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Post by auroralover on Dec 22, 2004 17:56:29 GMT -6
It snowed about 9" here today and this is the first time I've driven my 97 in the snow. One question-when the traction control engages, should I keep accelerating or let off the gas? When I kept my foot on the accelerator, my traction did NOT improve. Am I not doing something right? Very disappointed in the performance of my car in the snow today. My 2001 3.5 without traction control does better. BTW, Goodyear Eagle RSA's on the 01 and Michelin Energy MXV4"s on the 97.
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Post by stevensolds on Dec 22, 2004 18:32:16 GMT -6
i just turn traction off, snow or rain or whatever. rather spin the tires than have to waste that motor or whatever else will end up needing replacing someday
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Post by JimW on Dec 22, 2004 18:45:41 GMT -6
Ease up off the accelerator when the TC engages, let it do its job. The more you continue to spin the tires the less chance the car has to find traction and get you steering straight and true again.
However the classic Aurora is not a very good winter driver car, that I can agreed 100% with. Also the stock Michelins are a bad winter tire IMO. I'm living with them because I live less then 3 miles from my work, and I can walk/bus if the weather is horrible. Granted, the stock 235 tire makes things a bit tricky as well. Most winter tires have a narrower tread and higher sidewall, this allows for more downward pressure due to more weight on a narrower patch of tire.
Ensure your tires are properly inflated and consider a set of winter tires for your car. 215/65/16's should do nicely, but lemme confirm that size for you.
Hrm, It might be 215/70s to ensure the 27.1" tire height, you'd need a tire calculator to make sure of that.
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scottydl
Super Moderator
There's nothin' like an American V-8...
Posts: 7,373
Staff Member
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Post by scottydl on Dec 22, 2004 18:55:44 GMT -6
Traction control or not (with ANY car), I don't think you should modify your driving in poor road conditions. Drive just like you would without the TC (letting up on the gas whenever you lose traction as JimW stated), and then it will help you out but you won't be dependent on it. Don't become like the annual SUV winter morons, who always end up in the ditch because they think their 4x4 will drive through ANYTHING.
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Post by stevensolds on Dec 22, 2004 19:41:37 GMT -6
i know, every now and then someone around here flips their Ford Explorer on its roof because they skid on a patch of ice while going 35 or 40 mph. Me and my dad always said the same thing as you scotty lol
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Post by JimW on Dec 22, 2004 20:11:22 GMT -6
Go figure my mom just bought a new Durango 4.7SLT Magnum, but anyway, yes, be careful on the roads this winter.
Hey Roralover, take off the Michelins, or at least have em checked for low tread, I bet less then 50% life and they are useless in the snow.
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Post by stevensolds on Dec 22, 2004 20:37:40 GMT -6
i dont drive my aurora in snow, i drive my moms explorer V8
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Post by Aurora40 on Dec 22, 2004 21:05:53 GMT -6
Like was said, back off the gas when you loose traction. The TC will help, but you need to still drive carefully.
With tires, the age and treadlife can make a difference. Also, are your MXV4's the Plusses, or no? The Plusses supposedly have better all-weather ability and longer treadlife.
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Post by stevensolds on Dec 22, 2004 21:12:50 GMT -6
My front tires are shot --- too many burnouts. just had them replaced when i got the car in july too. 80 bucks a piece
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Post by stevensolds on Dec 22, 2004 21:26:21 GMT -6
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Post by alijonny on Dec 23, 2004 3:02:52 GMT -6
i have heard that the bfgoodrich comp ta kdws' are great tires in the snow. and they sell for just over $100 a piece thru discount tire co.
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Post by auroralover on Dec 23, 2004 4:18:56 GMT -6
Yes, the MXV4's are the plusses and are brand new, well, 7000 miles.
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Post by stevensolds on Dec 23, 2004 8:51:07 GMT -6
are they "sticky"? i mean, do they grab the road and hold it real well? are they worth the 148 dollars is what im trying to say.
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Post by Aurora40 on Dec 23, 2004 9:05:45 GMT -6
Yes, the MXV4's are the plusses and are brand new, well, 7000 miles. I've found these to do fine in the snow I've been in. I think you just need to modify your driving habits. Traction control will help you get acceleration traction, not help you keep from sliding off the road or anything. And it only helps you. You need to drive appropriate to the conditions. Let us know how you feel about the car when you don't keep your right foot planted...
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Post by Custom88 on Dec 23, 2004 23:08:16 GMT -6
I've found that with the G body it seems to help to add some weight to the trunk. THe rear end seems to be too light. I've had spin-out problems with my Riviera. The rear end just seems extremely unstable. Our SSEi which is also a G-body doesn't suffer from the unstability in the snow though. Seems something was corrected in 2000+ on the G bodies.
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Post by JimW on Dec 24, 2004 8:01:00 GMT -6
I'd like to temporarily take back what I said about the Symmetry/Energy combo I have on my car. We got hit with a huge snow/sleet/freezing rain/ice storm. And the car handled admirably. I was impressed...and sorta suprised!
I think the problem occurs when we only get a dusting of snow and the road gets greasy as opposed to a big snowfall in which the car handled itself very confidently.
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Post by Custom88 on Dec 24, 2004 8:48:31 GMT -6
I noticed this too. In deep snow the car does wonderful but if there's only around an inch, and it involves slush it's a no-go. There's an Extremely unstable feeling when there's slush. Bad enough i don't want to even drive my car!
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Post by stevensolds on Dec 24, 2004 9:00:33 GMT -6
jim i have noticed that too. we had slush the other day here and i had to drive really slow. didnt want to drive at all and felt bad taking the car through it.
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Post by Letitroll98 on Dec 27, 2004 19:20:04 GMT -6
I'll jump in the deep stuff here with some observations from my recent cross country trip to Pittsburgh, PA over the Christmas weekend. No problems whatsoever in light snow. TC and Antilock took over in every instance for a completely uneventful trip. Not like my 4x4 truck, but no massive slides or wheel spinning.
I had heard the Aurora was no good in snow and was expecting a tense experience. Maybe we've found one thing the no good Goodyear Integrity's do well, winter traction. 1-2" max with mostly less, almost no slush, no ice whatsoever. Tested on local roads only, highways were clear.
BTW this car is so f'ing great on the highway. I rolled 85-90mph the whole way and it felt like 55. The only irritation was the numerous left lane bandits that are to be expected on Holiday travel days. A remarkable majority of drivers move over to the right lane as quickly as safely practicable, as I do, but there's still so many clueless people. They actually race you when you finally have to pass on their right. The Aurora sees them off quickly.
P.S. We can't say c**r**a**p**p**y anymore?
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BNICOV
Aurora Lover
Posts: 782
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Post by BNICOV on Feb 22, 2005 12:08:14 GMT -6
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