Is it possible to drive a Porsche 911 (997) Carrera 4 in snow on stand

[shawnbem]

The snow would be about 3-4 inches deep on roads . The tyres are normal all year round tyres and not winter tyres. We don't swap tyres in England usually as the winters don't tend to be bad.

Any Porsche owners have experience of snow driving in a C4 on standard tyres?

 

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Edited July 16, 2015 by shawnbem

[JFP in PA]

As Porsche's are equipped with performance "summer tires", we normally recommend against driving the cars on dry roads at temps below 40 F, simply because the tires have little to no grip on dry pavement in the cold.  If you are going to be using the car in snow and obviously lower temps, you need a second set of wheels and tires.

[Richard Hamilton]

I once drove my 996 Turbo in a couple of inches of snow with standard summer tyres, and wouldn't recommend doing it regularly.  It is like having a snowboard on each corner.  I got a set of winter wheels and tyres for my Cayman, and put them on at the end of November and take them off on 1st March.  The tyres perform much better when the temperatures get below 7°C, which is quite often during that period.  We didn't get any significant snowfall last winter, but when we have had it in past years the winter tyres give you much more confidence - confidence that you are going to be able to get where you want to go, and that you can steer and stop a lot more safely.  Of course, it doesn't help with other idiots on the road who haven't a clue how to drive in bad conditions.......

[Silver_TT]

For 3-4 inches of snow, you definitely need an extra set of tires suited for the elements.  On my C4S/TT I went with Blizzaks -- worked like a charm, the only thing that will stop you is if the snow simply gets too high since these cars sit so low/tight to the street.

 

You can pick up an extra set of wheels used for around $1K USD with some luck...if you get real lucky you could find them with snow tires already on them.  Driving even an AWD car, in low temps or with precipitation using a pure summer tire is a recipe for disaster.  If the cost of a new set of wheels plus tires seems prohibitive.....imagine how cheap it is compared to even a minor car accident.

Edited July 7, 2015 by Silver_TT

[GTF]

I have driven in winter with Pirelli P Zero tyres and have not had any problem in 12 Scottish winters with snow up to around 8" deep. Cars driven have been 996 C4 and 997.1 C4S. I now have a 997.2 Turbo but will fit winter tyres this time around to ensure I have traction due to the extra power. Tyres have had at least around 5mm of tread left, anything less would cause problems. Winter tyres will always be better than all year round and summer tyres.

 

You need to drive smoothly, with no sudden changes in speed or direction, using the gears to slow you down.

[Silver_TT]

Wow, you are very brave to drive such nice cars in half a foot of snow...........with a summer tire.  LOL.  :cheers: