Winter Driving 1994 Jag XJS

[cadfaeltex]

Now have a 1994 Jaguar XJS as my daily driver. Really enjoyed it so far but winter is coming here to the KC area. I'm a Texas boy so the last 2 years here have been my real introduction to winter driving.

What can I do to winterize my Jag? More driveable? Protection from the elements?

Noticed that tire rack has a 'winter set' for it at $860.

 

[Lead Shoes]

Wash it good, then apply a sealant to save the paint some, then get a set of winter tires, that's about all you can do, besides switch to 0wX oil

 

[The_Jeff]

For $860 buy a 1994 saturn and some good (snow?) tires from the junkyard. Park the jag.

What does winter bring to your area? Ice? Got hills? Do you absolutely have to be somewhere or can you stay home if the city shuts down?

 

[cadfaeltex]

Originally Posted By: eljefino
For $860 buy a 1994 saturn and some good (snow?) tires from the junkyard. Park the jag.

What does winter bring to your area? Ice? Got hills? Do you absolutely have to be somewhere or can you stay home if the city shuts down?


Thought about getting a 'winter' car but don't have a space to park it. The last couple of years we've gotten deep (for me) snow, ice, we do have hills. I really can't stay home with my job.

 

[The_Jeff]

How frequent are your storms? You might do well with chains or spikes spiders on your drive wheels if you only get a couple doozies. If you get substantial snow every week, snow tires would be worth it.

 

[cadfaeltex]

Hard for me to tell with only 2 years background,and I think they were harder than usual, but the temp stayed cold enough in January and February so that the snow accumulated for weeks.

The last two years I've had a couple of different cars - a Mini Cooper convertible and a Lexus IS 350 C. Didn't feel comfortable driving either when the roads were at there worst - the Mini do to the height and the Lexus do to the high horse rear-wheel drive layout.

Actually was looking at an '89 Chevy 2500 pickup on our lemon lot here yesterday. Been thinking about getting an older pickup for a bit to knock about in. It was rear wheel drive and not 4 wheel so I didn't think about it as a good winter beater.

 

[123Saab]

Look for a used Ford Ranger 4x4. Great winter trucks and cheap to maintain.

 

[Astro14]

I would go winter beater if you like your jag...salt will eventually eat it from underneath...

If you're going to drive it in snow - then that Tire Rack set is perfect. There is simply no comparison between all season tires and true winter/snow tires...it's like the difference between sneakers and snow boots...sneakers are good all around, but in the winter...

The jag would make a great snow car with those tires and its inherent balance and handling...

 

[cadfaeltex]

Originally Posted By: Astro14
I would go winter beater if you like your jag...salt will eventually eat it from underneath...

If you're going to drive it in snow - then that Tire Rack set is perfect. There is simply no comparison between all season tires and true winter/snow tires...it's like the difference between sneakers and snow boots...sneakers are good all around, but in the winter...

The jag would make a great snow car with those tires and its inherent balance and handling...


Rust is a concern with the Jag to me. However, it is my Dave Ramsey beater so I guess I shouldn't get too attached to it

Snow tires would held the traction but what about the clearance? (Caveat: not a super experience winter driver)

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted By: eljefino
For $860 buy a 1994 saturn and some good (snow?) tires from the junkyard. Park the jag.

What does winter bring to your area? Ice? Got hills? Do you absolutely have to be somewhere or can you stay home if the city shuts down?


This. I'm driving the Expedition. 4x4 on some LTX's, heated seats and lots of ground clearance.

 

[abycat]

I have a four wheel drive with awesome 31" tires on it and Driving on some nasty canadian winter roads and even off road I have never had a problem. My wife drives a camaro all year round and she does not have a problem. I just get her really good winter tires for on her steel rims and have nice rubber bands on some s-10 extreme rims for the summer. I just change them over at home when it starts getting bad out or getting nice out. I was looking at a 2001 jag x-type. It has a 435 hp supercharged v-8 and is rear wheel drive. I felt that the wife could drive it safely in the winter but it sold quick at 9000$ It was mint as well not a mark on it. it only had 120,000km on it.

