terrible in snow....

  1. Saxperience Post Whore Joined: May 2009 Birmingham Posts: 5801 1.1 106 XN Time, MK2 VTR 01. Ford Focus ST3 CP320
    #1
    How are your Saxo's in the snow ?

    Just went to pop to the shops and got about 30 foot before my car was sliding and lost all traction.

    I always use a higher gear but this is ridiculous, I am aware my toyo proxes aren't exactly in new condition but this is annoying. My misses fiesta went up there a treat..... She has recently had brand new tyres that's all I can think of.
  2. Regular Poster Joined: Feb 2012 Oswestry, Shropshire Posts: 476 Cammed MK1 VTR
    #2
    terrible its ok once im going, but its pulling away whats a pain lol
  3. Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 31279 Citroen Saxo VTS, S60 D5
    #3
    Just the odd slippage when pulling out of slushy junctions..

    rs2's
  4. Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Jul 2010 Morley, Leeds Posts: 8469 Civic ep3 type r powered by TDI NORTH
    #4
    Mines spot on tbh.

    All depends on how well your car is looked after with the engine. And what tyres and pressures you have in the snow. I also learnt how to drive in the snow in canada so this 1mm of snow is a piss ball.
  5. Super Moderator Joined: Aug 2007 Lancashire Posts: 14256 Astra VXR + 1989 Astra GTE
    #5
    Its all down to technique.

    Alot of other drivers frustrate me in the snow..
    1 user thanked this post:
  6. Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 31279 Citroen Saxo VTS, S60 D5
    #6
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Paul View Post
    Its all down to technique.

    Alot of other drivers frustrate me in the snow..
    Paulllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll



    When did you get shot of that Black Saxo? do you still have that old Astra? and do you have a new Astra?
  7. Super Moderator Joined: Aug 2007 Lancashire Posts: 14256 Astra VXR + 1989 Astra GTE
    #7
    Cant keep up with your name changes John lol, i'll private message you
    2 users thanked this post: ,
  8. Established Member Joined: Sep 2010 Posts: 1368
    #8
    haven't struggled in the snow at all, my xsi was fine with both 195/45 15 t1r's. and my diesel fine with 165/70 13's.

    imo, these cars its driving technique. some cars really are shit in the snow though.
  9. Frequent Poster Joined: Aug 2011 Nottingham/South London Posts: 976 Icelandic Grey VTR Mk2
    #9
    Pretty awesome tbh drove down to Nuneaton last night to get an ecu from nottingham, was overtaking 4x4s the lot on the a roads and no unintentional spins on little roads.
  10. Established Member Joined: Feb 2010 8 inches in your mum Posts: 1007 Lexus LS400 V8 Range Rover 4.6 litre HSE V8
    #10
    Not had a problem at all in my rwd Lexus
  11. Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Sep 2011 Doncaster Posts: 2627 Fabia VRS, mk1 fiesta + some others
    #11
    I actually cant say ive had any problems, not with the lingdinglong ditchfinders or the cf1's.
    Ive always used the cossy in the snow up to now being 4x4 but this years its been off the road so ive had the saxo, its better than i expected!
  12. Established Member Joined: Dec 2011 Derby Posts: 1021 Posi saxo, flatty, Peugeot bipper, Vauxhall vectra
    #12
    I think the ones who have accidents in snow are usually the cocky ones who think their car is better and drive to fast or get impatient with you.
    Likes on Saturday Some one in a vw Transporter kept driving up close to me, then as i braked gently for the junction without skidding the vw guy had to swerve and skidded into the next lane and looked and undoubtedly felt like a tw**.
    My Saxo doesnt have ABS or anything like that and ive had no probelms.
  13. Frequent Poster Joined: Jul 2012 North East Posts: 510 EP3 Type R
    #13
    i have no problems with my saxo
  14. Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Oct 2008 Birtley Posts: 22253 VTR Turbo, 106 xsi track slag, Transit recovery, B
    #14
    should be fine
    never had any probs with my saxo untill last year when it was so deep from once night i couldnt get it to move with it being low

    was beached on the snow lol

    even now can still drive it with turbo and unsprung paddle clutch.

