Plowing the road with a 2012 Ford Focus and trying not to get stuck! Continental ContiProContact tires, size P215/50R17...also that blinking orange/yellow light is the Advancetrac (traction and stability control)
If you get any snow that sticks on the roads, winter tires are the way to go, all seasons are OK in a pinch but suck compared to winters. I had a SE-R Spec-V sentra that sucked because it came with summer only tires, got winter tires and had no issue.. my sister and parents had the weaker model of the sentra with all seasons & it was garbage. Spend bit of cash, dependant on rim size & choice of rims) & get a tire package for winter,. it is well worth it and you can always sell it later
I gust got a rim and winter tire package from Tire Rack (cost less than canadian compaies in the end) for about 6-10 bucks more a wheel I got some nice dark winter rims...look way better than steelies... and the winter tires will work great... only had them on dry and rainy roads so far... but winter is not far off. Even the cheapest winter tire is better than an all season.
You must be the luckiest person ever because I have a 2012 Focus Titanium and today we had the second snowfall of the season. About six inches of snow. I was unable to leave my work's parking lot without getting stuck three times. Everyone else around me was fine. My colleague had to push my car three times to get me unstuck. I drove back to the parking garage, had her take me home, and now I have to go to tomorrow to get snow tires put on my car. It completely sucks in the snow.
@SonicTours28 Oh My God, winter tires are MUST in winter whether it snows or not!!! Summer tires are freeze in the winter. If the temperature is about 7 Celsius or lower, you MUST use winter tires. God I thought there aren't many idiots in Canada than in the USA, but I guess I was wrong, and I really have to think twice now if I really want to move there. I hope at least you use all-weather tires. Drive safe, Happy New Year.
@sblomsterberg It says right on the website and many professional reviews that the Handling Package comes with performance summer tires. Ford can sell you whatever they want, it's kind of your job to understand what you're buying...you can't just assume a car will work in the snow because it isn't a sports car. They probably offer that combination for people who plan on getting a separate set of tires to run for winter and want more handling performance during the summer.
Man that cars temp wasnt up to the operating tempeture. carful man. and i know no one wants to wait for their car to warm up. can you install an engine block heater on these? i was thinkin about one for my car. idk. nice car though. looks to handle diecent
Really, you should have read the details of the packages you were purchasing. But, don't be too down on the whole thing. It's an expensive lesson but a blessing in disguise. Now you have summer tires which are superior to all-seasons during the summer AND you have winter tires which are superior than all-seasons in the winter. As a fellow Chicagoan, I very much appreciate that you will be less likely to hit me now, year round, with your improved cornering and shorter braking distances. Thanks!
I had an interesting glitch come up on NYE. The car had been parked in the garage for a couple of days, I backed it out of the driveway got about 200' and the power steering assist failed, and a Fault message came up. I drove it around the block and parked it back in the driveway, shut it off and restarted, and no problem since. Anyone else have that happen to them?
At the snow driving, mine has the handling package with the 18" Michelin Sport 3 tires. Word to the wise....keep the focus parked and find other transportation, as these are as advertised....summer only tires. They have been find in the cold weather, but one the white stuff they can get a bit squirrely. I knew this going in when I ordered the car, but apparently alot of owners do NOT!
@SonicTours28 It's a GMC Sierra 1500 SLE/SLE1 4x4 with the 5.3L V8. Four wheel drive is not God tho, but at least you are not cheap with the tires! Drive safe.
@mercmilan06 Yes I do. I did a lot of research on this over the last 24 hours and basically I am beyond pissed off at Ford. They sold me a Titanium w/ the Titanium Handling Package AND a Winter Package. They NEVER told me the tires were "Low Profile Summer Only Tires". W T F. SO UPSET! I live in Chicago - why would they do that? I now have to drop 1186 dollars today on 4 18 inch Blizzak snow tires -___-. If I don't my car is basically a big paperweight. UGH.
If you want something that gets good traction and an All-Terrain Management System I would personally go for the 2013 Ford Explorer Base, XLT, Limited, or Sport. If that deep snow yes go for the Sport. It sits up higher.
If I were any of you I would check with the dealer before I buy a car. Cause that's the best recommendation that a friend of mine gave to me. Go with the advice or believe the lies they give you.
