Ford Ka or C-Max for driving in the snow?

JoanneC_2

Hi Guys,

I was wondering if someone could give me a bit of advice.......

I need to drive to work tomorrow approx 20 miles in the snow - I have two cars, which should I choose? Ford Ka or C-Max? Which is the safest and easiest to drive in the snow?

Thanks in advance.

JonathanA

Does the KA have anti lock brakes? Is the C-MAX petrol or diesel? To be honest it is more down to how you drive - keep it smooth, don't accelerate rapidly, brake gently and use the gears to slow down as well. Try to avoid unnecessary wheelspin.

The CMAX will have anti-lock brakes, and if it is a diesel you will be able to change into a higher gear sooner, all good in snow and ice. But which car do you feel most comfortable driving? Depending on where you live, what is the traffic advice - in many areas it is to only drive if absolutely urgent. If there is a lot of snow, then take a blanket, shovel, flask and some cardboard (to put under the front wheels if you get stuck to give you traction) and a torch, better to go prepared if you have to.

The KA will be lighter, and therefore may be less likely to get stuck. I'm guessing that there are no public transport alternatives for where you want to get to at the time you want to go?

[Deleted User]

buy a land rover

Pete*G_4

assuming both have ABS, TC etc all the same, then I'd go for the one that's got the wider tyres, as the increased surface area on the road will give more grip. You could reduce the PSi in your tyres by 1-2psi all round to give a slight better grip as well, but in all honesty the benefit would hardly be noticeable.

Go for the heavier car with wider wheels, if in any doubt.

The CMax will be FAR safer in the event that you do have a collision compared to the flimsy Ka.

goldspanners

Pete*G wrote: »

Go for the heavier car with wider wheels, if in any doubt.

some might argue the car with the thinner wheels are better for cutting through and gripping snow.

996ducati

goldspanners wrote: »

some might argue the car with the thinner wheels are better for cutting through and gripping snow.

I would second that. look at the Rally Cars that were used in the snow stages in the late 80s. Really ultra skinny wheels and tyres to maximise the pressure on the tread.

My company car has quite wide low profile tyres and wheels and quite honestly is really bad in the snow and conversely is really really grippy in normal conditions.

Secondly the Euro Ncap crash ratings on both cars are pretty much the same. Size is no indication of strength. Big/Strong 4 X 4 s tend to have a high centre of gravity and are more prone to rolling in an accident.

If it was my choice I would take the Ka.

HOWMUCH

My daughters Ka beats our Volvo V70 hands down in the snow if that's any help to you

JoanneC_2

Wow! Thanks guys for your prompt and detailed responses!! Although I'm still not sure which one to take.......I feel safer in the C-Max - (it's a 2.0 diesel - don't know the size of the Ka engine and sorry don't know any other details about the cars - I'm a typical girl!!) - but I feel more confident driving the Ka (I think it's because I feel closer to the road and thus seems like I have more control over it). I'll sleep on it and see what the morning brings. Unfortunately there is no public transport in my area. I work in a hospital and I've taken the last two days off so feel like I should really make an effort to get in tomorrow - wish me luck!!

Pete*G_4

from experience I'd rather take my Astra Coupe out than my OH's Clio, and they've both recently had new sets of (identical) tyres, so I am purely judging on weight. I'd rather my astra as well as the car is more solid and less likely to fold in two upon impact.

I can see the argument that wider/lower profile cars would "float on the snow and be more likely to skid", but then on the other hand cars generally handle better with wider tyres than skinnier ones, and it's obviously going to be magnified in the wet/ice. I'd rather a heavier car, as it'll take more to roll.

BTW, to the person who mentioned 4x4's having higher centre of gravity - i agree you're right but it's not relevant here as we're talking about a comparison between two cars.

vikingaero

I always take the wifes Corsa in snow over a useless 5 series or a Mazda MPV.

jeannieblue

Ka - they seem to nip around in the snow with no problem! Kinda pees me off a bit!