Hi all,
I'm looking forward to buying myself an xb in the next few months. I've been studying all the msgs here to learn as much as I can (although I confess I have no idea what half the "mods" are about!). My one big question about the xb is how it handles in snowy conditions. I've found one msg from someone who found the traction control really useful. Does anyone have any first hand information about driving in the snow? (I've got a big ole "98 Taurus wagon now that's terrific in the snow because it's so big and heavy, so I'm a little nervous about giving that up. )

TIA for all your help!

 

its front wheel drive and small all season tires. youll be fine in the snow. i know off hand because of the Nor easters NY gets. the xB has traction control and ABS so its pretty easy to drive in crummy weather.

run a quick search and type in snow youll find some good opinions about snow driving in there.

Snow tires are good too if your real concerned. Bridgestone Blizzaks are the best ive ever used on the BMW's i worked on. and their not really snow friendly cars either. Good luck on your decision

 

https://www.scionlife.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=69651

https://www.scionlife.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=57218

https://www.scionlife.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=51711

https://www.scionlife.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=42605

 

I'm glad I don't have to deal with snow. Watch it snow this winter in Phoenix...that'd be a first.

 

Thanks for the links to xb snow information. I'm still new here and finding my way around; will definately search more aggressively in the future - you guys seem to have covered every topic I'd ever want to know about. From the looks of what I've read, I'll be fine in the snow.

 

and if you been a new englander most or all of your driving life. youll have no problem driving with it. you might even get around town better in the xB than your taurus.

keep us informed on your decision

 

Get your flame suit on!!!

The SEARCH button is your friend- this topic has been discussed in depth alot before.................

 

taurus's are absolutely terrible in the snow. Every winter i see at least one on the road that crashes or is crashed.

 

To Unfocused: you're absolutely right; snow has been discussed in depth here and I apologize for being redundant.

In defense of my Taurus -maybe I've just been lucky, but it always feels solid and steady when I drive in snowstorms. (I'm a middle-aged lady who's been driving a long time and is pretty careful in the snow, having been a New Englander all my life, so maybe that's part of the reason I'm happy with it.)

I'm looking forward to buying my very own box within the next 6 months. I'm not getting any options other than an automatic. I considered the TRD shocks/struts, but after reading the msgs here I've decided they're not necessary. Aftermarket sounds like the way to go for everything.

 

no problems here driving in CT mine is even lowered two inches and don't have any handleling issues . but i also have a new jetta and that is garbage in the snow.

 

I got the factory alloy wheels, so I got them to give me the original steel wheels that the tires came on. On these I put a real good set of 4 snow tires.

I am simple amazed at how good the box is in the snow!! It has been my best 2 wheel drive car for the winter I have ever owned. And what does this?? The factory VSC system. I tried all winter long to put this car into a skid on the snowy roads. With the 4 snows tires and the anti-lock brakes, and the stability control, and the traction control, the box is always in contol.

You'll love it, and it'll put anything you have owned before to shame in the winter. Only problem I could see was the low front spoiler height. It tended to collect snow and sinders, but then I solved that problem with a bra from Colgen.

 

Handles great in the snow. Three trips from VA to VT to ski at Killington.

 

taurus's are absolutely terrible in the snow. Every winter i see at least one on the road that crashes or is crashed.


You've got to be kidding. One - ONE!!!! each winter?????
That would be ONE out of how many Taurus/Sables on the road???

Cut me a break