First winter drive in my 25 Type S

[STi from DSM]

So naturally I wanted to take out the ITS during it's first snowstorm to see how everything held up. I have to say I was disappointed. Here are the reasons why...

• The traction control is overly intrusive. To the point where it almost stalls the car on a slippery surface. I found turning it off helps a little bit but just really feel like the car is struggling for traction 1st - 3rd and then is fine once you get up to speed.
• Not sure if it is just the shape of the car but the back window seems to frost up rather easy.
• Also not sure if this is just a design flaw but the rear window defroster does not automatically turn off?

So the car isn't that bad. Lol. I found out my random USB issues were due to the extremely extremely unlikely circumstance of having 3 USB sticks that just don't work. I plug in one of them from work just to give it a shot and BOOM! It works with no issues. Amazing as now I do not need to just listen to Sirius XM or bring my car in for service. This makes me happy.

I have had AWD cars since 2013 so having FWD again has been a MAJOR item to get used to. It's not terrible, but I wouldn't say it's great either. My Hakka R5 are the best winter tire I have come across so I know I am using the correct tire.

Anyone else feel this way? I knew I would need to make some adjustments with this being a FWD car but I feel like I don't have great traction in snow or rain with either my stock PS4's or my Winter Hakka's.

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[akoza]

I don't remember feeling that way before but today I took it out for a drive and had the same sentiment about the traction control. I can't remember if I previously turned the VSA mode to "reduced" (not fully off unless you do the pedal dance) but I did not do it today. Will have to try tomorrow and report back.

 

[elh0102]

With good winter tires, the ITS should be better than average in winter conditions. If the car "almost stalls" with TC on, it's because you have no traction. TC can't create traction, it can only limit wheelspin and aid in stability control. If the tires can't find grip, even at minimum throttle, you're done.

 

[UWU-mancer]

Honestly the type s on snow feels like any other fwd car I’ve ever driven in snow. Not great but decent

 

[Victorofhavoc]

So naturally I wanted to take out the ITS during it's first snowstorm to see how everything held up. I have to say I was disappointed. Here are the reasons why...

• The traction control is overly intrusive. To the point where it almost stalls the car on a slippery surface. I found turning it off helps a little bit but just really feel like the car is struggling for traction 1st - 3rd and then is fine once you get up to speed.
• Not sure if it is just the shape of the car but the back window seems to frost up rather easy.
• Also not sure if this is just a design flaw but the rear window defroster does not automatically turn off?

So the car isn't that bad. Lol. I found out my random USB issues were due to the extremely extremely unlikely circumstance of having 3 USB sticks that just don't work. I plug in one of them from work just to give it a shot and BOOM! It works with no issues. Amazing as now I do not need to just listen to Sirius XM or bring my car in for service. This makes me happy.

I have had AWD cars since 2013 so having FWD again has been a MAJOR item to get used to. It's not terrible, but I wouldn't say it's great either. My Hakka R5 are the best winter tire I have come across so I know I am using the correct tire.

Anyone else feel this way? I knew I would need to make some adjustments with this being a FWD car but I feel like I don't have great traction in snow or rain with either my stock PS4's or my Winter Hakka's.

I feel the opposite. Straight line traction isn't fantastic but cornering traction is great in snow and braking is solid. Any turd will eventually roll, but turning and stopping are key. For reference I'm on a vredstein wintrac pro and the car has been great over ice and up to 5" of snow.

I will say, traction is largely based off your alignment. Get that checked. For winter grip you want 0 toe front, some toe in rear, and as close to zero camber as possible. My factory alignment was fairly out of whack, so it may just be that your alignment isn't ideal, especially for the tire. True ice and snow tires need 0 to positive camber, while performance winters can tolerate some neg camber. That's a factor to consider on a "sports car alignment".

 

[GotSeoul?]

Winter #2 for me, I also have the Vredestein Wintrac Pro's 245/35R19.

Last year in Upstate NY we got hammered with snow, and I routinely took the ITS in straight up blizzards and never had any issues.

Feathering the clutch and gas and keeping RPMs low/medium and I never found myself struggling for traction. Turning and braking were good.

Took it out yesterday in another blizzard, we got almost 10 inches in a day and it plowed through everything.

 

[Frenzal]

ITS is like other FWD cars. Not really better, not worst. Maybe a bit better because of the LSD...

I previously drove Honda Civics, a manual V6 Accord and a Honda Fit and the ITS is similar.

Got my first SH-AWD car last winter and there is a bit difference between the two.

 

[Truemyth]

Any turd will eventually roll, but turning and stopping are key.

Ain't that the truth and honestly not condition dependent either. Anything you can do from equipment, settings to skill to improve the latter is what matters the most in driving IMHO.

 

[optronix]

I would not drive this car in heavy snow. If that's a use case for you, assume the car is compromised. Like others claim, I'd imagine it would work, but not a strong suit.

I would have bought an RS3 if I needed it to perform in snow.

 

[Victorofhavoc]

I drove in about 3" of fresh powder this morning. Car did well on the wintracs and it was a lot of fun to toss! Zero traction "issues" but of course there's some wheelspin.

It's no audi q7 or BMW X7 on ice and snow tires (they basically act like it's dry out), but it's a lot more fun to drive on snow! With 2wd there's just more drama... wheel spin and driver technique just make it more entertaining for me.

Were you running factory alignment on the STi with the hakka, @STi from DSM?

 

[Spart]

The traction control is overly intrusive. To the point where it almost stalls the car on a slippery surface. I found turning it off helps a little bit but just really feel like the car is struggling for traction 1st - 3rd and then is fine once you get up to speed.

I think I’m on the same tires as you, and I don’t feel the same way. It feels like I’m getting the perfect amount of slip. I’m honestly surprised the car lets me do as much as it does without changing the TC settings.

FWIW, I’m in “Individual” mode with these settings:

 

[elh0102]

There are many variables involved, not the least of which is the driver, and the specific road cover (ice vs snow). People have very individual feeling for steering, braking and throttle control. I have not driven my car yet in the snow, but my feeling is that it will do well, relative to other 2wd cars.

 

[MNTeggy]

This is my second winter with the ITS and it handles the snow well for what it is. I had a TLX Type S prior to this and other AWD vehicles before that. My winter setup is the stock wheels with Michelin Pilot Alpin 5s. Works well! To me they’re the winter equivalent of the PS4S. The integra is also fairly light, so if you’ve had heavier cars it may take some getting used to. Overall it’s a fun car as long as the snow’s not too deep!

 

[bullitt]

Are those of you with issues on the stock tires? The Michelin PS4S is a Max Summer tire that should NOT be used in snow at all, and I know on my Mustang even just cold weather makes them skate around like on ice.

 

[bullitt]

I don't have great traction in snow or rain with either my stock PS4's or my Winter Hakka's.

if it's under 40 out the PS4's will be HORRIBLE even if its dry out Under 40 in wet or snow is asking for an accident to happen. I can't speak to the Hakka's as I've never heard of them.

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