GTO v. Snow - A Review

[Bobby_b]

So, here in MN, we've now had about 8 inches of the white stuff. My GTO is going to be my Daily Driver, and I've been pretty nervous about how it would handle in the snow. Would I need snow tires? Would I need to park it and drive the Suburban?

No worries.

Of the approximately twenty cars I've had, (not counting trucks, 4X4's, etc.), the GTO is in the top 30%-45% in terms of ability to start, stop, and track in snow.

Maybe it's because the tires are still newer (10k miles), but it goes just fine. I'm going to bag the idea of snow tires for this year.

I still haven't encountered real glare ice, and I'm still a little nervous about how it'll do then, but, so far, I'm happy. The GTO is a northern car too!

[Mister Skizzels]

[QUOTE=Bobby_b] Would I need snow tires? Would I QUOTE]

YES!!!

My tires had around 10k of spirited driving / burnouts on them.

You dont want to be stuck with this car in the snow, get some snow
tires stat!!!

I went with Dunlop M3 Sports...can't go wrong.

I had blizzacks, but they were WAY TOO SOFT!!

[CSiJason]

The stock tires are next to worthless in deep snow FYI.

[rawmar]

The stock tires on my old '04 did fine in snow last winter. During one of the storms, there were like 1-2 inches of snow fully covering the whole highway that I was one and I went through there alright. This year I have summer tires on my new goat and so far they have been doing good for the first three snow falls. Tomorrow is yet another snow fall day :banghead: We will see how that goes...

[ShAkZ05GTO]

Here in germany, if you have a wreck with summer tires on in the winter time, your insurance won't cover the cost of the accident. No matter what.

[GMH GTO]

I only had problems with snow covered inclines from a dead stop last winter, dunno if i'm gonna be driving my GTO this winter, find out this week. If I was, i'd be putting some perreli or blizzak winter hoops on.

[Trapper]

I just had the M3's put on yesterday. We have not had any deep snow here in my part of MI yet, but even in the small stuff I was not happy. The very first snow was about 2", and the front end plowed like a pig when I turned into a slushy parking lot at about 5 mph. I thought I was going to curb it for sure, but got lucky. The OE tires only have about 6,000 miles on them at that.

Our subdivision has a community mail box near the entrance, which just happens to be on an incline. Getting it to move from a dead stop up that incline was not impressive either.

The way I looked at it was, my insurance deductible is $500, and the tires cost about $670 including mounting and balancing. They will last three winters, based on my experience with M2's on my GTP. So if I miss out on one accident I'm ahead of the game, considering I'm also not putting miles on the summer tires.

I guess it all depends on your location, traffic, and how slow and cautious you can drive when it snows.

[LordGriNz]

Dont try the stock tires on hard packed snow, you wont even be able to
move....Get snow tires before we read about another GTO wreck.

[emg32]

I've got some Toyo Proxies on my GTO. They are suppose to be all season tires but I don't know if they are worth a crap in the snow or not. They may be just summer/rain tires. I havn't got to try them out in the snow yet.

[par1969]

Took my GTO out in the snow for the first time. Turning and stoping athough bad was better than I expected. Getting the car going was another story. I have driven may cars that were bad in snow and from a getting going stand point the GTO is the worst. With 2 inches of snow I could barely get going on a level road. Sense this is my daily driver company car, snow tires will definitely be in its future.

[torridredgoat]

I put on a set on Blizzak WS 50's a couple weeks ago and they are awesome in the snow. We've had a couple 4 in snowfalls here and they hook up right away with minimal spinning. It is true they are soft and don't handle the greatest but I guess I would rather be able to get around in any weather. Especially when it's only for three months out of the year!