    after using half a tak to get about 40 ft i finally went back in the house

  15. Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Nov 2010 Kent Posts: 8439 Gen 7 Celica 190.
    #15
    Never had any problems with mine..
  16. Saxperience Post Whore Joined: May 2009 Birmingham Posts: 5801 1.1 106 XN Time, MK2 VTR 01. Ford Focus ST3 CP320
    #16
    Yeah, well we've had a good 15cm of snow that's completely iced up now and my car is just too slidey.

    In reference to those say about driving fast and being cocky I definitely dont do this. I drive really careful and it just seems like my Saxo can't deal with it.

    By the way it's a mint car not a shit bag. I think it may just be a tyre issue perhaps.

    Driving in fresh snow isn't too bad, but settled snow and ice is just impossible.

    I find if I have momentum I'm ok, pulling off again is a nightmare.
  17. Frequent Poster Joined: Jun 2012 123 happy land, worcestershire/surrey Posts: 798 saxo vtr 2002
    #17
    makes an otherwise fun experience of driving exciting! prickle said about the slush, just anything can make it a fun! great fun trying to skid into parking spaces. wouldnt advise it but with no cars around, managed to get into one after a few goes and drawing a crowd but i did!took a few minutes of spin outs and wasted petrol but i got there

    aside from deliberate handbrake, hard braking and general dick driving, i've not lost control without wanting to. jst dont be going over 3000 revs? worked fine for me

    my tyres r falken 912, about 2-3000 miles in and they hold fine
  18. Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Jun 2011 Abermule, Mid Wales. Posts: 2763 Corsa Rally Car & Fiesta ST
    #18
    my saxo was awsome in the snow no matter what shit tyres i had on it.

    and my proton is even better.

    its all about teqnique, you can have the best snow tyres in the world on your car but if your a shit driver you will get stuck/crash/burn and die.
  19. Saxperience Addict Joined: Dec 2009 Posts: 11714 A6 Le Mans tuned/A3 TFSI tuned
    #19
    Some have snow driving skills, some don't.
  20. Saxperience Post Whore Joined: May 2009 Birmingham Posts: 5801 1.1 106 XN Time, MK2 VTR 01. Ford Focus ST3 CP320
    #20
    Right so I'm a shit driver then...... ok that's really helpful. cheers .

    What a stupid response.
  21. L-plater Joined: Jul 2012 lanark Posts: 68 Saxo vts mk2 Audi A3 2.0 TDI 170 BHP Sportback
    #21
    We aint had much snow up here in the west of Scotland but I know how much of a pain in the ass the snow can be lads.

    Mind you it's good if your into a bit f snow boarding.
  22. Saxperience Post Whore Joined: May 2009 Birmingham Posts: 5801 1.1 106 XN Time, MK2 VTR 01. Ford Focus ST3 CP320
    #22
    The thing is we've had a decent amount in brum and my house is on a side road, on a slope... So its not the best to drive in. We've had no grit put down or anything.

    I think people are getting me all wrong, when I drove out of work and it was fresh snow, I was Ok. Its more now, where the snow has settled and iced over. Having said that we now have a further inch.

    I think some people do drive like cocks, but this " technique " talk is just nonesense.

    Its a car, you sit in it and drive carefully in the snow. If my car slips in a straight line then that is fuck all to do with the driver.

    I know its a forum but some people make themselves sound stupid.
  23. Regular Poster Joined: Oct 2010 medway Posts: 314 saxo mk2 desire
    #23
    Mines fine in the snow good old rainsport 2's
  24. Saxperience Post Whore Joined: May 2009 Birmingham Posts: 5801 1.1 106 XN Time, MK2 VTR 01. Ford Focus ST3 CP320
    #24
    I did actually look at my tyres tbh... Ive heard Toyo Proxes are good but dont last long is that right ?

