'03 Impreza WRX Sti + Winter driving

[red997]

bit of a newbie here in the jap world;
my other half has the car above ('03 STi saloon)
She's is generally a good, cautious driver;
However, she is petrified of driving the car in the winter months !

I think it stems from last winter in the snow she had the rear step out on her.

But, she is now convinced that when it's wet, snowy or icy, she is going to crash and kill her and the two kids !

I've not really driven the car much, especially in poor weather, but seems fairly well planted to me in the dry.

I suppose my question is this, are they a bit 'loose' at the rear (the car that is....)by design ?

Tyres are just a cheapish korean brand, reasonable tread depth etc

I'm used to AWD in winter (Cayenne with Pirelli Scorpion tyres) and RWD (911 GT3 + Cup Car), so I'm quite willing to see where it's limits lie;

just looking for some general handling pointers on the breed !
thx
David

[havard01]

I'd lose the 'ditch finder' tyres for the winter.

[red997]

OK - thanks !
any reccomendations for a suitable tyre type for this car ?

std 17" rims

preference for wet & winter grip / handling !

[ScoobieWRX]

Better off with winter tyres from the likes of Continental, Vredestein, Pirelli, Michelin, Dunlop etc.... Just go with a good make. I would recommend you buy a spare set of rims and fit those with summer tyres so you can swap every year as the winter tyres will be softer and start to wear out quickly when the weather heats up.

[red997]

might just do that;
I only have 5 sets of wheels in the garage already !
whats another set...

[ScoobieWRX]

Join the club

[MK4 Slowride]

I'll be putting some winter tyres on my buckled P1 alloys. I'd cry if I damage my rota grids. Personally I find my scoob understeers if I go too fast into a corner and will oversteer if I boot it too early coming out of a corner. You just need to take it easy really in the snow/ice.

[GravelBen]

Haven't tried '03 STi specifically, but most Subarus are very forgiving on slippery stuff - just make sure the 4wd traction advantage doesn't make you overconfident when it comes to braking!


PS I don't think it will have DCCD being an '03 but if it does wind the dial forward for better stability and traction on snow.

[ScoobieWRX]

Make sure the ABS is working too. I remember a couple of winters ago disconnecting the ABS via the fuse. Every time i applied the brakes even lightly my rear end tride overtaking me.

[GravelBen]

Funny, I remember my '97 Legacy accelerating down a snowy hill when the ABS kicked in and wishing I had removed the fuse!

[ScoobieWRX]

[JollyGrnMonster]

Replace fuse with two spade connectors, a fuse holder and fuse and a switch in the dash. Then when in snow and ice and you go arrrrfggghhh you can turn it off
They are an awesome winter car

[ScoobieWRX]

That sounds a good idea. I'll try that on the scoob. Be nice to switch it on and off so i can have it off in the rain. Scoob ABS is far too sensitive!!

[red997]

I'm liking that idea !

also used to driving without ABS - my 997 Cup car has no abs - but that has slicks

anyone tried these before Vredstein Quatrac 3

seems to be best of both worlds, summer and winter tyre in one !
and at £123 each fitted not to expensive either

[WeirdNeville]

An impreza is my perfect UK winter car. You simply won't get more traction or stability in anything else for 'Cold roads' driving. (IMO)
Spend out on some decent winter specific tyres and you're laughing for the next 4-5 months.
It's a very powerful car to put on 'cheap' tyres.

[jeff8407]

As I live at 7000' in elevation here in the western US (2000M), I have a bit of experience with the snow and have put 300K miles on three subies in eight years. Subies understeer. If you significant other had the rear come around she either hit ice, has the wrong tires, or trail-braked in poor conditions. With good all season tires(Kuhmo ASX, Kuhmo 4X, Continental DWS), I never have a problem. I am usually the first one down our mountain road in the mornings as work starts for me at 5:30am. The snow plow crew doesn't start work until 6:00 am. Therefore, I usually cut my way through virgin snow covered roads for 7.6 miles with a decrease in elevation of 2600'. I can think of no other car that is actually "better" in the snow than a Subaru with tires being equal.

[ScoobieWRX]

red997 said:

I'm liking that idea !

also used to driving without ABS - my 997 Cup car has no abs - but that has slicks

anyone tried these before Vredstein Quatrac 3

seems to be best of both worlds, summer and winter tyre in one !
and at £123 each fitted not to expensive either

IMHO...If you are going for a winter tyre then stick with a winter only tyre. You'll get much better traction, stop shorter and have more control on the slippery stuff, or rain sodden/deep standing water roads than a combination tyre. Specially if you live in the sticks.

Having another set of rims for your winter tyres makes a lot of sense too because you will only use them for a few months and could last you a few years in which case you'll save money in the end.

As soon as the weather warms up a bit go back to your summer tyres until the next winter season. Again, your summer tyres may last a bit longer or will give you a bit more general hooning/track day time at least.

[red997]

Thanks for all the advice chaps;

Trying to pull it all together:-
The back end came round when she was on the power, not off power or trail braking

Going to go for winter specific tyres - need to try and find a cheap set of second wheels too;
I'm familiar with winter tyre / wheel set ups - I have a second set of wheels & Pirelli scorpion winter tyres for my Cayenne, which is stunning in the snow (pulled a rangie out of a ditch a couple of years ago..)

As for tracking the car - it's on the list to do;

The other half on track in a couple of weeks, although in my track car (911 GT3)- will be her first time should should be interesting (!)

[AndySpecD]

Good tyres a must. The comment on having plenty of traction to go, but only the same as any other car to stop is totally true, so be aware. Also, pulling away on a road with camber can be difficult as all 4 wheels are happy to spin and you go sideways possibly towards a curb, whereas a fwd car tends to pull itself whichever way the wheels are pointing.

[AndySpecD]

And sell the WRX and get an STI with DCCD , the diff lock really does work, was quite impressed with the difference it made last time we had snow.