I just got a 2006 coupe for xmas and I'm terrified to drive it in the snow bc of rear wheeled drive! It's my baby and ONLY car! People told me sand bags but how many to I use? Someone also said cider block isn't that to heavy? I have no idea! I just want to be safe and be able to drive! I already got new tires!
kels
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I live in Utah so i get my fare share of driving in the snow.. three sandbags would be perfect. one in the middle and one on either side. Don't be scared, just drive slow and don't slam on your break.
Maybe go practice skidding in a parking lot so you can get comfortable with how your car stops/skids/spins. Best of luck:)
Chris Haas
Sandbags are certainly a tool used in vehicles to improve traction. The added weight over the rear axle will help quite a bit. Cinder blocks are not as heavy as sand (as they are hollow). They are also sometimes sharp and can ruin your carpet. You will need to add at least 80 lbs to make a difference.
Believe it or not, there are many different sandbags on the market, and almost all of them are NOT what you want to get. The most common bag is polypropylene bag (cheap plastic) that is used in flood control. The flimsy fabric will easily tear and leave a mess in your car. The second most common sandbag is a burlap bag, however burlap is wrong for two reasons: they stink, and they leak sand.
What you want is a canvas or nylon sandbag. They are more expensive, but very strong and completely leak proof. The best choice is a nylon tube sandbag. They can stretch across your trunk to evenly disperse weight. Two 48" tube bags should be the ticket. Buy them here: http://www.sandbagstore.com/standard-sandbags--tube-sandbags.html . This is what I use and they are awesome. You can also shop around online for nylon tube sandbags and you might find a better deal.
Just remember sandbags are not a fix all solution. How you drive and road conditions will always be a factor. If you deal with a lot of ice, nothing works as well as studded snow tires, or worst case...chains. Good luck.
Anonymous
Ford Mustang Weight
mailbox1024
Honestly, when i was growing up there were no front wheel drive cars, everything was RWD. i used good snow tires with chains in heavy snow, or good all season radials and just drove a lot slower in poor driving conditions. I used sand bags occasionally and i spread out the weight evenly in the trunk so the weight was equal to either side. The more weight, the worse the gas mileage. So just choose the days you want or need to drive in the snow, otherwise walk or hitch a ride or mass transit.
good luck.......
?
You can use any of those options, sand bags tend to be the best since they are heavy with less volume typically then other options. As far as how much depends on a lot of factors. First, whether you have all season tires or performance, automatic or stick shift, what are the typical winter snows like in your area, and of course your style of driving. The best thing to do is to buy a couple bags of sand, and when it snows make sure you place the bags as close to the rear axle as possible with one bag as far to the outside of the car as possible. This way the weight will be as directly over the tire as possible. You are going to have to try to test drive around in the snow to see how it performs and then try to add more sand bags as needed. Honestly though, Mustangs are one of the worst cars to try to drive in the snow along with all other American muscle cars. Good luck to you is all I can say! :)