HI All !!

I just drove my new (to me, anyway) 2006 xB home after pickup from the dealer after they told me my old car would cost more to fix than it was worth. Saw this little Scion xB and bought it. As part of the pre-sale going-over, they put 2 new all-season radials on the front (old ones were okay right now, but probably would not pass NEXT inspection... they've always been pretty good to us.)

Anyway, New England Winter approaches fast (already had one 2-foot blast that caused Halloween to be postponed or canceled outright due to no power for almost a full week!) I live on a moderate hill, and I'm seeing how tiny that car looks sitting out in the driveway. I'm wondering if maybe I should have put full-out snow tires on it, or if the all-seasons will be okay. No idea how these things handle in the white stuff; I don't know anybody who owns one. I figure one or two people here might have some Winter driving experience with these puppies.

Any thoughts/experiences would be most appreciated; might serve to calm the ol' lady down a bit.

Karl
Bristol,NH

 

In winter,you should pay attention to the Vehicle maintenance

 

I'm not one to overlook maintenance in any season, for any reason. I've been a professional mechanic for 30 years, and I've seen far too much of what poor or no maintenance can do. No way I'm letting that happen to MY stuff !!

That doesn't answer my question about how these cars handle in the snow, though; it's a subcompact, and I'm concerned that it may be a little too light to achieve adequate traction without dedicated snow tires (or even chains, though I HATE to put those on !!)

Karl

 

i got through our snow/ice storm last year with mine. never got stuck and was able to pass guys in trucks and im on kumho ecsta ast tires. im thinking of upgrading to a better snow tire on two of my wheels when i get them replaced but idk yet. mine seem to do fine without worry. i live in the Tennessee hills btw so its not like i was on flat ground at all

 

With 318,000 northeast PA miles on my 05, I'd highly recommend WINTER tires. I've driven with all seasons and winters -- NO COMPARISON --

 

not sure if you have a 5 speed or not, but an LSD will make a huge difference in winter.

 

I have a 2004 xB and with a set of snow tires (or really good all-seasons) it's awesome in the snow! The stability control prevents skids and traction control helps you get going, while the anti-lock breaks will help you to stop. I've never gotten stuck and have driven through really bad NYS winters with 6" of deep snow.

If your debating over weather to get snow tires, go to TireRack.com and check out the traction & handling reviews on the tires you already have to see how they rate for snow traction.

 

Thanks for the replies, All; I'm already more reassured. If the weather's going bad, we stock up and just don't head out at all (we're both retired). I was more concerned with what might transpire were we already out and coming home in weather (unlikely; wife's a weather fanatic, won't go out 'til she checks several forecasts,) and even then, only the hill we live on makes me a little nervous. Nothing quite like the feeling of going to slow just a bit to turn into the driveway, and having the car just slide serenely down the hill, towards the waiting traffic below... or pulling out of the driveway, turning up the hill (shortest amount of hill to cover, that way,) and making it ALMOST all the way up, then losing traction and/or sliding.

I've driven tens of thousands of miles (field service mechanic) in truly nasty winter conditions, but that was in a one-ton long-wheelbase van, loaded with just about one ton, and aggressive tread (and chains in a bag, if needed.) No problem. Put the wife in the car, however, and everything changes.

Thanks again for the assurances; I'll just do the 'wait-and-see' thing.

 

I'm chiming in a little late, but I'll add that even with only all-season tires (Goodrich Traction T/As), Stubby ('06 xB) has been able to take me to and from work with incredible ease since September '05. There were only two days I couldn't get up the hill in front of the house, and I'm pretty sure that actual snow tires would have made all the difference.

This is SE Minnesota, where we get quite a bit of snow . . . .

 

What's that old saw... 'better late than never?'

The broader the answer base, the better.

It's reassuring to hear that it's good in snow. Typical New England winters probably don't hold a candle to yours!

We had a 2001 PT Cruiser before the Scion; if it behaves similarly in snow, that's all need!