g4benz

So, as most of you probably know, the northeast is going to get hit with a significant snow storm this weekend. This is the first time I personally will be driving my 550 over snow.

Should I raise my ride height via that button that raises the car 1"? Is what what you guys typically do?

My car has the AMG sports appearance package, so it is a bit "low".

KEY08

If you get 40" of snow, I would make some popcorn and watch sports.
I have the same model as you and I never raise it up for snow here even if we get a foot.
oh yeah, good luck with this blizzard. It looks to be a doozy.

jahquan3

It should be interesting to say the least. I've only used the raise all the way up feature to get by flooded areas primarily and it is very useful.

For the most part if the snow is not plowed and it's in the foot range there is a good chance of getting stuck even with the car raised. I will however use it to to traverse patchy areas when I expect to be going 25 mph area and the snow is 4-6 inches thick.

CarolinaBluetec

Stay home.

rediesel

I'm heading to a local ski resort after work today. As much as I'd like to take my new AMG 4-matic wagon with new snow tires I suspect I'll take my RAM 1500 4x4 just for ground clearance. I just have to get that trailer off there first.

g4benz

Definitely a weekend to stay home and watch some Football. I guess 1" will not make too much of a difference anyway. Maybe I will give it a shot for kicks.

NY is lucking out a bit. Up to a foot of snow expected, but nothing like DC, etc. Hopefully the plowers around these parts have plowed us out by the Monday morning commute!

fosterelli

Snow isn't so bad, ice is what gets tricky. But with a low car, I'd rent an AWD SUV or stay home...and if you get a foot, you'll have to wait for the roads to be plowed regardless. Good luck!

jahquan3

If I have to go out I'll just take the Murano but I do want to head out just for a few minutes when a couple of inches have fallen. Looking to see how the RWD does in the snow.

mrmotoguzzi00

The extra 1" isn't gonna help much, if ya really plan to drive in snow you need 4 good snow tires like Blizzak or Hakkapeliitta.

Remember just cause you have 4wd and can accelerate well you can't stop any better than people with 2wd

This coming from an ex New Englander who drove Audi Quattro's for years....

Had an extra set of rims with snows and swapped over when they announced the 1st snow of the season...

El Cid

Absolutely. Just look at all theFWD, 4WD and AWD cars sliding around on the weather channel. The snow turns to ice.

Airmousam

I've raised mine a few times with heavy snow, but cant say it makes much of a diff. These cars are great in the snow provided you have at least all season tires....have fun and I'm real happy this storm is missing us this time. Go Pats!!

Abrown3mtg

If you lowered the vehicle from stock but did not correct any chamber issues, than I would say raising it will increase the contact area of the tires as much as possible. If suspension is all stock, I doubt raising it will have little effect. As stated above, these cars are much easier to get moving than to stop in adverse conditions. Empty parking lot is a great place to test this concept... and actual streets tend to be even more slick due to exhaust/black ice. Good luck!

cetialpha5

Only real advice is to go slow on the turns and easy on the throttle. And no sudden moves. Last year we got over 100 inches of snow and I wasn't that happy with 4matic, rear end still slid out on turns at regular speeds, my other front wheel drive car was better. I mainly blame the tires, when they're too wide, they just tend to slide around, 245 is just too wide, didn't have that much trouble with snow when tires were in the 175-215 range.

g4benz

Well we are getting up to 2 feet now. Somehow I think I won't be driving for the next couple of days ha ha. I'll let you guys know my snow driving experience on Monday!

CEB

Correct. The yardstick in my front yard showed 19 inches this morning.

The same county snowplow that tried to turn around in the ditch in front of my house (getting stuck for two hours in the process) last night took out a BMW next to my mailbox this morning.

Still coming down strong. Winds are expected to increase tonight so we'll have another batch of snow to clear tomorrow.

Nobody in their right mind is on the roads today unless you are a first responder or plow operator.

g4benz

Poor BMW! Yeah it's bad out here. As a matter of fact when all is said and done I would expect almost 3 feet of snow in the NY tri-state area. Whenever we get this kinda snow I always regret not buying a truck! Be safe everyone.

Benzgeist

If you are asking the question then I'm guessing that you don't know how to drive in the snow. If that is the case then stay home. A major snow storm is not the time to try your luck. If you have to go out, drive slow. Slower. Keep your distance between yourself and the car in front. More distance. Even more. If you have to be on the freeway then lock yourself behind a semi, he'll plow the road for you. Stay in the tracks already plowed by the above mentioned semi or other vehicles and do not change lanes unless absolutely necessary. Better yet, stay home.

Munich77

I Know what you mean I wish I had a Land Cruiser or something right now....would be nice to have a truck as a third vehicle.

g4benz

I've been driving in the snow for almost 20 years now. The question was basically about using the ride height feature in the snow.

Time to go shovel!

CEB

Well that was fun. 4 hours of snowblowing and now I've got to spend tomorrow finishing up with a shovel.

I've got a 130 ft driveway and a landscaper stopped by to offer to shovel it for $200.

KEY08

Ouch. My brother-in-law lives in Silver Spring and got 30". He cleared the driveway, but as of last night no plow has come down his street, so he is SOL.

g4benz

We got around 25 inches in NY - fell short of the all-time snow record by an inch.

Yesterday was cleanup day! Today, back to work. The snow plows around here have done a good job on the main highways. The back roads are another story.

The 4-MATIC is pretty nice! I did "slide" a bit during turns over some back road snow, but that's to be expected with any vehicle. But, hey, I feel more safe in this car than any other non-AWD car I've owned. I did try the 1" raise for kicks to see if it works and it does. No airmatic issues for me yet and not hoping for any in the future!

Munich77

It was pretty bad here - finally was able to dig out today. Most of the DC area will still be closed tomorrow.

jahquan3

My town is still closed today (schools etc.) due to many un-plowed roads still left today. I had to take off yesterday since I was pretty much stuck. I did take the car out last night and there was 2-3 inches left on the road even after plowing on the streets that got done. My RWD held up fairly well, with a few traction control light ups and some slight getting stuck moments but it pulled through each time.

I usually ride in sports mode suspension but I left it in comfort last night and today on my way to work. Overall, I'm quite impressed with how the car has held up. One thing I did notice Sunday was after I shoveled the car out and turn it on it had the (Wait for car to raise) message come up that I've never seen previously. I assume, all the weight of the snow on top of the car confused the system some how. We got about 27 inches where I'm at.

CEB

I suspect that we'll be back up tomorrow (Wednesday).

As an aside - I've been in much worse in Munich and the city never closed down.