Winter Driving?

[rusty1]

So, as many of you know already, I'm a 911 newbie which simply means that I don't know much other than I am having the time of my life driving my cab as much as I can.

I have an '02 911 C4 Cab with 38k miles (IMS retrofit scheduled for next Monday) but I live in CT and come the winter months, it's going to kill me not to be able to drive her. While I have no intention of driving her when its snowing out, I would like to drive her in the winter once the roads are plowed.

My questions are pointed to those who drive their 911's during the cold winter months.

I realize that I will have to get something other than summer tires, which i have on her now and I'm not looking for tire recommendations, at least not yet that is but what am I curious about is the following:

How is the C4 traction in light snow? I realize its not built for it but I am curious.

Would you recommend a seperate set of rims if I go with a seperate set of tires for the winter months or just swap the tires on the gorgeous rims I have already?

What's the big fear over road salt? If you wash the car regularly, does it really matter that much as the cars are rust proofed, no?

Any insight would be greatly appreciated as the thought of not driving her for 3-4 months is killing me. Thanks.

PS - Before you start yelling and screaming, my first instinct was to use the search feature as you would have thought that this topic would have been beaten to death by now but I struggled to find much useful information on it. Blame it on being a newbie but I did at least try the search function.

[tommy3rd]

as a 911 newbie myself, i would also like to know what other north easterners do in the winter months...

[balefire]

I have dedicated rims and winter tires for my C2 w/ PSM.

Driving in the snow is very doable, but requires more throttle modulation than summer driving to prevent oversteer.

PSM is also very helpful in the snow.

Get dedicated snow rims. Every time you mount/dismount tires, you risk injury to the tire sidewall.

Get the narrowest rims that fit your car. (e.g. if 8"/10" was stock, look for that width or thinner, e.g. 7.5"/9.5")

If you get used tires, get winter tires with lots of tread depth.

Wax the car well prior to winter.

Find a location to wash your car. I personally use Griots spray on car wash in my garage.

Have fun this winter!

[ogun228]

Well, this C4S owner used his P-car all winter with dedicated snows (Blizzaks).

Here in NJ roads are plowed quickly and I avoid going out until they are. Strange that I saw very few

P-cars during my travels...guess they are mostly garage queens.

[rusty1]

Thanks for the info all. It looks like I'll be getting a second set of tires for the non-winter months and will likely get a seperate set of rims for them. Anyone have an extra set of 17" rims they are looking to part with for a reasonable price? Need them for winter use.

[whito123]

Go to youtube and search on 996 c4 winter. There are some cool videos of our great cars handling better than SUVs in the snow...

Edited June 22, 2011 by whito123

[andyjoshi]

I drive my 997 C2S in Winter when the roads are clear. I use the same set of rims and just get the tires changed to winter tires. Thinking of buying additional set or rims. Wax before the winter, wash regularly, drive with care and have fun all year long.

Cheers

Edited June 22, 2011 by andyjoshi

[Alfieboy]

I drive my C4 all winter long too, it's actually very good in the snow. I run all weather tires, never experienced any adverse performance due to weather, seems glued to the road - that said, I don't drive it like an idiot in such weather.