Driving an MR2 in snowy/icy conditions.....

[Nik_L]

Right, seeing as the bad weather is coming, and my MR2 is my daily, does any1 have any tips for driving in the snow??

Will it be a good idea to put some weight in the front trunk to help reduce over-steer??

[Steve-O 2007]

drive slow thats all i did

[Draven]

Slow and steady try to predict other drivers movements allow yourself more than enough room to stop.

Not really Mr2 specific things same as any car. Driving in winter is dangerous.

If it is a turbo stay off boost.

[SonicSW20]

I would suggest getting winter tyres if you are going to be using it daily. Pick up a set of stock wheels to fit them on cheap, and just swap them on in the winter assuming you have the storage space. Winter tyres make a HUGE difference not just in adverse conditions, but when it is cold too - summer tyres will harden up around 7C, so under 7C winter tyres will be far superior regardless of whether its dry, wet, etc.

[nickg07]

I drive slower, keep below 4000 rpm and givr myself more space than usual.

i don't mind some vrs leaving me at the traffic lights. I just laugh because i know what's lurking in the back of my car.

[Harold]

I find that the mr2 is quite good in the snow and ice compared to other rwd cars, last winter my neighbours big mercedes couldn't get out of the car park as there is a tiny incline which was rather icy. Yet my mr2 could just trundle up there no problems, having the engine over the rear wheels helps a lot.

You have to be sensible of course but I used it often in the snow and ice with no problems. I was on the standard 15 inch wheels though, if you've got some big rims and wide rubber you're going to have more difficulty.

[JohnnyC]

This was me last year:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5N67aSKNrKU

Overall, it was one of the worst journeys I have ever done.
But that was all down to other drivers, tailgating or driving too fast for the conditions.
If I'd been the only car on the road I'd have loved it

As already stated, the MR2 isn't as bad as front engined RWD cars.
But I think the best bet would be winter tyres.

[ashley]

The best thing I did last year in the snow was find a nice open space covered in fresh snow and then experimented, I learnt so much about the feel and handling of my two in a few days of pi$$ing around like a hooligan, especially learning not to panic when back end grip disappears and then be able to concentrate on trying to recover....was huge fun as well

[Rosssco]

I personally really like th MR2 in the snow, but as said above, get some empty car park experience if possible. I also stuck a pair of 225/60/15 Fulda winter tyres on a pair of spare wheels, and although they only had around ~4mm tread on them, they made a massive difference to the way the car could put the power down.

Even in quite deep snow or compacted snow it found good traction. Just a pity the fronts were standard tyres, hence steering was more like canal boat-like than anything else compared to the rear

[Nik_L]

Thing is, yeah the MR2 will be better for traction when pulling away compared to BMW's etc, but once on the move it wont be as good. Once it starts to slide, the weight over the rear wheels will give it a pendulum effect making it harder to control.

I have been up the industrial estate when it was snowy last week, trying to get used to it, but its soooo un-predictable compared to my old 328i Sport. Was really hard trying to get used to it doing things u don't want it doing.

[Rosssco]

Its only unpredictable because you are not used to it Theres usually a tendancy to over- correct, which is compounded / magnified on snow as the steering feels very light. Of course the best advice is not to end up in a situation on the road where you have to apply lots of steering correction, therefore best to tip toe around corners bends, then use the traction advantage once the road straightens up...

[nickg07]

Is it worth dropping 25kg of sand or something into the frunk?

[loudandproud205]

I found mine steered from the rear anyway.

I hated it and its an experience I never wish to go through again, I live in a hilly area and it 360 on itself on a junction as it was an incline with a mild camber, hateful experience but it managed it unlike alot of my neighbours that just quit and stayed in.

I opted for a Range Rover after that

[CecilWard]

Is it worth dropping 25kg of sand or something into the frunk?

Definitely not!!

Momentum is your enemy.

1. Winter tyres. This is important.
2. Anticipate. Brake before you have to, even just to test the grip.
3. In fresh snow, make sure your ABS/traction control is off, but don't forget to turn it back on again.

My AW11s have been outstanding in the snow, allowance made for their lack of ground clearance.

[djpkins]

....good point...ground clearance...my car ate a hooj rut of snow that had gathered in the centre of the road, split the bottom lip and took out the foggies.

[nickg07]

Yea that's bad im probably -40mm on my car i don't think my sump appreciates even the minor speed bumps and i don't want it rusting through again after collecting snow and salt on it:/

[SySanguinary]

I spent most of last year steering on the thottle, I loved it. I found the car to be good in the snow since the weight over the wheels helped with traction and the LSD got the car moving forward.
Yes, it was a snow plough at times but not once did it get stuck - my girlfriends SLK wouldn't even get off the drive.

(I did drive into a concrete kerb though and wreck the tracking - I thought it was a drift of snow so entirely my fault! )

[Marf]

Right, seeing as the bad weather is coming, and my MR2 is my daily, does any1 have any tips for driving in the snow??

Don't

[Driftlimits Performance]

Get a bit extra rear toe in

[craig]

Right, seeing as the bad weather is coming, and my MR2 is my daily, does any1 have any tips for driving in the snow??

Don't

+1