    I've had them about 2 years ISH...... They are looking a little more worn that i first thought.
  25. Saxperience Addict Joined: Nov 2006 A farm shed in Aylesbury Posts: 14916 Corolla AE86 Peugeot 205 B18C (in bits)
    #25
    It seriously is down to tyres, how worn they are, treat pattern and also the pressures.
    My Clio last year got stuck in a carpark with only a mild slope thwarting it. I had to dig two lines all the way to the exit so I could get enough grip. Some sports tyres really suck in this weather.
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  26. Infrequent Poster Joined: Jan 2013 Deal, Kent Posts: 109 Black VTR 02
    #26
    Tyres do play a massive role in handling on the snow. Can't do much about it when the snows been compacted though. Same situation down in kent. Fresh snow is fine but when its compacted, no amount of technique or type of tyres will stop you sliding towards the curb on cambered roads. Just the way the cookie crumbles.
  27. Frequent Poster Joined: Sep 2010 Bristol Posts: 906 Saxo 1.4i SX 3dr, 106 (engine swap under way), p
    #27
    I have a pair of bf goodrich all season tyres on the front of the saxo (standard tyres on the rear). I did a round trip from bristol to mk (out friday night, back saturday) through all the snow, slush, ice and shit. Coped fine. The motorway was so bad the rear arches had filled up so badly I could feel the rear end dragging, and front arches so badly that it felt like the power steering had died once I got off the motorway. Had to pull over and clear the crap out.
  28. Frequent Poster Joined: Dec 2010 Mid Wales Posts: 604 03 vtr
    #28
    Living on single track hilly roads the saxo gets put to the test. It's only a 1.1 so you can't expect much out of it, but it does fairly well in snow. Ice however....

    Plus one on having a play in the snow with the car btw, love snow driving!!!!
  29. Established Member Joined: Sep 2011 Ebbw Vale Posts: 1180 Clio 182 Daily, 106 GTi Track Project
    #29
    Can't complain, my vtr on budgets has been great, not lost it once unless I wanted to have a bit of fun.
  30. Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Dec 2012 Perth Posts: 3665 Peugeot 106 1.1 Turbo Peugeot 106 1.5D Turbo Peuge
    #30
    I've got Marangoni on the front (195/40/15) and T1R on the back. T1R's are on the back because they are shit. I've not had too many problems with it, slidy, yes but not got stuck yet

    When climbing and descending it's down to technique, tyres, weight distribution, engine power/torque and vehicle design.

    Going down a hill you have to trust yourself, stick it in first gear and let the engine take you down, using brakes is stupid/pointless. It's a basic off road technique and it works well.

    you just have to hope nobody is coming the other way if it's a narrow road

    Going up a hill, simply you need to go slow and keep the revs low. If you're really stuck you can always reverse up the hill as the ratio is highest

    Clearly if you have shit tyres (for example tyres with smooth bands in the middle) then you're going to go nowhere.
  31. Established Member Joined: Oct 2009 Birmingham Posts: 2073 Current - 56 1.9 astra Sri Owned - 54 C2 GT. Ow
    #31
    Your road is pretty poor mate, you kinda live right at the bottom of both hills but still would expect you to get up that one side...

    Maybe let bit or air out of your tyres?
  32. Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Jul 2010 Morley, Leeds Posts: 8469 Civic ep3 type r powered by TDI NORTH
    #32
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Gazer View Post
    Your road is pretty poor mate, you kinda live right at the bottom of both hills but still would expect you to get up that one side...

    Maybe let bit or air out of your tyres?
    That's the last thing you want to do in snow over here..

    You want as little surface area on the road as possible unless you are running in super deep where you cant cut through the snow to the road you want high pressure skinny tyres.
  33. Established Member Joined: Oct 2009 Birmingham Posts: 2073 Current - 56 1.9 astra Sri Owned - 54 C2 GT. Ow
    #33
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Bedford126 View Post
    That's the last thing you want to do in snow over here..

