How unsafe is it to drive a Mustang in the snow considering it's a RWD sports car? I am wanting to buy one, but it would be my daily driver and car I would have to drive in the winter also. What type of things can be done to improve handling in poor conditions; ie snow tires and sand bags? Is this a reasonable car for me to want to drive year aronud living in SE Michigan?
I hate to be the harbinger of bad tidings, but....
I have tried driving Mustangs in the snow. If the storm is going on, or the roads have not been cleared, it is a harrowing experience to say the least. You have a car that is light in the rear, with fat tires, rear wheel drive and lots of torque.
The Mustang, in my experience, is primarily a fair weather car. Of course tires and weight in the rear will help somewhat, it will have to be driven VERY carefully in incliment weather.
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How unsafe is it to drive a Mustang in the snow considering it's a RWD sports car? I am wanting to buy one, but it would be my daily driver and car I would have to drive in the winter also. What type of things can be done to improve handling in poor conditions; ie snow tires and sand bags? Is this a reasonable car for me to want to drive year aronud living in SE Michigan?
I get around just fine. People drove RWD cars for most of the century -FWD was common only in the 80s.
Check out the archives, there's already been a lot of material posted on winter driving tips.
I'd install a limited slip, and invest in winter tires.
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Woe to him who builds his palace by unrighteousness,his upper rooms by injustice,making his countrymen work for nothing...Does it make you a king to have more and more cedar?Did not your father have food and drink?He did what was right and just,so all went well with him. He defended the cause of the poor and needy,and so all went well...But your eyes and your heart are set only on dishonest gain,on shedding innocent blood and on oppression and extortion. Jer 22:13, 15-17
Front wheel drive cars with abs are best in snow and ice, but I have seen plenty of them in ditches too. The first thing about driving in these conditions is to use your head and be safe.
I had to put 200lbs of water softner salt in mine just to get it away from the curb, and then its still 20 mph every where I go.. I just put mine in the garage now and buy a $200-$300 dollar winter get around car... Don't let people use the excuse that rear wheel drive cars were all people used to drive, becase back then they weighed about twice as much and it was alot easier to drive them...
I had to put 200lbs of water softner salt in mine just to get it away from the curb, and then its still 20 mph every where I go.. I just put mine in the garage now and buy a $200-$300 dollar winter get around car... Don't let people use the excuse that rear wheel drive cars were all people used to drive, becase back then they weighed about twice as much and it was alot easier to drive them...
I get around easier in the Mustang than the Focus.
Are you using winter tires?
PS. my 1968 Mustang 302 weighed 2750lbs from the factory my 3.8L weighs 3150. Modern cars weigh MORE than older cars, generally, because of all teh crash protection, software systems, etc.,
It's not weight, it's distribution, tire compound, Limited Slip, etc, that make a difference in the snow. 90s T-birds are among the worst, and they weighed even MORE than the Mustang.
If you're running around in sport tires, that harden up around 40 degrees, you're gonna' have problems, no matter wha tyou drive.
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Woe to him who builds his palace by unrighteousness,his upper rooms by injustice,making his countrymen work for nothing...Does it make you a king to have more and more cedar?Did not your father have food and drink?He did what was right and just,so all went well with him. He defended the cause of the poor and needy,and so all went well...But your eyes and your heart are set only on dishonest gain,on shedding innocent blood and on oppression and extortion. Jer 22:13, 15-17
This is my 3rd winter in the stang. Got it Dec. '04. It is as safe as the driver. I have had no problems getting around. Yes, it is very light and slides very easily but if you use your head you'll be OK. I made the 10 mile highway drive to work last month during our brief snow storm while 4wd pick ups were in the ditch.
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2005 Windveil Blue V6 Auto
Performance Mods; C&L intake, X-cal2, Ford t-lok & 3.73 gears, JBA headers & dual exhaust, Progress rear anti-sway bar, GT front anti-sway bar, PHP alt. pulley, CHE LCA's, BMR panhard rod, panhard support & A-arm brace, Powerhouse alum. driveshaft
Appearance Mods; GT bumper & grille, Webelectric pony corral insert, Bullitt wheels, MRT hood struts, MDM trunk lid mat, MGW oil, dip stick & radiator caps, Midwest Intake Plenum & Radiator covers
I'm looking forward to my first winter with my 2007 Mustang GT. I have noticed the following automatic tranny characteristics: When selecting lower gears manually, the tranny remains locked in that gear and takes more power to get her rolling. Cuts down on torque at the rear wheels. Remember the old Cruise-O-Matics? They were the best on snow. Take off in 2nd and roll on.
Its sweet, i got my stang a few months ago and it just started snowing here in michigan. If your careful its fine, but if your not you'll spin out everywhere.
Driven in the white stuff and did ok, but I prefer to keep my Stangs beded down for the winter months. Won't them in the winter months and none of that chemichal stuff on my Stangs. No need when I have other wheels to drive, like my 90 Bronco ll or my husband's truck. I hope was good to you all and enjoy the rest of this year.
I wouln't take my Mustang over the Colorado passes in the winter on a bet. Even with studs on all 4 tires it's not a winter car. It's a wonderful vehicle but not a year round vehicle where you get several months a year of white roads. Being careful doesn't really matter if you don't have the capability to get out of the way of the other guy that's sliding towards you.
If you get ice storms there, be real sure you get a stick instead of an auto so that you can feather the clutch (autos on ice will sit and spin a tire at idle-autos of any make and model do that). I have a Ford Escort wagon and Explorer for my winter driving when the roads are white.
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2005 V6Mustang coupe. Automatic. Black with Charcoal Interior
Mods: JLT CAI, Bamachips 91 race tune, single Mustang V8 muffler, Mustang V8 swaybars
Looks: smoke front turn signals, sequential taillights, 14" shorty antenna, MRT rear window louvers and a little chrome for the interior 2000 C5 Corvette convertible, Torch Red with Black Interior. Full of options, Corsa exhaust 1990 Ford Bronco 351ci engine- it runs.
i have a 140 mile a day commute and with snow tires its a tank. 05 gt with an auto. just gotta know... no abrupt moves!!! but i drive 150k a year (in a big truck
driving in the winter go to farm and fleet and buy some narrow steel rims u gotta aske for then theyll know what you are talkin about they are like 50 bucks and put some cheap tires with good tread then put 300lbs in the back of your car. its worked for my friend me i just rive it with the weight but really carefully the best advice is to just drive careful in the turns and allow plenty of time to stop.. oh and hardly any gas if any when putting it into gear
I live in Ohio and I have studded snow tires. I ususally dont put much weight in the back. Just make sure you have atleast half a tank of gas and just be easy with the gas. Its an auto,so a stick might be more tricky, except you just start out in 2nd gear. The best advice for winter driving is take it easy. It doesnt matter what you drive, nothing goes or stops on ice, snow is a little better, but not by much. Be smart and remember that you can wreck going straight in bad conditions, no your limits and stay away from them if you value your ride. Also, make sure your washing your car a lot during the winter to get all of the salt and grit off, you dont want a rust-stang.
Mustang in snow 
them in the winter months and none of that chemichal stuff on my Stangs. No need when I have other wheels to drive, like my 90 Bronco ll or my husband's truck. I hope 
was good to you all and enjoy the rest of this year.
