Challenger R/T vs Snow?

Discussion in 'Dodge Challenger General Discussions' started by Tillman7777, Jul 13, 2018.

  1. Tillman7777

    Tillman7777 Member

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    I am in the process of making a career change. This may involve moving from sunny Florida to a possible area with snow during the winter. My R/T is a daily driver. And I can’t afford a second car.... How do you northern guys deal with your Challenger during winter months? May seem like a dumb inquiry. But if I don’t know ask someone is how I operate.


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  2. 70-426_10-SRT

    70-426_10-SRT B&E body lover

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    Going to be driving my SRT daily year round in Oregon.
    Yes, the State the CLOSED Portland with 1/2" and declared a State of Emergency at 4"

    Will be throwing on the Cooper All-Seasons (that SRT-Tom suggested) in September.

    Of course I DO have a '06 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7, & a 3/4 ton Ram w/ V10 and 36" Super Swampers if it does get nasty.

    My cars are meant to be driven, and I do :)
     
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  3. tjfrombama

    tjfrombama Full Access Member

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    I drove my R/T once in the snow. It has the F1 3 season tires. I now know why they specifically state not to drive on roads when the road temp is lower than 45 degrees. Went to see my dad and helped him recover from surgery in Alabama. Nice and sunny when I left. Came back North to Michigan and it was snowing on the way back. The car handled more like a boat. 4" in my subdivision when I pulled in. Traction control made the rear end literally "walk" from one side to the other up my driveway. Had to peel my hands off the steering wheel once I got it in the garage. Once it melted, I took it to a car wash and then parked it. Now, I take insurance off of it from November to April. If I were you, I would trade for an AWD GT, or I would buy what they call up here a "Winter beater". Something FWD and all rusted out and cheap to drive in the snow. you can find them for about $2000. Especially, if you have little experience driving in it. Very dangerous on streets that have not been salted. You could look for a good used one down South and it won't be rusted out. If you are a MOPAR man, an old Shadow or Neon would do. A later model Chevy Cobalt works well and you can find them pretty cheap. Good luck.
     
  4. ZEN357

    ZEN357 Full Access Member

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    I don't drive my Challenger in the winter, but my daily driver is a 2006 300C Heritage and I live near the Pittsburgh Area and have never had an issue getting around with a RWD car.
     
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  5. scurvy_nate

    scurvy_nate New Member

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    I live in the inland northwest (Spokane WA). We regularly have very long winters with snow and slush and ice on the road for long periods. I put studded tires on in the winter and do just fine. You just have to be a little easier on the gas pedal, and hope you don't have to stop on a steep hill with snow on it. Other than that though its really just a matter of watching out for the other guys on the road.
     
  6. BGriff

    BGriff New Member

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    I have a 16 R/T Shaker that also came with the 3 season F1's. Never drove it in the snow with those tires, was too scared. Bought 4 Bridgestone Blizzaks and drove all Winter in the snow and never had a problem, they were fantastic. I live in Orange county NY so I know what snow is.
     
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  7. Wizard of Iz

    Wizard of Iz Full Access Member

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    If at all possible .... I'd find a comparable gig in Florida! :)

    If that's not an option, then I'd (A) get a beater as others have suggested or (B) get some Blizzaks as BGriff suggested.

    I'm blessed to have lived in Florida for 57 of my 59 years.

    Yes, we had snow in Jacksonville back in 1989. We got about 1.5 inches and the city came to a halt until the snow - and the ice under it - melted because we certainly don't own salt trucks.
     
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  8. IntimidatorRT

    IntimidatorRT Well-Known Member Staff Member Super Moderator

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    we don't own salt trucks either here in Louisiana, but when we do get the white stuff they put sand on the roads here.
     
  9. F4Phantom2

    F4Phantom2 Member

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    I have a 2010 SE 3.6 that I drive all winter here in north western lower Mich. Firestone snows on a set of steel Charger cop car wheels(rear only), and remove the Hemi fever tune when they go on. Admittedly not as nose heavy as the RT, but works. Big trick is to make a real effort to learn how to drive in winter conditions. Light on the throttle, slow down before you need to stop, trust the antilock/stability control system, be careful how you park (back and forth mashing down snow is sometimes necessary). Go for a ride in bad conditions with someone who's really good at it. It can be done. I drove a 2 WD 1/2 GMC with a diesel in the nose for over 200,000 miles in all kinds of conditions including as far north as Edmonton AB in the winter with all seasons on the corners. Never got stuck, never wrecked. No antilock in those days. Last word: DON'T tail gate. In slippery conditions you need at least 6 seconds following distance so you have time to react to some shit head spinning out.
     
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  10. F4Phantom2

    F4Phantom2 Member

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    Forgot to mention: if you get stuck, only try two or three times to rock it out. Anything more will fry the transmission. The cooler is not designed to cool everything when the converter is being operated at continuous stall. I was in the trans business, so I know. Call a tow truck.

    Where are you relocating to? If it's anywhere in the snow belt, they plow the roads well (except for maybe Chicago and NYC where all the money goes to politicos on the take) so it's not near the issue you might think it is. Just stay home till the roads are cleared. The plow guys are superb here in Northern Mich.
     
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