    You want as little surface area on the road as possible unless you are running in super deep where you cant cut through the snow to the road you want high pressure skinny tyres.
    Well is above kerbs in my road, worked for my dad other night also was parked on like a patch of grass at time though...
  34. Saxperience Addict Joined: Apr 2007 Sunderland Posts: 10341
    #34
    My 106 is amazing in the snow, dunno if you can tell in this pic but on the front I have Goodyear Ultra Grip 8 winter tyres:



    That road I'm on there is a really steep farm track that my car goes up with ease, it's unreal feels like I have 4 wheel drive, lowering it recently made no difference at all still is brilliant, a combination of the tyre choice I have and width and diameter, plus having a torquey heavy diesel engine over the front wheels makes it epic!
  35. Frequent Poster Joined: Mar 2011 Rugby Posts: 752 saxo vtr 02, 150bhp yamaha FZ1:)
    #35
    Mines epic apart from ground clearace issues, open car park + handbrake is just so fun
  36. Established Member Joined: Apr 2012 Nottingham Posts: 1736 3dr Desire sleeper... ^Made it into PFC...^
    #36
    If your understeering grab the handbrake,
    Oversteer unwanted : let off the pedal
    This is how you test to see if your an economical driver. Those who have lead feet will just spin to feck. Having an imaginary egg under your shoe is key. Gentle gentle.
    If you can't drive on snow well, or confidently, gtfo off the road when it does snow. Walk.
  37. Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Dec 2012 Perth Posts: 3665 Peugeot 106 1.1 Turbo Peugeot 106 1.5D Turbo Peuge
    #37
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by 12u55 View Post
    If your understeering grab the handbrake,
    Oversteer unwanted : let off the pedal
    This is how you test to see if your an economical driver. Those who have lead feet will just spin to feck. Having an imaginary egg under your shoe is key. Gentle gentle.
    If you can't drive on snow well, or confidently, gtfo off the road when it does snow. Walk.
    This! 1 inch of snow is not an excuse to drive at 20mph on a dual carriageway!

    It's dangerous to overtake as well because the gritter only clears one feckin lane!
  38. Established Member Joined: Oct 2009 Birmingham Posts: 2073 Current - 56 1.9 astra Sri Owned - 54 C2 GT. Ow
    #38
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by 12u55 View Post
    If your understeering grab the handbrake,
    Oversteer unwanted : let off the pedal
    This is how you test to see if your an economical driver. Those who have lead feet will just spin to feck. Having an imaginary egg under your shoe is key. Gentle gentle.
    If you can't drive on snow well, or confidently, gtfo off the road when it does snow. Walk.
    Yeah clever that mate, good way to slide into a kerb and do some nice damage.

    And how does that test if your an economical driver? I was wheel spinning on just the clutch other day does that make me an uneconomic driver?
  39. Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Jun 2009 Jonathan Tonk's yard. Posts: 4232 '85 Opel Manta '88 Manta GT/E '87 Rayleigh Roadi
    #39
    My vtr is fine and that's got odd tyres at the front (one is on the wrong way as well)

    I found my old 1.1 and my buddies' to be better than mine, skinnier tyres I guess.

    It's also how you drive as well, some people are actual retards in the snow.

    Sat there with wheels spinning and engine revving high, fucktards.

    Quote:
    Originally Posted by 12u55 View Post
    If your understeering grab the handbrake,
    Oversteer unwanted : let off the pedal
    This is how you test to see if your an economical driver. Those who have lead feet will just spin to feck. Having an imaginary egg under your shoe is key. Gentle gentle.
    If you can't drive on snow well, or confidently, gtfo off the road when it does snow. Walk.
    I agree, get the car pointing where you want to go and apply gentle throttle.

