? for Northerners

JOECHY · 10-30-2009, 07:52 PM

I have noticed that many of you are "hibernating" your Stewies for the winter months. My question is why do you do this? 4-5 months without driving my car would make me go nuts. What is wrong with driving it during the winter? There isn't snow/ice on the ground everyday.

(keep in mind I saw snow for the first time last year so I don't have any real conception of what its like during the winter outside of Texas).

RL1924 · 10-30-2009, 09:51 PM

I drive mine all year round. When theres snow on the road it stays in the drive way but as soon as I can shovel her out shes back on the road, But its not half as fun as the summer months top down for sure. If I could stop spending money on mods for the S and buy another winter truck I would for sure

H20 · 10-31-2009, 02:56 AM

I dont hibernater her. Just driver when the day is nice.

Java Junky · 10-31-2009, 04:42 AM

With winter hoopz snow'n Stewie're'a fun combination. 'Never understood how so many folks'd allow'emselvez'da miss oud'onn'att.
'Granted, wit'da lack'a ground clearance, yer not gonna be goin' out reliably in anything more'n 3 inchez (especially once itt'z frozen'n become jagged, plastic-eatin' chunkz) azz'da best snow'z in'a worl' ain't gonna'doo'diddly when the li'l fellerz belly'z upp on'a snow'n thoze snowz're a'spinnin' in'a air.
When yuh come right down too'itt . . . winter'z jus' like summer.
Only colder.

Jim21680 · 10-31-2009, 08:20 AM

I can understand for some people in some climates, but here in Philadelphia, there's certainly no need for Stewie to hibernate. As I've learned from experience, summer tires can be pesky little devils when the mercury drops, but if you drive with any bit of sanity & common sense, they'll get you through. I'm afraid that getting a set of winter tires might give me a false sense of security. It's STILL a light, rwd sports car! Anyway, I'm happy to drive it just about year round, unless there's lots of ice or road salt sitting around. Then, I'll use a truck, or just not drive.

Lucic · 10-31-2009, 08:25 AM

Just like JJ said, the ground clearance is a big thing. On days where there's a foot or more of snow on the road, that's just asking for trouble. Not to mention the front lip acting as a plow.....probably not a good idea. Salt on the roads is another factor to a certain degree. Keep in mind how hard some people make it look to drive in clear conditions when visibility is good. Now throw in 3 feet of heavy snow, icy roads, high winds and low visibility and you can see why many people park their cars until spring. It makes that first drive in the spring something special let me tell you. Something that I"ll be looking forward to here pretty soon.

Java Junky · 10-31-2009, 09:19 AM

Jim, jus'fer the record: z'I ain't read upp onn'itt'uv late, the wordin'z prob'ly not quite "azz written", but the tire manufacturerz flat-out tell'yuh not'ta run summer hoopz in less'n 'roun' 45 degreez on account'a the summer rubber bein' so hard'n ungrippy.
Thing'uv'itt'izz . . yuh'kin be'z careful'z yuh want . . budd'itt'z'da surprize whut gett'z'yuh every time.
Yuh wanna keep summer-like grip on'a cold winter pavement, yuh godda switch'da rubber meant for colder tempz. 'Makez'a difference between goin' out nervous'n only relaxin' once she'z parked, 'r, goin' out lookin' forward't the ride same'z summer.
Aaaay!
All'itt takez'izz once, y'know?

Red Fun for 2 · 10-31-2009, 09:52 AM

Stewie is my third car not my DD, this is also my first winter with her, I just don't expect to drive her that much as the weather gets colder. Now that being said I am also concerned about withdrawl, this car is so addicting, so we'll see how long it lasts of keeping her put away. Also my car was a garage queen when I got her, she has alot of dust and dirt in the interior and I plan to pull things off on the interior and give her a serious cleaning this winter.

H20 · 10-31-2009, 10:11 AM

I forgot to mention that I run Khumo ASX all seasons during the cold weather. 215/255's. Nice combo. Squirms a bit but grips like crazy when it's cold.

TheCarGuy2021 · 10-31-2009, 11:34 AM

When I lived in Cleveland I daily drove my S through 3 winters. It wasn't bad, I just hated all the unnecessary (in my opinion) salt. Up here in Northern Michigan, there's not much of a choice. It's not unusual to not be able to see the road for weeks at a time (they use sand, salt doesn't work too well up here) and get 10+ inches overnight. I picked up a Toyota Tercel for cheap and threw some snowbies on it, after 2 winters here so far I feel it was a good choice.

My morning drive usually looks something like this.

This was after the plowman came through

Java Junky · 10-31-2009, 01:52 PM

Oh ye of serious white-stuff.
Some great shots CG.
Yeah. That kind'a snow'd definitely keep Stewie parked.
Definitely.

s2000isu · 10-31-2009, 02:24 PM

I dont drive mine in the winter because I cant beat on it in the winter and I dont drive it unless I am going to beat on it. Oh and I need to keep it under 5k a year and thats a good way to do it.

