Using a vert in winter

[paulalves]

Anyone have experience with cold weather driving with the vert?

Anything I should know?

Im considering driving straight off the lot to get 4 new snow tires. Not sure how the factory stock ones will do in this slippery weather.

Im in Toronto, where its pretty cold right now and theres ice and snow on the ground here and there...


Any advice? Anyone?

[FineExampl]

Not sure of the vert, but mine came stock with all season tires. I've had awesome traction in snow.

[paulalves]

Im buying the 2006 vert instead of the 2007 because the craperrific dodge I was going to drive for a year skidded out from under me and I ended up hitting a tree...how embarassing never mind that me and my friend couldve been seriously injured...Now im buying a vert in the middle of winter and hoping not to slip and slide in the same manner...lol

I guess I can go with the all seasons that it comes with...Just a bit paranoid I guess after my little accident two weeks ago...

Mind you ABS and traction control will help, but traction control only makes good use of what traction you do have and does not ADD any traction...only tires add traction...

ARGH should I go with snow tires? Will they cost me a fortune? who knows...lol

Nice car by the way!!

[SeeMKay]

I am on the East Side of Cleveland, OH.....and this will be my second winter.....No problems at all with the tires.....Never bothered to get snow tires.....although a friend who lives in Erie, Pa.....swears by them......
I was very suprised how nice and toasty the car is too...Heats up great......and no leaks where cold air comes in...... I have heated seats.....and WOW does that make a difference.....

[Dede]

Originally Posted by Seemkay

I have heated seats.....and WOW does that make a difference.....

YES and on mine there is a big difference between the 4 and 5 setting - 4 is nice and toasty and 5 feels like a fire burning.

[dnyed]

Driving a 'vert in the winter. Keep the top up!


We converted today, two hours to a casino for my work holiday party. Oh yes, it was sunny, but oh my gosh, it was freezing, and windy! There isn't enough ChapStick in the world for a topless drive today!

Luckily, there was now snow. I doubt that our vert, anyway, will ever see it.

[EVZBUG]

Yay Toronto! It's my second home! I've got tons of family there, and I've been there over 60 times (lived with my aunt for 2 summers), and I've been there for Xmas at least 20 times and I know the weather--almost like Boston. Anyway, a set of snow tires will run you maybe 400 US bucks plus mounting and balancing--I'm sure Canadian Tire has a deal. They really make a difference, but Toronto has always been good about snow removal, so you could get by with the all season tires. Whatever you do, DO NOT be tempted to open the roof in the winter--opening it in temperatures of 32F or colder (check your manual for Celsius) will result in damage, I guess because the hydraulic fluid gets too viscous when it gets that cold. Also, you can buy stuff to treat the top at 303products.com, but since it is so cold, I don't know if you can use a garden hose to shampoo the roof. I'd still spray it with the repellant spray though. What dealership are you going to--Downtown Fine Cars or the one on Mt. Pleasant? I once got my Jetta's oil changed at Downtown, and it took them 3 hours, and they scratched my driver's door...

[EVZBUG]

P.S. I forgot to mention that I run snow tires on my Jetta, and it makes a world of difference during snow storms, but my father's Passat 4motion does adequately with all-seasons. As for my Bug, it gets stored in the winter, and it is only driven on snow-less days, so I can't give you much more personal experience with it in the winter. I can tell you that I've heard of other people having problems with snow buildup preventing the windows from dropping. I don't know how familiar you are with the convertible yet, so bear with me, but anyway, the windows drop about half an inch when you open the doors so that they can come out of the weather seal and clear the roof when you swing the doors open. People have reported that if snow that turned to ice builds up at the window sill, the window can't drop and it catches on the top, which puts the window at risk for breaking or wearing the canvas. Other than that, you'll often hear about us owners of older convertibles with window drop problems due to the electronic software or the window regulator mechanism, but that was taken care of this year. I hope that helps. If anyone else has more to contribute, please do so!

[paulalves]

Yeah I got it from Downtown Fine Cars, and so far so good with the winter driving... I think I will try Canadian tire for the snow tires. Thanks for all your help! So you are in Boston right now? When are you coming up to visit?

[dgoldbe2]

The only suggestion I would add, is that you check the side windows for ice buildup before trying to open the door.

We had an ice storm here two weeks ago, and I broke something in the door while trying to lower the window so I could close the door.

It only took the dealer 10 minutes to replace the part, but if I had spent 5 minutes clearing the ice from the window before opening it, I wouldn't have had any trouble closing it, and thus would not have had to make a trip to the dealer.

[JrsyGrl]

I had my first experience in snow with my 'vert a couple of weeks ago. I was so thrilled with how she handled in the snow. My street hadn't been plowed yet, and it was still snowing pretty heavily, and my little Bug just plowed right through it all. I think a good thing is that they are heavier than non-'verts, so it will handle better.

[KNEWBUG]

I have no problems driving on the 1st day of winter. Its a cold 80 degrees here in sunny southern california.

[EEEABUG]

Originally Posted by KNEWBUG

I have no problems driving on the 1st day of winter. Its a cold 80 degrees here in sunny southern california.

yea thats what i was gonna write haha. I had the top down today actually.