AWD Vibe in the Snow

[Coolharts]

We have about 8" of snow in this part of NC and this is really the first time the AWD/4WD has been put to the test. It did good, but the only problem was the undercarriage hitting the center of the track the trucks have made.

[SeattleJeremy]

Sounds about right, the Vibe has about 6 inches of ground clearance.

What kind of tires are you running?

[Coolharts]

Uniroyal Tiger Paws.

[KITT222]

04 Vibe base FWD - lowered 1.75" with 195/65/15 Firestone Winterforce tires. I can take anything Minnesnowta has thrown at me. Biggest issue is the open diff, but I can get around that pretty easily.



These things are just great in the snow. I can't imagine how good in snow the AWD models are by comparison.

[beemerphile1]

... It did good, but the only problem was the undercarriage hitting....

Yes, up here we deal with snow regularly and clearance can be an issue. I have had the car lift up on top of packed snow to the point that the tires cannot get traction. I always carry a small coal shovel during the winter. I have needed to scoop snow from underneath in order to lower the car back onto its tires.

[Salsa Guy]

Yea My 4WD Trix is a beast in the snow. Power Slides are AWESOME and it's really hard to lose control of it. The 04 RX 330 AWD on the other hand is just no fun at all. You can't disable the TCS and VSC sometimes power slides and spinning wheels are good.

[Coolharts]

AWD Vibes should have a skid plate, looks like the snow banks tore my under engine covers off.

[KITT222]

AWD Vibes should have a skid plate, looks like the snow banks tore my under engine covers off.

That stinks. If you want to pony up for it, Beatrush makes a skid plate for the Celica that should fit the Vibe (same K-frame underneath).

http://www.kamispeed.com/BEATRUSH-Alumi ... 512140.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Improved aero and a skidplate. Only hassle is you need to remove it in order to change the oil filter.

[Salsa Guy]

That would be cool. They also need 50 HP!

[Derf]

The ground clearance can be tight, the major concern I have is the downward facing 2nd O2 sensor on the exhaust pipe. Snow may not be a problem, but Ice can break the wires. Previous owner of my Vibe ripped the wires off the sensor when running over an (already dead) animal in the road. Also cracked some of the plastic panels underneath. If you are getting wedged up on the snow, it may be creating other issues. Have no issue taking the Vibe out in powder snow, but once it starts to setup or refreeze, have to watch out for the underside.

Was thinking of redoing the plastic panels underneath due to some of the existing damage, will look into the Beatbrush plate, an extension off the back to cover the 2nd O2 sensor would be a bonus.