Hi, This is for the guys/gals with M6 with or w/out traction control. I was just wondering for the guys/gals that drive their M6 as a daily driver in snow, rain, bad weather, etc... Do you guys use traction control (esp in the snow)? and does it help. Cuz im looking at a 00 firehawk and i dont think it has TCS and since i live in Kansas and it does snow here in the winter time. Im just wondering does TCS help in the winter time when the driving condition isnt the greatest. Also if the car doesnt have TCS is there a trick in driving in the snow/slippery conditions w/out TCS like starting out in second, etc... Hope this thread made sence and thanks for all the help/advice in advance. I use to drive the V6 maro in the winter time, which wasnt too bad but it was also had an A4 w/ SGS but most the time i didnt even use SGS. But i was wondering is there any way to add TCS to a non TCS car?

 

i drive in florida rain with the TCS on alot. it's what i call my "anti-get-in-trouble button".

not sure how it would work in snow. but since trucks and alot of cars (rear wheel drive) have been driven in the snow i can't imagine it's much different in a Fbody.

from what i've heard i would invest in a good set of snow tires!!!

as for putting TCS on a car not equipped with it originally. don't think it's all that easy. brake lines, sensors, actuators...things like that all need to be hooked up. maybe if you had a donor car it would work.

 

Definitely get some snow tires.

IMO, TCS is usless in the winter for competent drivers. The only issues to worry about in this car in the snow would be stopping, and of course ABS takes care of that. I dont drive my Z in the winter but i drove my old Thunderbird SC in the winter and it was fine with no TCS. As long as you dont drive like an idiot, youll be fine.

I would forget about adding TCS to a car that does not have it. Sounds like a huge PITA.

 

I drove my '96 Z28 last winter and had no problems getting around. My car is a M6 without TCS. The key is QUALITY tires if you want to get around fine. I used BFGoodrich 275/40/17 KDWS tires and these tires were fantastic for getting around in the snow and cold wet rain. I honestly could not believe how well these tires did through the whole winter. There were only 2 days I could not drive the car because it snowed over 6" and the roads were not plowed. My car is lowered with the Eibach pro-kit springs and it just sat on top of the snow. But, anything that was 4" or less no problem. I imagine a set of actual snow tires would make driving a piece of cake, but would probably look a little ugly.

Jeff

 

Its possible to get by with out traction control in this damn KS weather.

 

As everyone has already stated, tires are the biggest factor. My choice was Bridgestone Blizzaks (skinny 215's), and I've even driven the car in a bit of snow and ice while breaking in the new 383.

Before the 383 was built, I used my Camaro as a daily commuter ... 100km (60mi) a day, every day, year-round for 7 years. My car has traction control, and I found it to be useful in the winter. TC isn't necessary, but it does make the car idiot-proof.

 

Although I've never driven in the snow (or rain) with my Camaro, I could only think that traction control would be a pain in the ***.

Since it throws the pedal back up into your foot - it doesn't allow you to get into trouble but............it also doesn't allow you to do anything. You'd be completly stuck dead in the water because the car would overide any trying to get out of it.

 

Don't drive in the snow

 

slightly off topic but a buddy of mine has a 6spd 02 Vette with a gear and some small mods with the Traction control and active handling, he turns traction off and leaves active handling on allowing him to have full control of tire spinning but if the car gets too sidways the active handling takes over... with the traction control turned on u cant do **** the computer trys to do everything

 

LOL! That's hilarious! I don't have TCS on my car I have thought about doing an A4-M6 swap.

 

When my car was a 6 speed (no TCS) I got caught in the snow once. Had to go uphill most of the way. It really was not bad at all. Just buy a $500 beater, and let your LS1 sit in the garage. I won't even let my Z28 see ice/rain/sleet/etc. No way in hell would I let a Firehawk out there!

 

Like he said, a beater is the car of choice for winter duty. Just hold off on some mods and get a beater for the winter. But if that's not an option, or you don't want to, then don't be worried about not having tcs. Sure, it's useful (I don't have it but my buddy's 96 Z28 does and it saved his *** once in the rain when he was being a jack*** going in 2nd around a bend, if he sees this) but I wouldn't let it make or break your decision on the car.

 

I'm in New Jersey and we have FAR worse winters!

Tires are key, I have mounted 235 all season tires on some ugly firebird wheels that I sadly drive around on for 2-3 months a year they definately help! snows would be even better!

A LSD is a big benefit (standard on V8 cars, optional on some of the V6's)

Most of the time I've been in the snow with a car with TCS or ASR I turn it off and use the pedel as needed. Sometimes you need to spin some to get out of a rut.

 

i drive my m6 ss with 4.10's in the winter with nitto (not the drag radial) tires. I put a 60lb bag of sand in the trunk and keep asr off. Just don't drive like an idiot. I live in a suburb of chicago and a lot of the streets don't get plowed as fast as they should. best thing i could tell you is plan your routes. try taking the busier streets to assure they are plowed. the beater idea is great but sometimes that is not an option.

 

I would never drive my car in the snow now, but when I did, this is what I found. The traction control makes it harder to keep momentum and makes it easier to get stuck. If youre traveling down a snow-covered road and you have just a small slip, the traction control will keep you from accelerating more, then you have to worry about getting going all over again. My advice is to get snow tires, put weight in the back, turn off the traction control, and drive being prepared to slip and youll do much better.