As I was just about done work this evening, I look out of the window at work, and what did I see, snow pouring down like crazy :scared: I got out into the car park, and the car was covered, I had to scrape it off, and then the journey home began.

This is my first experience driving in it, and it was really scary :scared: We are in Toronto, and the car temp gauge shows -3, and they are talking about it going down more.

I noticed the car system telling me that I have Low Traction, what should I be doing, I have all season tyres now, should I be getting snow tyres? Someone shed some light pls.

We have it too!!!! Yaaaaaaaaay roll on blue skies and sunshine and COLD temperatures to keep all that nasty grey wet matter away!!

Main thing would be slow down a bit. I dont know many people who bother with snow tires. I guess its nice to have them if you dont have anything better to spend $500+ on. Of course, if you stop that much faster with them, then you will get rear ended by the 95% of the population that are on all seasons I guess?

There are a bunch of winter driving tips in the canadiandriver.com website (among others) that seem pretty sensible, but it boils down to dont drive looking through a letterbox, slow down, and be prepared.

Nights like tonight, avoid using high beams in the heavy snowfall...not that there is much oportunity in the GTA anyway...the reflection can be blinding, low beams and fogs if youve got them are better at night in snow. Make sure you have enough washer fluid (the -35 type) the worst thing is running out in intermediate conditions and not being able to see anything at all after its too dry for your wipers to clean the crap of your screen.

Thanks for that Ian. I remember seeing those pics of snow you posted, are you saying you drove in that, on all seasons tyres? How many other people use all seasons tyres here? I noticed when I was breaking, I could hear the break grabbing the road like claws :scared:



Found this whilst I was reading about snow driving.

http://www.flextrax.com/index.html

are they any good?

I have only ever had all seasons here...but then vehicle #1 was a 4x4 Jeep Cherokee, and current vehicle is AWD Subaru. My wifes mazda has all seasons too...but shes canadian and can drive in this stuff in her sleep (and perhaps frequently does :scared: ) She got some prices for snow tires quoted today, so perhaps the thought of two small kids to ferry about is causing her to start to lose her nerve? Very few people where I work (basically only my boss, who also drives a Subaru) bother with winter tires. He only has them as he wants to be able to get down the off road track to his gun club all winter as far as I can tell. If you live far off the beaten track they are probably a good investment, but for most people I wouldnt say they are a necessity, which is not to say that they might not be worth it for the piece of mind they bring (rather like having AWD).

The claw things look neat, but really you are only ever going to put them on once you get seriously stuck anyway so its probably overkill, they arent for daily driving or anything. You should have some sort of traction aid in the car though, just in case, as part of your winter emergency kit...sand, old carpet something like that. Just tie the carpet to a rope, and attach to the car if you have to use it...the novelty of going hunting for it once it get flung over the road into a snowbank wears off after a few goes

Thanks for the canadian driver site, I went on there, and the first picture I saw was of a subaru, and tehy were talking about reliabilty. That has got me curious now, and the fact that it's AWD, we might have to look into this next year when we begin to move into the new house.

I saw this sexy little number, looks better than the mini and VW beetle


http://www.subdriven.com/

I only have all-season tyres on my truck and the Jeep and they work fine. Hubby is talking about getting snow tires when he comes out but not sure whether they are really a necessity to be honest. Our roads are always kept clear and gritted very frequently. I certainly didn't have any trouble last winter.

I don't know what you're all talking about ...

... no snow here

Let's see how long that lasts

LOL!!!

Actually after the lousy weather we have been having over here in Ontario, the snow is a welcome relief! Long may it continue...................well until March anyway..........then I will be ready for summer again!!

I'm surprised at the comments regarding not using snow tires. Out here the majority of people in cars & many in trucks/suv's change to snow tires for the winter. Maybe we get more ice than Ontario>

Anyway, for someone new to driving in signficant snow I would recommend getting some snow tires. The cost is really minimal compared to the benefits & risks.

Mrs AX puts snow tires on her car. I changed the stock tires on my Jeep to a better all terrain pattern that works pretty well in the snow. The key to driving in snow is leave plenty of room and anticipate whats gonna happen! Oh yes and 4x4 doesnt make you stop any quicker!

AX

There's none forecast for the next 14 days, but that doesn't mean anything.

Fortunately there's plenty here ...

Lake Louise ski resort

Calgary could do with a light dusting, every where is dry and brown at the moment so a bit of the white stuff would be good.

But it looks like I won't have to put my snow tires on my mountain bike this coming weekend.

Not sure those would be legal in Ontario as chains and studded tires are not legal here. Apparently the tear up the roads and they can't afford to fix the problems they already have much less more damage from chains.

What I do for the Toronto winter is to put the convertible top up so less snow gets on the seats of my car.

Unlike chains and studs these are legal...there is no metal in contact with the road. Crappy sell them.