    It's fwd and basic physics, which I explained to my mother earlier using a pen and some string.
  40. Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Mar 2009 Uppingham, Rutland Posts: 9569 mk1 JP4'd VTR, '16 Fabia Monte Carlo
    #40
    I've got 265s on the back, probably under deflated and is rwd,i haven't got the best possible start there ha
  41. Saxperience Post Whore Joined: May 2009 Birmingham Posts: 5801 1.1 106 XN Time, MK2 VTR 01. Ford Focus ST3 CP320
    #41
    Gazer, I'll pop up yours soon when youve got time too look at my gearbox.... I think my tyres are perfectly legal and evenly worn, but they are a definite shout for why I have no traction. ( Aside from the fact I live on the slopes )
  42. Established Member Joined: Oct 2009 Birmingham Posts: 2073 Current - 56 1.9 astra Sri Owned - 54 C2 GT. Ow
    #42
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Carlvtr88 View Post
    Gazer, I'll pop up yours soon when youve got time too look at my gearbox.... I think my tyres are perfectly legal and evenly worn, but they are a definite shout for why I have no traction. ( Aside from the fact I live on the slopes )
    Go for it, You got to get here first
  43. Regular Poster Joined: Jul 2012 Chesterfield Posts: 355 White mk2 vtr
    #43
    My vtr is amazing in the snow. Good at drifting too.
    I have just had new tyres on though .
  44. Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Mar 2007 127.0.0.1 Posts: 4826 oem+ sax
    #44
    My sax was amazing on vtr wheels thats 185/55/14 with cheap nexeen n2000 tyres it over took most cars that were getting stuck, went up steep hills was awesome.

    Since having vts wheels 195/45/15 its crap a night mare slips all over the show, there is not too much confidence their compared to the vtr wheels but its still better than other cars on the road.

    imo skinnier wheels vtr wheels or steelies will get you through the snow.
  45. Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Nov 2010 England Posts: 3423
    #45
    I have a pretty brand new set of Uniroyal Rain Sports 2.

    I have very little slippage with these, even with the slosh. They seem to drive better on the ice then they do in the fresh snow. I pull away only using the clutch and drive around in gear 3.
  46. Saxperience Addict Joined: Dec 2009 Posts: 11714 A6 Le Mans tuned/A3 TFSI tuned
    #46
    Rainsports have some serious grip, but they're a bit on the noisy/bad mpg side too. That said, probably the best tyre to ride on at the moment and certainly best compromise if you don't want to buy snow tyres.

    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Carlvtr88 View Post
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Manu View Post
    Some have snow driving skills, some don't.
    Right so I'm a shit driver then...... ok that's really helpful. cheers .

    What a stupid response.
    Some genuinely don't have any snow driving skills, I know a few who would crash at the first corner. Back to answer your question, I have driven the saxo in the snow with near bald tyres on. The real problem was the abs going bonkers, ended up having to do a couple of handbrakes with opposite lock. Don't try it at home.

    also +1 on the nexen 2000s, extremely grippy on wet and awesome in the snow.


    Carl, if you're afraid of being stuck: carry a bag of cat litter on the boot.
  47. Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Jul 2011 Newcastle upon Tyne Posts: 7779 Phase 2 VTS , E61 M5
    #47
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Carlvtr88 View Post
    How are your Saxo's in the snow ?

    Just went to pop to the shops and got about 30 foot before my car was sliding and lost all traction.

    I always use a higher gear but this is ridiculous, I am aware my toyo proxes aren't exactly in new condition but this is annoying. My misses fiesta went up there a treat..... She has recently had brand new tyres that's all I can think of.

    You're a bender, how can you not drive a saxo in the snow?
  48. Saxperience Post Whore Joined: May 2006 Kent Posts: 8205 :(s)rac
    #48
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by MuZiZZle View Post
    You're a bender, how can you not drive a saxo in the snow?
    Agreed.

    OP you can't drive bro.
  49. Newbie Joined: May 2011 gravesend Posts: 16 Saxo vtr/vts conversion
    #49
    iv had a little bit of trouble until i let my tyres down abit now works a treat