cobalt in the snow
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Joined: 11-25-06
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From: edmonton
The cobalt is great in the snow........but if its that much snow as in the pic with the jeep then you my friend are.......ummmmmm.........fuked, to put it nicely.........LOL....I would start looking for steelies and winter tires now though cause the 5x110 rims seem to be hard to find up here in the great white north but maybe now it wont be so bad since they have been on the cars for 2 years.......i know when i got my car in 06 it was tuff to find the rims.......luckily enough i found jmac here in edmonton and he set me up......Thanks again James.....lol
Mine wasn't bad last year. Biggest problem I had was getting used to FWD (last vehicle was a RWD s10) and the fact that for an LS my car seems to have a very strong response to that gas pedal haha. Once I get up to speed on the road ways the car handles fine, deep snow though forget it. And I am lowered this year so I can't wait to see how that helps or hurts, gonna be plowing snow with my exhaust...
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Joined: 01-02-08
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From: Metro Detroit, Mi
But if it's not 3 feet of snow you're driving in but just snowy/icy roads with winter/all season tires the Cobalt is just fine.
I'm sure the 08+ balts will be better since they have TC.
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Joined: 09-16-05
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From: UNDER YOUR BED
I was wondering, for those of you who drive yours in the winter and get a snowy winter, how does the cobalt do?
I got an 07 SS/NA 5 speed, my first 5 speed car. Before this i had a 4x4 jeep so this will be a big step down for the winter. I was wondering how these do in the snow with a proper set of tires.
I got an 07 SS/NA 5 speed, my first 5 speed car. Before this i had a 4x4 jeep so this will be a big step down for the winter. I was wondering how these do in the snow with a proper set of tires.
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Joined: 08-26-08
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From: Hebron, IN
I'm moving to where it doesn't snow.
But if I had to do it again...anything less than dedicated winter tires in the lsj or lnf is just stupid stupid stupid with snow and particularly ice. Too much torque too many trees.
Contiextreme contacts were **** as well...you need Q tires (I believe that's the rating); haven't tried winter "sport" tires (m3's...but sti guys seem to run them fine).
But if I had to do it again...anything less than dedicated winter tires in the lsj or lnf is just stupid stupid stupid with snow and particularly ice. Too much torque too many trees.
Contiextreme contacts were **** as well...you need Q tires (I believe that's the rating); haven't tried winter "sport" tires (m3's...but sti guys seem to run them fine).
most dedicated snow/mud tires that arent expensive @ss michelins or something har either Q or R rated, but the speed rating has nothing to do with its performance in the snow
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Joined: 12-07-07
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From: akron, ohio
I'll be driving my 09 SS/TC in the snow. I'm from Northern Ontario, where we get -45C days and more snow than any American could dream of. With a proper set of snow tires, most cars are fine for the winter. All seasons are a lie, mind you; they're not even acceptable for true winter driving.
A set of Bridgestone Blizzaks, Kuhmo KU11s, Michelin X-Ice, etc. are all good alternatives. I've driven both of the 3.5SE Altimas (250bhp, 245lb/ft) my dad has owned for years in the winter, and have yet to have a problem.
Ideally it would be nice to keep the SS off the road in the winter time, but I can't afford two cars... But proper cleaning/maintenance and a good set of snow tires will keep the car in good shape and out of the ditch.
A set of Bridgestone Blizzaks, Kuhmo KU11s, Michelin X-Ice, etc. are all good alternatives. I've driven both of the 3.5SE Altimas (250bhp, 245lb/ft) my dad has owned for years in the winter, and have yet to have a problem.
Ideally it would be nice to keep the SS off the road in the winter time, but I can't afford two cars... But proper cleaning/maintenance and a good set of snow tires will keep the car in good shape and out of the ditch.
not true, i delivered pizzas in some of the best all-seasons u can get(goodyear eagle f1's) and chopped thru 8in of snow like it wasnt even there
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Joined: 06-22-08
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From: PA
You will LOSE horribly finding anything decent for snow in 17's and 18's. I don't even think they make winter tires in 18.
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Joined: 12-09-07
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From: Chilliwack, BC, Canada
You bet they use salt on the roads.......both salt and sand. I personally use 4 winter tires on my stock wheels and it goes around pretty damn good.
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From: Chilliwack, BC, Canada
...I believe that all SNOW tires are Q rated (99mph) and normal passenger tires are not. Usually passenger tires are H rated and above but I may be wrong. Winter tires are fairly cheap in 16's like 60 or 70 bucks for something, I think pepboys has winterforce tires that are even cheaper but can't remember.
You will LOSE horribly finding anything decent for snow in 17's and 18's. I don't even think they make winter tires in 18.
You will LOSE horribly finding anything decent for snow in 17's and 18's. I don't even think they make winter tires in 18.
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From: Chilliwack, BC, Canada
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Joined: 08-26-08
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From: Hebron, IN
I think you're a little confused about the speed ratings on different tires. Speed ratings are tested by sustaining a certain max speed at maximum psi at maximum load on the tire for 20 minutes. My winter tires are "V" rated. Regular passenger tires most often are "S" or "T" rated, with performance oriented tires usually starting with "H" going up to "V", "W", "Y", and "Z".......since the Z is an older rating system, Y, and W fall under the Z category........PHEW! That's was a lot of letters, haha.
Yep....snow tires are a HUGE help. Gotta be on the ball with taking them back off in the spring though, the rubber compunds are very soft and wear out in a hurry on the dry stuff
Last edited by zillaguy07; Aug 29, 2008 at 04:09 AM. Reason: Automerged Doublepost
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Joined: 01-02-08
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From: Metro Detroit, Mi
yeah, I actually have not had any problems driving my SS/SC in the snow. I also use Pirelli P Zero Nero All Seasons, and the Cobalt SS does very well. Driving a manual during the winter also makes it easier to launch and drive in the snow as well.
The only problem I can see driving the Cobalt in the winter depends on how much snow you're driving in. If it's 3 feet of snow, unless you drive a 4X4 no car is going to be driving on the road...
The only problem I can see driving the Cobalt in the winter depends on how much snow you're driving in. If it's 3 feet of snow, unless you drive a 4X4 no car is going to be driving on the road...
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Joined: 12-19-07
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From: Reedsburg, WI
We had a record snowfall year here in Wisconsin and my car did fine last year on the stock tires. I would have liked to have had some steelies with Snow tires but I had just bought the car in November and was trying to get my finances back in order with the holidays and crap. If they don't plow for days and you're driving through 2-3 feet of snow you'll want to trade your car in for something else but the car does fine if the roads are just snow/ice covered. I do have to say though that I have an auto SS/NA so I'm not sure what the difference would be with a manual and a more powerful engine.
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From: Chilliwack, BC, Canada
One more thing to mention. If you want the best traction available, lower speed rated snow tires tend to be the best. The reason is that they can make the tread even softer because they don't have to be able to pass super high speed ratings. I had Bridgestone Blizzaks on my '85 Mustang GT and they were 'Q' rated, which is 98 mph........as long as you realize you can't drive like an ******* at high speeds, those things would take me anywhere.
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Joined: 12-09-07
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From: Chilliwack, BC, Canada
If you're looking to get a separate set of tires/wheels, I made this little combo set for you........it's SUPER cheap for what you get and they would make your Cobalt SS killer in the snow. $428.00 for everything mounted and balanced before taxes and shipping. Those particular tires are on a closeout sale, which means they're about to be discontinued........but they are a badass tire, especially for less than $70 each.
http://www.tirerack.com/cart/Holding...shopTires=true
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