Winter Driving

[evotell]

Has anybody driven their Smart in the winter?, I mean a Canadian winter = SNOW

[Huronlad]

Most of the Canadian owners and many northern US owners certainly have. Snow tires are a must if you see much in the way of accumulation.

[bilgladstone]

Seriously?? Here's the distribution of about 70% of all diesel Smart cars in Canada as of April 2012. One or two of these areas experience winter = snow.589 Victoria BC398 Vancouver BC392 Calgary AB349 Toronto ON290 Edmonton AB249 Montréal QC195 Ottawa ON158 Nanaimo BC113 Richmond BC110 North / West Vancouver BC108 London ON108 Mississauga ON96 Hamilton ON89 Kitchener ON84 Kelowna BC82 Duncan BC71 Québec QC66 Kamloops BC65 Surrey BC63 Laval QC59 Burlington ON56 St Catharines ON52 Saskatoon SK46 Longueuil QC43 Oakville ON40 Etobicoke ON39 Burnaby BC39 Trois-Rivières QC38 Regina SK37 Halifax NS37 Markham ON35 Roxboro QC32 Barrie ON32 Lethbridge AB30 Windsor ONHTH,Bil

[scwmcan]

With the snow tires on it is fine in the snow, never had a problem with it, I do use the Matrix when there is supposed to be a storm though ( more from the fact that other drivers tend not to ignore it as much as the smart than anything to do with the smart's winter capabilities). I have driven the smart in snow though and really had no difficulties ( not even on roads that have basically turned into skating rinks). As with any car you just have to learn its limits and stay below them.

[Lito]

Las winter was my first with a Smart. I am in Ottawa and we did have a couple of serious storms (and ice). I had less trouble with my Smart (winter tires a must) than with my Mercedes 190E. Traction control does work overtime, but that is why is there (I think).I drove under conditions in which I saw other cars off the road (possibly because they were not as cautious as I was).My only advise would be to not let the fact that is so responsive make you feel too comfortable.

[spdrcln]

I've driven mine in several Saskatchewan winters, never had any issues. The first winter I had it I drove it on the summer tires it came with and thought it got around just fine. I've since gone with the Vredestein Quatrac 3s and just use them all year round.

[Leadwing]

Until I went into forced retirement just over a year ago, I drove my smart every working day back and forth from London to Woodstock. Never had a traction problem. Drive cautiously and you will have no issues.WINTER tires are a must! (no such thing as 'snow' tires for cars anymore) Real snow tires went the way of the dodo years ago and they are replaced by something with a slightly better tread than all seasons. The performance on cold bare roads is much better with winter tires than summer tires due to a softer rubber compound, but an aggressive-patterned all season is as good in deep snow as a winter tire. Before the nay-sayers chime in, yes I have tested this with a full time 4WD Jeep.

[dmoonen]

I'd just recommend buying a good set of winter tires. The last two winters on my grey smart I've been using the Blizak WS60's for +-15,000km with no issues so far. Heated seats are also recommended

[evotell]

I'd just recommend buying a good set of winter tires. The last two winters on my grey smart I've been using the Blizak WS60's for +-15,000km with no issues so far. Heated seats are also recommended

Nice picture

[MikeT]

I drove our Canada 1 across the USA, which at the time was having a massive blizzard from Michigan through to the Wisconsin/Minnesota border. No worries on snow tires...

[evotell]

I drove our Canada 1 across the USA, which at the time was having a massive blizzard from Michigan through to the Wisconsin/Minnesota border. No worries on snow tires...

At least you won't get a ticket, the plate is not visible.

[MikeT]

Heh, there was no plate under there! It was in the front window (temporary).