[sdpsc]

Hi,
I'm not yet a Mustang owner, but am considering buying a 2003 V6 convertible. The main problem is that I live in MN, and this would be my year-round car, so I'd have to deal with winter driving. I know I can use snow tires and common sense (slower speeds, adequate distance) in winter, but that you can also add extra weight to the trunk to add to traction.

How much does the engine of a Mustang weigh? If I was able to add enough weight to the trunk (big bags of rock salt mostly, I suppose) to match the engine, would that mostly fix the problem with rear wheel drive in winter?

Are there any other things I can do to make the RWD safer in winter?

[BRENSTANG03]

welcome i live in mn also i have a gt though and its a pain on the ass driving in the winter lol you always get stuck and its nerve racking driving on a highway with snow it always feels like your going to spin out lol,if you buy a mustang try to get a second car just for the winter glad i did

[guitarist9008]

I had a hell of a time my first winter. Got snow tires last year. Put those tires on, you'll be fine.

[b1lk1]

Snows are a must and make these cars respectable in the snow.

[Nagakilo]

Your good as long as you don't get buried in, if you do then I hope you don't need your tires cause. . .they get burnt up quick trying to get out lol

[Silver J]

Snow tires (even studded ones if you can legally - they're not legal here in PA ) and a sand bag in the trunk will be your best bet. If you get stuck, you can use the sand for traction.

Other tips: drive slow; keep it in a lower gear; give yourself room; if you slip while braking, release them for a second (unless you have ABS); if you get stuck, rock back & forth until you can power yourself out; remember that you have a lot of torque, so don't romp the gas - doing these things, I've made it through 4 snowy winters with my Stang... and at least you're still driving a Stang while others are hiding in minivans.

[xkorellx]

Yeah dude I'm right next to MN 20 mins away by the cities... driving a mustang in the snow is the worst haha. I just bought a winter car because of how horrible my experience was last winter, never again... but a box of sand or bags in the trunk with some snow tires would probably do a lot of good.

[b1lk1]

Trade the box of sand for a box of common sense. By driving with the conditions I have had no problems at all driving my car through 6"+ of unplowed snow. All you need is good snow tires, a well maintained car and common sense. If you decide to drive like an ass and fishtail in the snow, make sure to get AAA (or CAA in Canada) so they can pull you out of all the ditches you will drive into.

[Stang00SH]

Mustangs definatly aren't winter cars, this past winter was my first time driving my mustang in the snow,, man never agian.. i bought a truck for this winter instead.. snow tires will be a great improvement but still don't expect it to be easy driving it in the snow and icy conditions

[silverV6]

Originally Posted by Silver J

remember that you have a lot of torque, so don't romp the gas - doing these things, I've made it through 4 snowy winters with my Stang... and at least you're still driving a Stang while others are hiding in minivans.

+1 i love driving my car in the snow, just feel the car and pay attention to where your rear is going if it starts slipping and you will be fine, the first time it snows go to a parking lot and slip on purpose and you will learn how to handle it and basically teach yourself how to drift