Hey guys, I am going up to Tahoe for 4 nights and I am thinking of using my manual 03 CL-S. Anyone have any experience with this car in snow? I have the 06 TL rims with their OEM tires in the back and Falken ZE 912 tires in the front. I didnt change all tires yet, lol. Will this spec do okay in snow? Also wanting to get chains as I'M sure will help a lot with traction, I assume? will cables be better then chains? any information would be great, thanks!

 

Don't use chains or cables, the car does not have enough clearence between the strut and the tire for chains or cables.
i have the Falkens 912's on all 4 corners on stock rims and they suck in the snow and ice. manageable but not very good. if there is snow just be very careful, just a little too much throttle and the tires will break loose, both of them.
Go slow as the 912' are mainly a summer tire. the stock michelins aren't much better.

 

OUCH, im better off renting a car and using chains on theirs :P

 

I live in pa and we get decent amounts of snow. I have the 512 falkens on the same car. its not too bad in the snow just watch reving your RPMs past 3k or youll start spinning out so if you keep em below 3k youll be fine i personally drove mine in 6 inches of snow on unplowed roads and was fine. Just keep your cool and dont over react to any problems and if youve driven in the snow before youll be fine even if you havent just do what i said and youll be cool. have fun boarding but if your a skier.. well thats another story haha just kidding man

 

Boarder 4 Life...haha....
the only problem is that I heard that Tahoe PD may require chains no matter what if the weather is that bad. Judging by the forecast, friday has rain/snow, sat & sunday snow, monday clear and then tuesday snow showers... sooooo im expecting a pretty rough ride..

 

I've had my CL-S6 in seven winters now, and we average ~ 4ft of snow here in Metro Detroit.

With the stock tires it was acceptable, but not outstanding. It could easily get through 1-6" without too much drama, but much more than that was a little difficult.

I have had dedicated snow tires for the winter for 5 winters now and they are a TON better. Driving in slushy snow is like driving in rain with the stock tires, and it doesnt have any problems until 8"+ of snow.

If the tires are 'summer style' at all I wouldnt even try. Yes its fwd and has LSD, but tires make a HUGE difference.

 

not horrible cars in the snow even with just all season tires on it
but yes snow tires, can make a world of difference though




and as far as chains go OP, are you lowered? if so, then you might have an issue running some, but if not you should have no issue with getting a set; you just might have to look for a set of "low profile" type of one, they would be more likely to be run on a european car then anything

 

I drive my CL year round and Canadian winters can be pretty harsh, I've never had any issues and I'm sure you won't either as long as your careful

 

Get a rental! F'ing CHP will have you chain up 10 miles before there is any snow on the road.

 

My CL with winter tires on the front was basicly unstopable. This year i had Continental DWS and it was pretty good too.

 

i lived in Philly for 4 years with my car slammed and running stock tires and it was ok. not great but a lot better than you would think.

 

Driving up to Tahoe along 80/50, sometimes the CHP has mandatory chain restrictions so winter tires wont be sufficient.

 

i'm sure you've already decided but i'll chip in.
the ze-912's are marketed as an all season but are more like a summer tire. when i had them on, any cold condition would make them slip, whether there was ice or snow or just cold pavement.

as a car, the CL is fine in the snow. mine has a mild drop and it has never gotten stuck.

 

hey guys, thanks for the responses!
I decided on renting a cheap car. Price was good and now I can slam some chains on without worrying of damaging my own car. :P

 

forgot to mention another advantage to that also, who cares if you track snow/mud into the inside


and if you do happen to also wreck it, again not your car....