[Pont3]

It's clear that most of you only have experience with FWD or 4WD. I've lived in the St. Louis area since 1993 and have driven RWD exclusively through the past 13 winters. None of them even had traction control and not once was I unable to reach my destination safely and on time. Snow is no problem for most RWD vehicles. Hell, all of the Police Crown Vics are RWD only, and you never see them stuck. If you drive like an idiot on packed snow or ice, nothing will save you. Use a little common sense and you'll be surprised how many FWD, AWD, and 4WD vehicles you pass requiring a tow while you motor on about your business.

[Mexirican007]

Do I have to get 245 45 zr17 snow tires or would 245 45 r17 regulars ones work??? Also how about 225 45 17???

[LordGriNz]

Took my GTO out in the snow for the first time. Turning and stoping athough bad was better than I expected. Getting the car going was another story. I have driven may cars that were bad in snow and from a getting going stand point the GTO is the worst. With 2 inches of snow I could barely get going on a level road. Sense this is my daily driver company car, snow tires will definitely be in its future.

Been there, done that.....last year I was out front of the apartment stuck
on 1" of hard packed snow, would not budge from a stop, took me 15 minutes to
spin thru the snow to the tar before it got moving. There is now Dunlop
M3's on the car, hopefully this time around will be better.

[LordGriNz]

It's clear that most of you only have experience with FWD or 4WD. I've lived in the St. Louis area since 1993 and have driven RWD exclusively through the past 13 winters. None of them even had traction control and not once was I unable to reach my destination safely and on time. Snow is no problem for most RWD vehicles. Hell, all of the Police Crown Vics are RWD only, and you never see them stuck. If you drive like an idiot on packed snow or ice, nothing will save you. Use a little common sense and you'll be surprised how many FWD, AWD, and 4WD vehicles you pass requiring a tow while you motor on about your business.

Kind of an arrogant statement, I've also driven RWD, V8, Manual cars for
many years, and this car sucks in the snow with the stock tires. This coming
from a man who thought his 1984 Camaro Z28 with a 5 speed and a set of
Dunlop GT Qualifiers, was one of my best cars ever in the snow.

[Mexirican007]

Do I have to get 245 45 zr17 snow tires or would 245 45 r17 regulars ones work??? Also how about 225 45 17???
I know it is a noob question but someone help

[Roadmaster]

The Z28 was so terrible in the snow, it was officially parked for the winter. I'll never forget putting the car in drive, foot on brake and rear tires start spinning at idle.....

I'm sure the GTO is about the same way.

[LordGriNz]

I know it is a noob question but someone help

I went with the stock size tires, and the ZR is a speed rating. The "R" you
are qouting is missing something. Is there another number on the tire specs?
Like 95H or 99V or something? The "95" is a load weight and the letter is the
speed rating.

This is what I bought --->Dunlop SP Winter Sport M3's (245/45HR17 95H)

The HR in the middle doesnt need to be there anymore I dont believe, but
the "95H" answers the question. "95" = 1521 lbs and "H" = 130 MPH.

And if you go 225's, you'll need 225/50/17's

[rcpepper]

Got on some ice last winter trying to cross a bridge here in Minot. 30mph speed limit and steep uphill bridge (up and over railroad) and gave just a little gas to climb the hill and turned mine sideways. Didn't hit anything, but it happened so fast the traction control didn't even react. I went down there yesterday, and many cars were sliding around on that bridge, and I was in my truck. Got up just fine, but trying to start off from the stoplight at the end of the bridge, and you could feel the wheels spinning scrambling for traction. There was a good 1/4 inch of ice covering most of that bridge.

[GTO1_OHIO]

Bottom line is we lost a good number of goats last winter and we're sure to lose quite a few this winter, the accidents have already started. Your odds are better with a winter tire no matter what your winter driving experience. :judge:

[traumadog]

I went with the stock size tires, and the ZR is a speed rating. The "R" you
are qouting is missing something. Is there another number on the tire specs?
Like 95H or 99V or something? The "95" is a load weight and the letter is the
speed rating.