Jim21680 · 10-31-2009, 02:51 PM

One thing all you winterizers are missing is the winter air's fun. When it gets cold, Stewie gets fast.

Yep, you're missing it all! (That is, unless your car is blown, in which case your Stewie is faster even on a hot day that my stock stewie is on the coldest of days). But still...

Java Junky · 10-31-2009, 03:50 PM

Dunno Jim.
Down below 45 wit' Stewie'z topp inn'itt'z natural position (down'a course) dere'z plenty'a "fun" inn'a air.

TheSoundMan21 · 10-31-2009, 04:23 PM

yeah Carguy Oklahoma would look like that maybe 2 times a year... for around a week. Needless to say the S stayed parked. But cold air heck yeah im top down all the time.

Dalesman · 10-31-2009, 05:36 PM

Mine doesnt come out much in winter unless its a nice day!
I have a diesel Golf which sleeps outside so I use that most of the time.
The Golf is sort of a company car so I might as well save mine, which is usually tucked away in the garage all minted up

Les

Red Fun for 2 · 10-31-2009, 05:49 PM

CG - Great pictures, reminds me of what my commute was like about 15 years ago. I grew up in East Lansing, so I can relate to the amount of snow you get each year.

lonestarbuzz · 11-02-2009, 10:27 AM

i drive with the top down during the winter, it's the best season. oh wait, i'm assuming you mean folks moar norther of dallas.

Htowniman · 11-02-2009, 10:51 AM

Do you guys start the car once a week or change the tire position?

Sitting the tire in same position for four months that will mess up the tire, right? How does the battery hold up?

Winter is a good month in TX to put the top down, Summer is just too hot with the top down in here.

10-30-2009, 07:52 PM	#1 (permalink)
JOECHY Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 568	? for Northerners I have noticed that many of you are "hibernating" your Stewies for the winter months. My question is why do you do this? 4-5 months without driving my car would make me go nuts. What is wrong with driving it during the winter? There isn't snow/ice on the ground everyday. (keep in mind I saw snow for the first time last year so I don't have any real conception of what its like during the winter outside of Texas).

10-31-2009, 04:42 AM	#4 (permalink)
Java Junky Resident Curmudgeon Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Joisey Posts: 6,628	With winter hoopz snow'n Stewie're'a fun combination. 'Never understood how so many folks'd allow'emselvez'da miss oud'onn'att. 'Granted, wit'da lack'a ground clearance, yer not gonna be goin' out reliably in anything more'n 3 inchez (especially once itt'z frozen'n become jagged, plastic-eatin' chunkz) azz'da best snow'z in'a worl' ain't gonna'doo'diddly when the li'l fellerz belly'z upp on'a snow'n thoze snowz're a'spinnin' in'a air. When yuh come right down too'itt . . . winter'z jus' like summer. Only colder. __________________ In life-long pursuit of that most mythic of beasts: the ever-elusive perfect corner. Well . . . that, r' at least a whole lodda clear spin-out room.

10-31-2009, 08:20 AM	#5 (permalink)
Jim21680 Senior Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Philadelphia, PA Posts: 365	I can understand for some people in some climates, but here in Philadelphia, there's certainly no need for Stewie to hibernate. As I've learned from experience, summer tires can be pesky little devils when the mercury drops, but if you drive with any bit of sanity & common sense, they'll get you through. I'm afraid that getting a set of winter tires might give me a false sense of security. It's STILL a light, rwd sports car! Anyway, I'm happy to drive it just about year round, unless there's lots of ice or road salt sitting around. Then, I'll use a truck, or just not drive. __________________

10-31-2009, 09:19 AM	#7 (permalink)
Java Junky Resident Curmudgeon Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Joisey Posts: 6,628	Jim, jus'fer the record: z'I ain't read upp onn'itt'uv late, the wordin'z prob'ly not quite "azz written", but the tire manufacturerz flat-out tell'yuh not'ta run summer hoopz in less'n 'roun' 45 degreez on account'a the summer rubber bein' so hard'n ungrippy. Thing'uv'itt'izz . . yuh'kin be'z careful'z yuh want . . budd'itt'z'da surprize whut gett'z'yuh every time. Yuh wanna keep summer-like grip on'a cold winter pavement, yuh godda switch'da rubber meant for colder tempz. 'Makez'a difference between goin' out nervous'n only relaxin' once she'z parked, 'r, goin' out lookin' forward't the ride same'z summer. Aaaay! All'itt takez'izz once, y'know? __________________ In life-long pursuit of that most mythic of beasts: the ever-elusive perfect corner. Well . . . that, r' at least a whole lodda clear spin-out room. Last edited by Java Junky; 10-31-2009 at 09:49 AM.