If you had the room and a little bit of extra cash you could get a older truck like mine and use it in the winter and save your jags paint and lack of rust. You need to get a winter driven car painted and repaired every few years to keep it mint up here at least.
Get a truck a 4x4 you will be quite happy. I paid 2000 for mine and it is in pretty good shape. it even has a 6-cyl that is good for lugging around and gets pretty good gas mileage. Has more than enough power and is pretty fun and versitile.

 

[MrRPM]

I have been driving a front wheeldrive pontiac vibe with street tires in michigans winter for the last 4 years.

I just now got a jeep wrangler for this upcoming winter.

if your smart and have the right technique and know when to turn around you dont need anything special.

 

[Astro14]

I wouldn't sweat the clearance...used to drive a FWD Volvo 850 in the snow...with 4 Nokian Hakapelliitta snow tires on it, it would drag the undercarriage in fresh powder without slowing down...that was about a 7"-8" snow fall and it would pull through a drift that was a bit more...depending on snow density...the key is traction...

If you're getting more than that without the plows coming by, you probably shouldn't be out anyway...

 

[meep]

jag is rear-drive, right?

I'd get a full set of snow tires on steel wheels from tire rack and swap them in when it gets cold. keep a garden hose and sprinkler handy (thawed) and periodically shove it beneath the jag to wash out salt and grime.

make sure your antifreeze is fresh and properly mixed 50/50 distilled water.

lube locks, hinges with lithium grease. improvise depending on where you park to prevent door seals from freezing shut. Idle it just long enough to scrape the windows then drive. no idling for 15 minutes....

practice at 2:00 am or in empty spaces to understand how YOUR car handles in a panic.

Keep a couple of LARGE bags of clay kitty litter in the trunk (assuming rwd) for added traction, dump it beneath the driven wheels if you get stuck, for more traction.

Carry a shovel, not necessarily a snow shovel, but like a flat nose garden shovel.

and if you travel rural, blankets, water, foodstuffs, flares, and a tow strap, a bigger one than you think you need.

M

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted By: Astro14
I wouldn't sweat the clearance...used to drive a FWD Volvo 850 in the snow...with 4 Nokian Hakapelliitta snow tires on it, it would drag the undercarriage in fresh powder without slowing down...that was about a 7"-8" snow fall and it would pull through a drift that was a bit more...depending on snow density...the key is traction...

If you're getting more than that without the plows coming by, you probably shouldn't be out anyway...


But that is when it is the most fun to be out!

 

[cadfaeltex]

Originally Posted By: Astro14


If you're getting more than that without the plows coming by, you probably shouldn't be out anyway...



Oh that I had that choice. Sometimes it sucks be 'essential personnel'.

 

[123Saab]

Originally Posted By: cadfaeltex
Originally Posted By: Astro14


If you're getting more than that without the plows coming by, you probably shouldn't be out anyway...



Oh that I had that choice. Sometimes it sucks be 'essential personnel'.


In that case, I repeat.....Get a Nice used 4wd compact truck.

 

[MrRPM]

Originally Posted By: meep
jag is rear-drive, right?


practice at 2:00 am or in empty spaces to understand how YOUR car handles in a panic.

M


I love this Idea, since your new with snow, find an empty parking lot at night and go slide around and have some fun. Its amazing what it can do for you when you find yourself sliding off the road, your body will automatically know what to do in a panic situation.

 

[hattaresguy]

jag's do OK in the snow, just make sure you have good all seasons on it and keep the fuel tank full.

Winter tires couldn't hurt but are not necessary.

It will certainly do better than any RWD pickup.

 

[ffracer]

RWD isn't an issue if:

1. You have good driving skills, especially good car control in snow
2. You have the right tires
3. The car has balanced handling (Jag does)
4. Helps a lot with a manual transmission

However, a Jag is not a good idea.

1. A Jag in salt will be a short term ownership. Very short
2, They are very hard to clean completely of salt, once immersed.