This is what I bought --->Dunlop SP Winter Sport M3's (245/45HR17 95H)

The HR in the middle doesnt need to be there anymore I dont believe, but
the "95H" answers the question. "95" = 1521 lbs and "H" = 130 MPH.

And if you go 225's, you'll need 225/50/17's

I've got 225/50/17 Blizzak WS-50's on my stockers - and though they are a bit more squirmy than the stock rubber, they've never left me with any snow traction issues - and we get ~100" of snow per year up here.

[noob]

I grew up driving RWD cars in snow. First car was a '69 Grand Prix with a 428, but it got studded snows in the winter. The stock tires on the GTO are crap in the snow, barely passable even if they've got plenty of tread left. Unless you've got decent snow tires, don't risk your goat in the snow. A set of snow tires is cheaper than a new car.

[par1969]

It's clear that most of you only have experience with FWD or 4WD. I've lived in the St. Louis area since 1993 and have driven RWD exclusively through the past 13 winters. None of them even had traction control and not once was I unable to reach my destination safely and on time. Snow is no problem for most RWD vehicles. Hell, all of the Police Crown Vics are RWD only, and you never see them stuck. If you drive like an idiot on packed snow or ice, nothing will save you. Use a little common sense and you'll be surprised how many FWD, AWD, and 4WD vehicles you pass requiring a tow while you motor on about your business.


Around here you won't see any Crown Vics running performance tires in the winter. If you feel the GTO is good in snow you don't have the RWD experience you stated. St. Louis also hardly had the winters most northern states have, hardly an good example. I need to get places in winter and the GTO on snow barely gets going. Yes I could not "drive like an idiot" and go 2 1/2 mph but with a good set of winter tires I can drive at a prudent speed much safer.

[NeveGTO]

GTO isn't too terrible. I mean it's liveable. wish I had my GTP still, but I'll survive. I do however, wish I could afford snow tires, or hell, even new stockers.

[gotzaGTO]

my crown vic squad sucks in the snow too, but i dont care cause if i crash it, it aint my car!!! .... but if you think the GTO is bad in the snow, you all should have tried to drive my 87' Firebird..... that car SUCKED in the snow!!!!

[GTO Captain]

I thought the stock tires were supposed to be all weather tires. WHats the difference with snow tires?:huh:

[GTObsessor]

If i were you, i'd get some decent snow tires just for the winter... once it starts clearing up again, throw your stock rubber back on. I'd reccomend doing this for front and back tires, BTW.

[Slappy3243]

Well I just drove through the snow on my stock tires and the car did better then I expected it to. :cool: My Dunlop Wintersport M3's were delivered today though and I will install them this weekend. I take no chances. I will be selling the stock rubber as soon as the snow tires are put on :)

[Bx Tpr]

Drove a 96 Impala SS through one winter and I never had a incident. As stated above, if you drive responsibly you'll never have an issue. If you drive like a moron you're going to end up paying for it. Hopefully with your wallet and not your life.

[nailbomb]

I drove mine around thanksgiving in Maine where my folks live with stock tires. there was snow on the ground, although not a lot.was not too bad at all although i would be driving pretty slow if I were you.

[dizz81]

ok so I have the 18" wheel package on my 05, what tire size would I be able to fit on them if I was going to get snow tires?

[6spdgoat]

Drove my GTO in the snow last year with stock tires and it was not pretty, the car does okay, but I don't want to wreck it. I bought a set of Dunlop M3s, but have not had them in the snow yet.

Someone made a comment about cops driving crown Vics. I have a nephew who is a cop and every winter someone in his department wrecks a crown vic, they suck in the snow.

[8100hammer]

My goat tracks better in the snow, than my 01 chevy hd did in 2-wheel drive. Actually I think it drives rather nice in the snow. Even though I still have the stockers on still. But do have to comment about the take off, it is hard to get moving sometimes. I take off the T/C if I have major problem getting moving. Just countersteer though it. but leave on t/c when around town and highway already moving.