10-31-2009, 09:52 AM	#8 (permalink)
Red Fun for 2 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Eastern PA Posts: 101	Stewie is my third car not my DD, this is also my first winter with her, I just don't expect to drive her that much as the weather gets colder. Now that being said I am also concerned about withdrawl, this car is so addicting, so we'll see how long it lasts of keeping her put away. Also my car was a garage queen when I got her, she has alot of dust and dirt in the interior and I plan to pull things off on the interior and give her a serious cleaning this winter. __________________ Young enough to buy it Old enough to afford it!

10-30-2009, 09:51 PM	#2 (permalink)
RL1924 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: NJ Posts: 2,037	I drive mine all year round. When theres snow on the road it stays in the drive way but as soon as I can shovel her out shes back on the road, But its not half as fun as the summer months top down for sure. If I could stop spending money on mods for the S and buy another winter truck I would for sure

10-31-2009, 02:56 AM	#3 (permalink)
H20 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: CT, USA Posts: 777	I dont hibernater her. Just driver when the day is nice.

10-31-2009, 08:25 AM	#6 (permalink)
Lucic Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Burlington, Ontario Posts: 20	Just like JJ said, the ground clearance is a big thing. On days where there's a foot or more of snow on the road, that's just asking for trouble. Not to mention the front lip acting as a plow.....probably not a good idea. Salt on the roads is another factor to a certain degree. Keep in mind how hard some people make it look to drive in clear conditions when visibility is good. Now throw in 3 feet of heavy snow, icy roads, high winds and low visibility and you can see why many people park their cars until spring. It makes that first drive in the spring something special let me tell you. Something that I"ll be looking forward to here pretty soon.

10-31-2009, 10:11 AM	#9 (permalink)
H20 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: CT, USA Posts: 777	I forgot to mention that I run Khumo ASX all seasons during the cold weather. 215/255's. Nice combo. Squirms a bit but grips like crazy when it's cold.

10-31-2009, 11:34 AM	#10 (permalink)
TheCarGuy2021 Car Dummy Join Date: May 2008 Location: Michigan Posts: 803	When I lived in Cleveland I daily drove my S through 3 winters. It wasn't bad, I just hated all the unnecessary (in my opinion) salt. Up here in Northern Michigan, there's not much of a choice. It's not unusual to not be able to see the road for weeks at a time (they use sand, salt doesn't work too well up here) and get 10+ inches overnight. I picked up a Toyota Tercel for cheap and threw some snowbies on it, after 2 winters here so far I feel it was a good choice. My morning drive usually looks something like this. This was after the plowman came through

10-31-2009, 01:52 PM	#11 (permalink)
Java Junky Resident Curmudgeon Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Joisey Posts: 6,628	Oh ye of *serious* white-stuff. Some great shots CG. Yeah. That kind'a snow'd definitely keep Stewie parked. Definitely. __________________ In life-long pursuit of that most mythic of beasts: the ever-elusive perfect corner. Well . . . that, r' at least a whole lodda clear spin-out room.

10-31-2009, 02:24 PM	#12 (permalink)
s2000isu Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: pa Posts: 1,771	I dont drive mine in the winter because I cant beat on it in the winter and I dont drive it unless I am going to beat on it. Oh and I need to keep it under 5k a year and thats a good way to do it. __________________ S2kx2: "paint it pink! Or better yet buy a Miata" 2001 Vortech SC 12.8 at 111 miles per hour

10-31-2009, 02:51 PM	#13 (permalink)
Jim21680 Senior Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Philadelphia, PA Posts: 365	One thing all you winterizers are missing is the winter air's fun. When it gets cold, Stewie gets fast. Yep, you're missing it all! (That is, unless your car is blown, in which case your Stewie is faster even on a hot day that my stock stewie is on the coldest of days). But still... __________________

10-31-2009, 03:50 PM	#14 (permalink)
Java Junky Resident Curmudgeon Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Joisey Posts: 6,628	Dunno Jim. Down below 45 wit' Stewie'z topp inn'itt'z natural position (down'a course) dere'z plenty'a "fun" inn'a air. __________________ In life-long pursuit of that most mythic of beasts: the ever-elusive perfect corner. Well . . . that, r' at least a whole lodda clear spin-out room.

10-31-2009, 05:36 PM	#16 (permalink)
Dalesman Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Yorkshire Dales in the UK Posts: 3	Winter driving Mine doesnt come out much in winter unless its a nice day! I have a diesel Golf which sleeps outside so I use that most of the time. The Golf is sort of a company car so I might as well save mine, which is usually tucked away in the garage all minted up Les

10-31-2009, 05:49 PM	#17 (permalink)
Red Fun for 2 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Eastern PA Posts: 101	CG - Great pictures, reminds me of what my commute was like about 15 years ago. I grew up in East Lansing, so I can relate to the amount of snow you get each year. __________________ Young enough to buy it Old enough to afford it!

11-02-2009, 10:51 AM	#19 (permalink)
Htowniman Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 26	Do you guys start the car once a week or change the tire position? Sitting the tire in same position for four months that will mess up the tire, right? How does the battery hold up? Winter is a good month in TX to put the top down, Summer is just too hot with the top down in here.

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