Corollas and snow

[Sky81]

Hi, I was wondering how Corollas handle in snow. I already own one that I love, but recently moved to Montana from Florida and have never driven it in snow. As long as I get good snow tires and drive pretty careful, should the car handle it, or should I invest in something else. Seems early to be asking I know, but people said it started to snow in late SEPT up here last year so I want to be prepared, and have time to look for something else if need be.

[mikered30]

Might want to get a set (4) of dedicated snow tires if you have the money to help on the snow and ice. Any set of snow tires will be way better than the 3 season tires you probably have. You can buy steel wheels from a junk yard (depending if you have TPMS) and get some snows. I highly recommend General AltiMAX Arctic or Bridgestone Blizzak WS70. Studded tires may not be allowed where you live and those snows should be fine by themselves. Check online for the tires when they go on sale, maybe you can find a local mechanic that can mount and balance them.

You may also want to winterize your car. Switch to synthetic fluids (oil, tranny, powersteering), battery blanket or just get a new one that has a way higher CCA rating than the one you have, block or oil heater, coolant temp check or a drain and refill. Since you never drove in snow, I highly recommend staying off the road until you can mess around in a parking lot covered in snow and predict how your car handles in the snow. I think you will find it predictable in the snow, but difficult on the ice.

[PhantomS]

Originally Posted by Sky81

Hi, I was wondering how Corollas handle in snow. I already own one that I love, but recently moved to Montana from Florida and have never driven it in snow. As long as I get good snow tires and drive pretty careful, should the car handle it, or should I invest in something else. Seems early to be asking I know, but people said it started to snow in late SEPT up here last year so I want to be prepared, and have time to look for something else if need be.

Corollas are perfectly fine in snow, provided you don't stomp the gas while turning, or in snow that's deeper than the bottom of the car Dedicated snow tires is a good idea, as I'm sure they really get some snow up that way, but I lived in MI for about 12 years driving fwd cars on all-season tires and never really had any trouble - just gotta learn what the car is gonna do.....the advice of practicing on a snow covered parking lot is a good idea. In fact, that reminds me...... the very first day I learned to drive when my permit came was in a '75 Celica GT in a snow covered lot....great way to learn to drive a stick, quite honestly, although rwd vs fwd is apples and oranges when talkin''bout driving in slippery conditions. I'd still prefer rwd, but, oh well ..... no matter to me, we get little snow here in the foothills of the Smokies in TN.