Help!!! Major problems in the snow

[mpw1975]

I wanted to get all of your opinions on problems I'm having driving my 2005 Magnum R/T in the snow. Let me preface this post by saying that I grew up in the heart of the mountains so I'm used to driving in winter conditions, and have even taken a winter/defensive driving class sponsored by work. I "use my gears" to carry myself down a hill and am not known for goosing the throttle or laying on the brakes in slick conditions.

The first couple of times we drove in the snow, the Magnum performed admirably and we became very confident driving in winter conditions. Beginning last winter, we began to have serious problems driving around town anytime there is even a dusting of snow on the ground. The car has inexplicably gone into a spin on multiple occasions, for no apparent reason...once even at a relatively flat, only slightly icy intersection.

During today's "spinout", I was crawling down a relatively small hill and the car broke loose, starting a long, slow skid that I was eventually able to steer to a stop in the median. The ironic thing was that two Chargers and a 300 cruised right by me with no problems on the hill. I didn't have my foot on either the brake or the accelerator when the skid started.

We have been looking into buying snow tires to improve winter traction (we currently have Goodyear Assurance tires on the car), but I have a feeling that the problems we're having may extend beyond simply needing a winter tire for winter driving in Colorado Springs. Is it possible that there is something like a brake that sends the car into a spin when it grabs too much? Is there perhaps a problem with the ABS computer? Any other thoughts? I have noticed on more than one occasion that applying the brakes slightly will pull the car toward the curb, at about a 20-30 degree angle from straight line of sight.

I apologize for the long post and would appreciate any feedback that you might have on this issue.

[GasGunR]

First guess is... TIRES

[bigjim]

Search a bit and you will find lots of these same topics concerning the Assurance tires at 50% wear. I have the same issues and have had Blizzacks on this car before. Night and day as far as the winter handling. As I have stated, this is the best handling winter car I have EVER had! Do the tires and stop "gearing down", it simply confuses the car when it is slick. I use the auto stick EXCEPT in slick conditions. Please buy tires, we want you around!

Jim

[mhigham]

Yes, tires will help definitely.

Keeping the revs up at all provides engine BRAKING, something you don't want. When you let off the throttle, you want the most neutral condition possible - no braking, no acceleration.

Once you start skidding, ESP will try correcting. Remember to steer where you want to go, and ESP will apply braking to try to get you there, but on ice you can only expect so much.

Mike

[Super T]

Must be tires, I never had an issue in mine... either that, or the pads are too sticky, which would be a weird problem to have.

[wheelife]

Get winter tires..., knarly ones...with the weight of these cars you need all you can get Cooper Discoverer etc..

[GoofyTimL]

I'm using Blizzacks on our 300C because we got stuck last winter with the OEM Conti-Self-Sealers. Still have the RSAs on the Magnum, but they are no where near the performance of the Blizzacks. Just hoping this first winter with the MSRT8 won't be too snowy/icy. Next winter it will be Blizzacks on the beast as well... at least two in the rear.

[SRT8whemi]

I would try putting a couple of sandbags in the back of the car, right over the rear axle. Other than that, I agree with the others in regard to new/winter tires. Good luck and safe travels.

[Hangtown Magnum]

I'm outside of Tahoe and encounter snow quite a bit...especially this past week. 7-10 feet in 2 days at about the 7000 ft level. This remedy may cause some ackward responses but I carry a small air compressor you can get at sears. (I think they call it a pancake compressor) During winter I keep the tank full. I lower the air pressure in the tires to 20 pds...mind you this is only for short periods where I have to drive on the icy hilly roads, and speed is low. Once I'm good I refill the tires with the compressor tank (no power needed). SRT-8's are not chain friendly. It's an old Jeep trick. More footprint, more traction, better braking

[Slim]

I agree with the majority, gotta be the tires. I have the RSA's on my maggie which are worn down probably 80% in the rear from racing. I got stuck by surprise last weekend in some snow and other than a little slipping going up a hill on the highway the car performed really well. Very predictable.

[Ella C SRT]

SRT-8's are not chain friendly.

<hijack>
I had to pick up a couple of Peerless truck snow chains for my snowboarding outings. They need some trimming, but they look promising.

On the other hand, that new M5 I ran into up there didn't have a shot in h-e double hockey sticks of making the chains fit.
</hijack>

[LowGo]

I suppose it could be the tires. Seems like quite a drastic change though. You might try taking the car out, when it's safe to experiment, and try turning the ESP off to see whether it makes a difference. It won't totally disable it, but if it is kicking in too much, it might be enough to show you that.

Another thing you might try (again when it's safe) is to put the car in neutral when trying to slow down. A long time ago, I had a RWD car (with admittedly bad tires) that you could not slow down on a slippery hill without putting it in neutral. The brake pressure required to overcome the idle speed of the engine would end up locking up the tires.

[hemicanucksfan]

sounds weird. i'd recommend the tires no matter what. they'll help that much more. then, if the problem's cured you know what it was. if it comes back, get the car looked at. and then you'll still have the winters which is one of the best upgrades around.

[Silver Bullit]

I dont drive my Mag much in the bad stuff but i am watching this post. I have the goodyears on my car for winter tires. I have another set of tires for the summer so any time some one has an issue with these tires in the winter i just want to know about it so i am aware of pending problems.

[MikeEast]

I'd wonder about air pressure as well as tread wear - it's a traction issue, much like what you face trying to do a burnout, not that anyone here would stoop so low as to actually do something so juvenile, right?

My RT started with the 'one-legged' burnouts and it wasn't until I got the pressure almost exactly even did it return to destroying both rears at the same time.

I'd second the suggestions about Blizzak's or any other winter tire with 'magic' in it for the first layer or two - but you really should have all 4, I learned the hard way on my 92 thunderbird 3.8 V6, traction wasn't an option with that one, lots of torque made it a fun car, just not so much in the snow. I got stuck on the flat part of my driveway, and that prompted a pair of Blizzaks in the rear, which made it go, but made it go really wierd and kinda scary sometimes. 2 more in the front and it transformed that scary little car into such a good snow car that the x would even go to the store when it was snowing, totally amazing all of us.

Good Luck!

Mike