Driving in New York during the winter

noir_blood

I'm planning to move to New York- specifically the Long Island/Melville area, in the next couple of months to be with my fiancee.

Aside from the standard moving worries, something that's been in my mind is the winter's and how well each of our cars will do. I have a Nissan Sentra, and she has a Versa, both FWD. The fiancee is worried that even with snow tires, that won't be safe enough, and is considering buying something that's AWD.

I'm wondering what everyone that lives/drives in that area has experienced. Is AWD a necessity, or will a good pair of snow tires do? We're both from Texas, so while we occasionally get snow, it's not something we're used to on a normal basis.

Also, if she was to get an AWD car, is there anything you guys recommend off the bat? She's wanting to try to shy away from trucks, suvs, and gas guzzlers, but don't really seem to be having luck finding anything else.

minirhyder

You'll be more than fine with snow tires. We get like maybe two big snow storms during the winter where everything is shut down the day of, and after that it's fine; in between the storms it's all dry.

Dr. Gero

I live in that area and snow is not a big deal. I have a crappy Hyundai Accent without ABS and do fine.

Al_wat

I can assure you that people who live in winter climates much more extreme than New York drive those kinds of vehicles and are fine.

Unless you are talking about Tundra or something, driving in snowy conditions is all about technique.

Deebaser

I grew up in Suffolk County and I never once even thought about putting snow tires on my Saturn LS.

Nassau isn't rural, they plow the roads.

EggyToast

Yeah, not rural, and the ocean will moderate the temperature a bit to save you from the snow nastiness that hits the mainland in CT across the sound. I drove a crappy Honda Wagovan from '86 when I was in college in Minnesota, and because I was in the city areas it was never really a problem. You'll have no trouble with just a normal car.

If you find yourself driving in the snow, just take it easy and don't freak out. You would likely have a bigger problem if you got a car that you thought was "good for snow" and then drove like an idiot on the snow. Snow is rarely the problem on city/suburban streets -- it's the people driving stupidly on the snow. It exacerbates mistakes and makes aggressive behaviors dangerous.

DivideByZero

You really don't need to worry about winter conditions on LI. Even snow tires are overdoing it. The counties and towns here plow their roads pretty thoroughly.

For reference this past winter we had, like, one snowstorm with next to no accumulation. Last year could probably be considered a "bad" year where we didn't see the ground for all of January... and that only entailed three biggish snowfalls of less than 8-12" each. Aside from the one that happened on Christmas, I got into my car the next morning and drove on perfectly plowed parkways for my 35-mile commute. The local roads are always a bit messier due to traffic, but even then it's just not an issue unless the actual town you're moving to has an abysmal public works department.

Shadowfire

Snow tires are plenty. I live in Vermont and have been driving a Focus and Taurus for the past ten years with no issue. Don't drive like a maniac and you will be totally fine. Your bigger concern is the other morons on the road and no amount of 4wd will help keep them home. ;-)

mts

you don't even need snow tires. just don't drive like an idiot, brake early and watch your speed.

bowen

I live near Syracuse where the great lakes shit down snow. This is usually the place you hear about in NY where it snows like Satan's got dandruff and a purpose to ruin people.

I don't even have snow tires on my SUV. Drive carefully, and slow. Snow tires and an SUV with FWD/AWD doesn't make you immune. FWD should be fine.

Triiipledot

the people saying not to worry about it, in my opinion arent giving the best advice.

drive carefully and watch out for black ice, snow tires are not a bad idea if you will be commuting on the highways. while this winters weather wasnt that bad, last year we got hit with tons of snow which made a lot of the highway systems (even the LIE) impassable. i work monitoring the highway systems of the five boroughs and long island and i saw plenty of people get stuck in the snow and the tow companies refused to go out and take them off the road.

if you drive slow and are mindful that at any time your car might skid a little you should be golden. if the snow gets too high dont even bother. oh and have a decent shovel, i know my car got blocked in by waist high wall of snow (due to plows) a couple of times.

bowen

Yup, shovel, emergency kit, heat packs, blankets, possibly a wind up generator in case you need to charge your phone or something. Something like this.

Slow. Always drive slowly. There are times I don't feel safe going 30 even. Best advice though, if it's bad? Don't drive in it.

tinwhiskers

All 4wd really helps with is it is sometime useful to help get your car unstuck. The biggest thing that get people in trouble in winter is driving too fast and then not being able to stop or skidding when they do hit the breaks. I swear i see more 4wd SUVs in the ditch than anything else. Cause you get good pick up when you try to get going, and that makes you think it's less slippery than it really is.

Phant

Bowen and Triiipledot have the most practical advice. Better off being overly cautious than the other way around. As for the vehicles front wheel drive is an advantage when it comes to snow.

Deebaser

Phant wrote: »

Bowen and Triiipledot have the most practical advice. Better off being overly cautious than the other way around.

Dude, Long Island isn't covered in tundra.
If the OP drives carefully, he's fine. He doesn't need snow tires or four wheel drive at all.

DekuStick

Winter tires aren't a bad idea. They may be a little overkill but they do help so I'll recommend putting them on the fiancee's ride just so she can have a little more peace of mind. I did this past Canadian winter on balding summer tires and put it in 4x4 maybe twice. 4x4 doesn't make a difference when you need to stop which is usually the biggest issue with winter driving. Take it slower and you'll come out just fine.

MechMantis

You can get through absolutely anything with any car if you 1: Take your time, and 2: Give anyone else on the road a very wide berth.

The Long Island area isn't known for it's absolutely terrible shitty winters. If you were going to be in the Snowbelt (Syracuse, Watertown, Rochester, the entirety of Western New York), I'd say "Hey yeah the winters are pretty bad, snow tires would be a good idea on top of being careful", but Long Island? The snow's something to be aware of, but not dreadfully afraid of.

EDIT: And to be honest, snow is never something to be dreadfully afraid of. If something looks like it's going to be dreadfully fearful to drive in, stick to main roads if you have to drive at all.

bowen

Deebaser wrote: »

Phant wrote: »

Bowen and Triiipledot have the most practical advice. Better off being overly cautious than the other way around.

Dude, Long Island isn't covered in tundra.
If the OP drives carefully, he's fine. He doesn't need snow tires or four wheel drive at all.

Yeah even up here in the CNY area I never put snow tires on my car (or my SUV). The difference it makes is amazing but you can drive without them if you don't drive like an idiot.