drove in moderate snow yesterday. Not bad with stock tires. I have read they get much worse the second winter. I have driven through a ton of snow in many vehicles, never on snow tires. I have found that conservative driving in snow has built alot of experience. I have had four wheel drive, rear wheel drive, front wheel drive, and it all came down to knowing your car, and its limits. Stability control is nice, but is terrible for getting out of deep snow, where you DO have to spin your tires to rock back and forth to get out of a hole you dug...

[currentlyabsent]

Originally Posted by BetaDnB

So apparently if you turn off traction control you still can't do e-brake slides. It kicks on. Does that sound normal?

Mine reacts the same.Probably for the best lol

[cacophonous]

Originally Posted by JMD787

I have the 18's as well. I went with a 15" wheel and snow tire. Keeps the cost down. The closest match to keep the speedometer accurate is 205/65/15. Tire Rack recommends a 195/65/15, but the speedo will be about 1.5% off. With the 205 it's only 0.3% off.

I went with 195/65/15 because they are narrower hence better in snow. It only throws the speedometer off by 2 MPH and once you know that you are good.

[BetaDnB]

Originally Posted by currentlyabsent

Mine reacts the same.Probably for the best lol

Well it's not for the best for me.

[FlankerDFR]

Haven't driven mine in snow yet.............it's garaged back home. Got a set of General Altimax Arctics on it................would expect it'll get around in snow quite well till it starts seriously dragging the undercarriage, and/or plowing with the front end. They're not SUVs or trucks after all.

[Dondi]

Originally Posted by Superd

hahaha i learned years ago that in montreal a turn signal flashing means "I AM coming over" where in most places a turn signal flashing means "can i come over?" or "i'm thinking of coming over".
So when i am in Montreal i drive like a Montrealer and when in Toronto just drive like a dbag. I am so glad i live just outside of the city and get to deal with polite drivers 99% of the time.

That pretty much sums up Boston too.