997 4 in Winter?
03-22-2019, 07:12 AM
#1
Drifting
Thread Starter
997 4 in Winter?
I got my car from Houston and brought it to Rochester NY 2 years ago. Being a Southern car that has never seen snow (looking at the GPS that dealer didn't clear when I bought the car) - I'm very reluctant to use this car year round, so for last 2 years I've put it away around early-November and it comes out mid-late April.
Some of my friends have had or still have 911's and have driven them year round. Mine is a Carrera 4. So with AWD I'm sure it would be fine. But I am still reluctant.
Do any of you guys use your cars all year round? Anything you do to wash, undercoat, different fluids for winters etc? By year round I mean literally, occasional snow storms etc, how do our cars perform on snow and so on?
Some of my friends have had or still have 911's and have driven them year round. Mine is a Carrera 4. So with AWD I'm sure it would be fine. But I am still reluctant.
Do any of you guys use your cars all year round? Anything you do to wash, undercoat, different fluids for winters etc? By year round I mean literally, occasional snow storms etc, how do our cars perform on snow and so on?
03-22-2019, 07:52 AM
#2
Racer
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This is my first year with my car. It is my dd. I’ve put winter tires on it. While others rave about the car I’m still undecided about its handling. I will admit it’s difficult to get used to staying on the throttle when you feel some slip. Perhaps the weight is another issue compared to my other cars. While it’s surely heresy, I’ve been going to a local car wash that offers under carriage cleaning to great ride of all the salt and funk.
03-22-2019, 09:32 AM
#3
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Yes its a car.
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TommyV44 (08-31-2023)
03-22-2019, 10:23 AM
#4
Rocky Mountain High
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A Carrera 4 will do fine in winter conditions with proper winter tires. It will not do well in winter conditions with summer tires, even though it is an AWD car.
Get a set of winters and enjoy it all year! I did it with my 996, my 997, and now with my 991.
Get a set of winters and enjoy it all year! I did it with my 996, my 997, and now with my 991.
03-22-2019, 12:47 PM
#6
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I daily my C4S with winter tires. While seattle doesn’t have that cold of weather I do travel over the mountains frequently. It has done well, even my older S model in the snow did well.
Make sure you get winter tires and then I would recommend auto socks. They are a tire chain alternative that slip over your tires. Haven’t used mine but nice to have in case, plus only $100.
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TommyV44 (08-31-2023)
03-22-2019, 01:52 PM
#7
Burning Brakes
Got a 4S specifically to chase powder in the mountains. Sometimes deep snow. Sometimes whiteout conditions. I was down at Wolf Creek a couple of weeks ago after they reported 28 inches. Drove up a 6.8 percent grade while passing plenty of struggling F150s. For winter prep its a full front Xpel, 18 inch wheels with Pirelli Sottozeros, and collapsible snow shovel in the frunk. The only issue I've had is getting blocked in by a snow plow (hence the shovel). Oh and I lost a brake cooling duct after running over some compacted snow. $35 for a replacement.
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03-22-2019, 02:41 PM
#8
Burning Brakes
Look at this:
It's not even AWD, and they're enjoying the Rockies 
I DD my car here in the Seattle area - so I have a dedicated winter set of wheels/tires (18", and Summers are 19")
And even though I didn't commute in the 997 when I was working in NYC, I did drive the car year round for trips upstate and west.
The only concern for me was the effect of the salt on the bolts in the undercarriage. Nothing about rust in the chassis etc.
Get a set of winter tires, and just be a bit more aware when driving in cold conditions.
I DD my car here in the Seattle area - so I have a dedicated winter set of wheels/tires (18", and Summers are 19")
And even though I didn't commute in the 997 when I was working in NYC, I did drive the car year round for trips upstate and west.
The only concern for me was the effect of the salt on the bolts in the undercarriage. Nothing about rust in the chassis etc.
Get a set of winter tires, and just be a bit more aware when driving in cold conditions.
03-23-2019, 02:08 AM
#9
It's all about the tires. I drive my 997 'S' year round. In winter I install my old 996 18" wheels fitted with Blizzaks. The rear wheel drive is really stable as long as you don't floor it on a bend. I used to have a 996 C4S, which offered more stability in the snow, but not too much more. The rear wheel drive is remarkably stable due to the weight distribution. Enjoy your car all year round, don't hibernate it. Just fit proper winter tires.
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TommyV44 (08-31-2023)
03-23-2019, 06:09 AM
#10
Drifting
Thread Starter
hm, this will mean I get a 3rd set of wheels lol
going to look around for a set of wheels with winters and try this next season maybe
one thing mechanics appreciate a lot up here is Southern cars because nothing is ever rusted/rotted and needs elbow grease (or worse!) that's the only reason I'm asking I guess
thanks guys
going to look around for a set of wheels with winters and try this next season maybe
one thing mechanics appreciate a lot up here is Southern cars because nothing is ever rusted/rotted and needs elbow grease (or worse!) that's the only reason I'm asking I guess
thanks guys
03-23-2019, 07:57 AM
#11
Roman944, I scored a beautiful set of winter wheels and tires on this site. Turbo IIs with Sottozgeros for $2200 from a guy in CT. He even drove them down to me in NJ. One of my fav OEM wheels and a killer deal. Never drove if there was salt on road, but great for cold winter days when the roads where clean or raining. I switched out in November and back to summers in April. Great investment.
03-23-2019, 12:47 PM
#12
RL Community Team
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Anyone who does DIY work on their car would much rather do that work on a car that doesn't see winter, or more specifically salted roads. What that does to all the steel fasteners and the general condition of the car is absolutely awful. Do they work great in the winter with AWD - yep, sure do, but if you plan to keep the one you have for a lot of years and live where they treat the roads in the winter, I'd leave it parked.
03-24-2019, 12:14 AM
#13
Burning Brakes
I keep telling myself it's just a car and it doesn't make any sense to not drive a car you have so much money tied up in. But, i just can't bring myself to drive it on the salt and pothole covered streets. I have to wait until we have had enough rain to wash the salt away. That makes the potholes easier to avoid, too.
03-24-2019, 08:59 AM
#14
Two winters in my 4S and I’m very impressed with its handling of winter conditions. I’ve previously owned a B8 S4 and an STi and those cars may have a leg up when there are very, very low traction conditions. When there has been ice I’ve found the 911 to be especially sketchy. However, the majority of the winter it’s an absolute joy and as previous folks mentioned, being able to do circles around giant 4x4s is hilarious.
All that to say that I have truly never had more fun in a car every day.
All that to say that I have truly never had more fun in a car every day.
03-24-2019, 01:54 PM
#15
Drifting
Two winters in my 4S and I’m very impressed with its handling of winter conditions. I’ve previously owned a B8 S4 and an STi and those cars may have a leg up when there are very, very low traction conditions. When there has been ice I’ve found the 911 to be especially sketchy. However, the majority of the winter it’s an absolute joy and as previous folks mentioned, being able to do circles around giant 4x4s is hilarious.
All that to say that I have truly never had more fun in a car every day.
All that to say that I have truly never had more fun in a car every day.
I just drove mine 6500kms from Toronto to LA for the winter and about to head back up. I am sure i will hit some shiit weather but i got my snows on and its part of the adventure. I used to store my 993 because its crap to drive in the winter but a 997 is a joy