Driveng A Cayman In The Snow

[Macan360]

All

As a new Porsche Cayman S 2006 owner I am interested in peoples opinon of driveing them in bad weather espeacially snow and ice.

Anybody got good or bad experience?

Yes I know I could fit winter tyres but is it necassary especially with cost as it is.

Any other advice or preperation required

Trevor (Cayman 295)

 

[JohnP]

I run a 2006 S. I also have a gentle up-slope from the garage to the road. The car is used in all weathers and with snow or ice about it can be tricky to reach the road. Personally I prefer to use winter tyres and run a set of Contis on 18" wheels for winter use reverting to the Michelin fitted 19" wheels once the temperatures start to rise. Although the initial cost of winter tyres is a burden the improved safety and driveability they provide during the colder months have made me a big fan. Of course when the winter tyres are fitted the summer ones are not being used so over the long term the extra costs are well spread out. Winter tyres come into their own once the temperature drops below 7C, which round here in Lincolnshire is for about 4 months of the year. The tyres can be used safely at much higher temperatures (information from Conti) should we get warmer weather such as in March. In addition should you go to the continent in the winter many counties, Germany for example, mandate the use of winter tyres. As far as driving characteristics are concerned in dry cold conditions there is more detectable movement with the winter tyres (bear in mind I am comparing different types of tyres, different makes of tyre and different wheel sizes) but once into icy, snowy or slushy conditions the winter tyres really come into their own. I'm a fan and would recommend them to anyone who uses their car for every day use. Regardless of tyre type when manoeuvring at slow speeds in snowy conditions it can be advantageous, in any car, to switch off the ESP/PSM system.

 

[colski1961]

Hi, I drove my Cayman R on the day I collected - 144 miles - in snow, rain and freezing conditions - all with no issues, obviously needed to keep speed down and avoid heavy braking and full throtle BUT no real problems and got my new car home safely

 

[Buddy]

I've driven mine in snow, slush and freezing conditions but only with summer tyres and thankfully they had plenty of tread, traction was good and the balance of course helps a great deal but now that winter tyres are becoming more available I do intend to get a set for next winter after glowing reports from Spudwiser and others. I did see a demonstration on You tube taken at an ice rink of a BMW with summer, all season and winter tyres, pretty conclusive stuff.

 

[gmcraib]

Only had mine a year but didn't drive it much over winter (not that it was a bad winter mind you). I bought an old audi quattro instead for a little more than a set of winter tyres and wheels. Can see the logic in winters tyres spreading the cost out with not using summer tyres, i thought there is more value in spending the money on a car, plus as its 4wd useful for snowboarding trips. Can't fit much snowboard gear in a cayman! The other reasons I'm not keen on driving the cayman in the winter is the level of dirt and road salt that the car will pick up. plus somebody could crash into you. I'd also like to keep the mileage down on the cayman so the audi useful as a daily driver. Although with a ten year old 3L petrol engine that has done over 140k miles I wouldn't say it saves me much in petrol!! Its awful not driving the cayman though, I just love driving that car.

 

[NNH]

I used my Cayman for two snowy winters in Delaware USA before bringing it with me to the UK. On Blizzak winter tyres, it was great in the snow, even on days when the snow plows were late starting. And I got to play rally driver on the corner at the end of my street every morning...

 

[Spudwiser]

Please see my comments about snow driving and winter tyres on the IMS bearing post - is sort of related to the bearing post and makes sense if you read it, honest !

 

[NNH]

Just found a picture of the day I learned not to park at the top of the driveway, as it made for a lot of digging to get the car out! Still, on plowed roads with light snow, the Cayman was very happy on winter tyres.

 

[NNH]

On the other hand, the following Spring I rather casually took a short cut over a mountain pass in Utah. This photo was about 30 minutes, 20 miles, and 10 degrees before the car became rather skittish on summer tyres in a snowstorm. Not recommended...