Scary on ice/snow!!! help!!

[hard life]

My mx-3 is pretty scary on ice and snow. The rear end is swaying all over the place. You know when you turn corners and you can feel the rear suspension shift, thats what it feels like when I drive strait. I put some weight in the back but it still does it(not as much). More weight would probably work but I shouldn't have to do that. what gives? Springs? Struts? Is this normal? when I turn corners on ice and snow it handles fine, I have no trouble going fast.<BR>Thanks<BR>Mike

[Maddbuck]

Interesting problem. I don't know anything about suspension but a couple of things come to mind. Tires, brakes and alignment. 1st tires, if you have uneven wear on them this is a possible cause also check pressure. 2nd brakes, if one of the brakes isn't releasing up and touching this creates drag on one side mabe only noticeable on snow and ice. 3rd alignment, if your car doesn't track straight, front or back, this could cause it to sway more noticable in the snow and ice. these are a couple of suggestions to look into for a start. Any car on ice is scary

[macnwigs]

I hear ya brother! I spun my car out last week...Not driving fast, actually defensive driving going around a gradual bend when all of a sudden my a---end just went. And driving on the highway is almost a nightmare and I have all new struts and tires in the back with snows on the front!

[hard life]

The e-brake sticking a little was my first thought. Checking the wear of the tire is another good one. It's so cold I don't want to crawl under the car...anyways thanks and i hope i figure it out.

[back alley]

go to a tire site and read up on mixing tires and tire types. snows on the front and all seasons on the rear is dangerous stuff. some of that info was an eye opener for me.

[5spd_GS]

ive spun once this winter.. and it was simply cuz i was going to fast. i have BRAND new Goodyear Eagle GT2's all the way around.. but even adding weight wont help if its excessive speed you have. I noticed you said "I have no trouble going fast" i hate to break this to you, but if you dont want to spin, SLOW DOWN. <P>just my two cents. [img]shrug.gif"%20border="0[/img]

[zytariuk]

lol, it's winter bud. If you don't want to spin out just SLOW DOWN. Who cares what everyone else is doing.

[killerpickle]

Well, I was having the same problem...like many others. I decided to just buy all new tires. Not even winter ones...just some really good all season touring tires..<BR>I got the TOYO 800 ultras...and they seemed to have taken care of the grip problems...but it IS still winter...so I drive a little less spirited.

[DVH]

i luv spinnning and sliding! thats all i do in the winter! hehe!

[kalynn12]

You guys have to remember that our cars don't weigh as much as a towncar so of course they are going to slide, just make sure you have good tires on the car and don't take turns doing 60 and you should be fine. :p

[5spd_GS]

..im glad we all agree.. now everyone say it with me.. S.L.O.W....D.O.W.N....<P>

[DVH]

G...O....F..A..S....T..E...R ~~~~~~~~~~~~~!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!HEHE!

[axess]

I have Toyo X10's all round, they are really great but quite expensive (almost 600$CND = 375$US). At first I was a like scared, they spun easy in the snow when I start going, but on the highway...WOW, there was a big snow storm around xmas, everone one was doing about 60KM/h (maybe 40MPH I think) and I was doing 110KM/h and I was in total control. I tought it was funny that I was passing all these 4x4's with my little MX-3

[back alley]

it's not the goin' fast part - it's the stopping part...that will kill ya'.