I'm looking at picking up an 09 SS/TC for a beater (aka daily mile ***** lol) and havent gotten alot of first hand reviews. My friend Nikki has one and she say it sucks in the snow, is this true? i'd think FWD should be decent is it THAT bad?

 

Its all in the tire. Your friend nikki is probably running the stock tires which are summer only which is why it would suck in the snow. I swapped to all-seasons for now and it handles the snow in MI just fine.

 

haha yeah the stock tires suck weiny in the snow but it still handles alright

 

As said above, definitely change the tire. The stock tire is really bad in the snow . But it has traction control, esp, and anti-lock brakes. As long as you stay out of the turbo you're going to do about as good as a small light car can do.

 

snow tires + lsd = tank

Get a good set of snow tires on other rims so you don't destroy the stock wheels and it will go fine. I am amazed how mine goes in the snow.

 

snow tires and your fine. then your good to go.


I think if you ready every single " i crashed in the snow" thread, youll find one common fact. 99% of them were running summer tires or the stock tires.

 

Well then, looks like i've gotta buy a set of wheels/tires

 

I don't have an issue with my stock tires. It is all in how much you learn about how your car handles. I noticed since I put the springs on the car the thing goes through high snow very well.

 

though i don't have a tc, and the situation is a little different because of the brembo brakes and it being harder/impossible to put steelies on, with the proper tires a cobalt handles like a beast in the snow.

we had a nice ice storm here a week or 2 ago, and my buddy left his 4wd truck at work to drive home with me instead. now keep in mind we live on top of a mountain, literally, and the ski slopes are DOWN the hill so that should tell you something about the importance of good winter tires.

 

I just put in a call for a set of wheels and tires, hopefully shouldnt be long

 

did you make sure they're going to clear the brakes?

 

My balt dose okay in snow..i have summer tires on it too..there geniral exxclaims or w.e?..and it dose fine..
Although i think i destroyed my stock wheels i left them on cuz i didnht have the cash to get steelies..
theres scratches and nicks all over them plus coverd in salt along w.my car=[ hope it dont hurt them too much

 

Personally, for a car that is not AWD/4WD and/or a truck, it does fine.

Disadvantage: Low weight -- does not dig into the ground as much and is more susceptible to sliding.

Advantage: LSD/traction control -- does a fairly good job of keeping the car on the road when a wheel slips. However you may need to turn it off in some spots going uphill in snowy or icy conditions. Otherwise your tire will just spin

Disadvantage: OEM ContiSport summer tires -- these are just not meant for snow....period.

Instead of buying winter tires, I picked up a set of Dunlop SP Sport all season tires for like $450 from Tire Rack and I am very impressed. They handle well (close if not better than OEM tires) in the dry weather and EXCEPTIONALLY well in the rain/snow/ice compared to other tires. Best investment I made in the car so far.

Also, knowing how to drive in bad weather is the #1 factor in bad weather accidents. I bet you some people could drive a 900whp 'vette in the snow better then most can in a Hummer. Just be cautious!

 

Just like D4u2s0t just said, you have to make sure the wheels you get can clear the front Brembo brakes. The rims have to be at least 17" AND they MUST be able to clear the WIDTH of the Brembos because they stick out more than you'd think. Let us know if you need ASSistance with choosing proper wheels.

 

I got a set of 17" Cobalt 2LT wheels, do these clear without spacers?

 

snow? wat snow? that's all i have to say to your friends "cobalts are bad in the snow" comment........i haven't had any issues at all in the snow with my 09 ss/tc, the stability control system also makes a huge difference in winter, something only the ss/tc's got, same with traction control.

 

doubtful, the 17" 2.4L SS wheels fit w/o space, I don't think anyone has found any others that have

 

i refused to risk it myself and coughed up $1000 for low profile winter tires which i've had ZERO issues getting traction with. To be safe YES put a spacer on the front rims if u go 17inch cobalt rims, but IMO just get the low pro winter tires till a 17inch rim is found to fit without spacers and gives clearance VERY close to stock rims.

 

no... just look at some rims on tirerack for a 08-09 cobalt ss turbo

 

I'm not totally convinced that the wheels listed on TireRack.com will work...seems weird that it has been very hard for people to find wheels that fit without spacers...but TR has a listing of 15 wheels...I'd at least call them and see if they will assure you they will fit...they probably will not...

 

These appear to be the same wheels, someone want to confirm? Go on the chevy site and check out the wheels it the one directly to the right of the SS wheel which looks like the old 2.4L SS wheel.

 

they look like them, you might be in luck then

 

to the OP..... the Cobalt w/ winter tires is only limited by ground clearance..... I made it through a huge winter snow storm that had SUV's equipped w/ all-season tires stuck!!!

snow tires are your best friends in the winter

 

+1.

I've got Bridgestone all seasons and it did just fine in the snow when I was in Michigan for Christmas. My only complaint is that it can be hard to get moving in the snow but once its moving it does just fine. Turning off the traction control helped a lot.

Driving in the snow is all about the driver. Growing up in Michigan I got plenty of practice.

 

i have a 2.4L sport and i have the stock pirelli p6 tires on and i was driving in this last snow storm we just had i live on a back road that almost never get plowed and i drove in 1-1.5 inches of snow no problem u just have to take ur time and not be an idiot about it.