One thing I do not like is how the snow packs in the wheel wells, forms into big ass ice chucks, and little ice chunks off under hard acceration, hitting the underside of the car. they fill up pretty quick, if the snow is somewhat sticky. starting to get a nice stack of them ice chunks in my driveway.


In all, GTO very do-able all-season car even if it has 400hp to tame.

[TurkeyHawk]

Would I need to park it and drive the Suburban?


In a word, YES! Why risk it? Any time you the wheel in your hand and all that power under your foot, you'll be tempted to do donuts and power slide in snowy conditions. This is when you meet obstacles quickly and with incident. Be kind to the Goat, let her sit.

I still haven't encountered real glare ice, and I'm still a little nervous about how it'll do then, but, so far, I'm happy.

Glare Ice is glare ice, nothing will be "good" or "above average". I would be a little nervous about how it will handle it too, sounds like your looking for some to try it?[/QUOTE]

[Z28PHREAK]

Reading this makes me so glad that I live in Texas. This whole "winter/summer tire and putting a car up for the winter" thing sounds like the biggest ass-whip ever. I feel for ya!

[JoeyH]

ok so I have the 18" wheel package on my 05, what tire size would I be able to fit on them if I was going to get snow tires?

Hey Dizz81 - Your stock 18" tire size is 235/40-18. You have summer-only tires if they are the stock 18s, so yes, you should invest in snows.

Not sure what the roads are like in your area of the snow belt, but here in Michigan they get pretty bad with pot holes and such. I would recommend that you purchase a 2nd set of rims and purchase snow tires for those. I'd also recommend getting the 17 inch rims as you have a bit more forgiveness with both the tire and rim damage due to road hazzards. The trade off of running 18s are that you either increase pressure to save the tire/rim from damage, or you reduce pressure to increase snow traction.

I'm running 235/45-17 which is very close to the 18inch stock diameter. Others run the 245/45-17 which is the 17 inch stock size.

Do a search on "snow", "snow tires", "winter" and you should get some good reading from others here on this site.

Good luck in your decision.

Joe

[Sid3ways s13]

Glare Ice is glare ice, nothing will be "good" or "above average". I would be a little nervous about how it will handle it too, sounds like your looking for some to try it?

Been there done that. Driving down a cleared off highway I drove under an overpass that apparently had been dripping water onto the highway. I was doing 60 mph at the time (on stock tires) and driving in 6th gear at like 1300 rpms still decided to make the back end drift about 5 feet to the left. Scared the hell out of me I was driving at a 25 degree angle. Tires finally caught about 40 feet down the road and I had to countersteer to save the car. Now (especially at night when I can't tell if its wet or black ice) I drive slow as hell when on stock tires.

[dizz81]

Hey Dizz81 - Your stock 18" tire size is 235/40-18. You have summer-only tires if they are the stock 18s, so yes, you should invest in snows.

Not sure what the roads are like in your area of the snow belt, but here in Michigan they get pretty bad with pot holes and such. I would recommend that you purchase a 2nd set of rims and purchase snow tires for those. I'd also recommend getting the 17 inch rims as you have a bit more forgiveness with both the tire and rim damage due to road hazzards. The trade off of running 18s are that you either increase pressure to save the tire/rim from damage, or you reduce pressure to increase snow traction.

I'm running 235/45-17 which is very close to the 18inch stock diameter. Others run the 245/45-17 which is the 17 inch stock size.

Do a search on "snow", "snow tires", "winter" and you should get some good reading from others here on this site.

Good luck in your decision.

Joe


Thanks a ton man..

[shutemup]

I drove mine home in a couple inches of snow last winter. Stop and go traffic (I was in Northern Virginia) Having to take off in 3rd gear........It was hell.

This is coming from someone that had a 2wd pickup (4sp) as a daily driver in Alaska for 2 years.

The only way I would drive it in the snow again is with studded tires. Guess it's a good thing I moved to Vegas :P