GT- Auto or Manual in the snow?

[DraftHorsePower]

I'm currently starting the order process of a new GT... and it got me wondering... yes i know an auto mustang is well.... just lacking something (so i'm told and of course i know it's right), but i've never driven manuals before (i did test drive a GT manual the other day, and made it around just fine, but not very fast, however, i'm proud to say i didn't kill it untill i stopped & tried to park it.)

I'm used to driving my V6 automatic in the snow... and well... snow is a big issue where i live. We have about 4' of snow from december till april every year here. My dad is swearing that i will have a really hard time with a manual v8 in the snow and wants me to get an auto again, but someone else told me that they are actually better in the snow... so which is it? Am i going to have a hell of a time with that much new power and learning to drive a manual in the dead of winter, or will i eventually survive and be happy that i went with it?

If someone can give me some hard evidence either way i would love it! thanks!

 

[Ernad]

MANUAL!!!!!!!!! Far better in the snow(BTW, don't be afraid to put in what state you live). With the manual you are fully in control as to how much power gets to the rear wheels. So starting is better. Plus, you can slow your car by downshifting, which can be very beneficial in snow. I would recommend you a manual, because it is better in the winter, plus it's a lot more fun to drive anyways. If your inexperienced with it, you would need to practice it to 'perfect' it. However, if you do not feel comfortable with it, then it's up to you.

 

[Ferf]

Manual! For the exact reasons noted above!!!

later,

Chris

 

[falchulk]

Ummmm no. Its bad for the exact reasons above. You will have to move the car in 2nd or higher to keep the wheels from spinning in slick conditions. You stand a VERY good chance of causing a skid if you downshift while moveing. You dont have these problems with a manual. With an auto to go slow down hills, you drop it to 2 or 1 period. A manual suck in the snow also because a lot of times you need to use the brake and gas at almost the same time ona hill. Not to easy with a manual.

 

[120rir]

Absolutely manual. Speaking from many years of automatic vs manual driving in snowy conditions (New England) I can attest I'd rather have a manual any day. Besides, isn't an automatic in a Mustang a bit like heresy? C'mon...automatics are for soccer moms!

 

[DraftHorsePower]

Ok yeah, now i'm kind of leaning towards the manual... BUT i'm going to test drive my dealer's GT auto today.... and then i will go down to the city tomorrow and test out their GT manual (they told me that i could drive it for a good while and they would teach me how to drive it, the one i test drove before (at a different dealer), the guy only let me take down one road, it was kind of pathetic, he thought i was going to crash it or something wtf?! lol but it was fun!)

plus it's cheaper! woo.

 

[Razinhell]

There is no way an Auto is better in the snow. No matter what you have more control over the power applied directly to the tires with the manual. In the auto you try to guage the power to the tire and be light on the gas. While the manual you can be light on the gas and feather the clutch. You can use downshifting to slow your self down, if you aren't good with down shifting then you can cause tire chirping which was stated above. The better you get with a manual the better control of the car you will have. The reason i think people feel an auto is better is because you have less physical things to get in the way and people feel Brake, Gas, Steer is better then clutch, shifter, brake, gas and steer. The manual gives you more options which overwhelms some people when dangerous driving conditions appear. This sort of goes for FWD and RWD. RWD isn't harder to drive in snow just different. I have never had any problems with my old 01 GT in a blizzard on a major hwy.

 

[SWortham]

I dunno... I had a 5-speed manual Mustang, I drove it in the snow and in the rain. I must say that even though you have more control, it's still hard to get traction. I can see how some people might say an auto would do better in the snow. BUT, that still doesn't hold me back from saying that you should get a manual. I despise automatic transmissions, especially if it's a Ford. The manual is the way to go with the Mustang, hands down.

 

[cadmng]

I have been driving Mustang since1982, all of them manual
You do have better control in the snow, unless they put-it optional, your new Mustang will have traction control. One advice, SNOW tire is a must. Don’t believe people that tell you that you can get away with all season tires. I speak from experience
I also get snow from December thru April, last year we got now in may!

 

[falchulk]

If you live in a hilly area, you are going to absolutely regret a manual in the snow. Also, while you can control the gear, a manual will spin the tires more easily then an auto from a stop.

 

[DraftHorsePower]

One advice, SNOW tire is a must.

oh absolutly, my current stang wears studless snow tires all year long, we also get snow at random times. lol.

falchulk- our area is pretty flat. We live in a valley, and the only hills are when you leave the valley. Once you get out of the valley it is flat everywhere else also. We do have one really nasty pass area trying to get out, but we don't even drive it in auto cars in the winter... yeah... road people are stupid, they build a road on a mountain right next to a cliff and then decide it doesn't need guard rails. eeek.

 

[TurboE]

Get the manual. Snow driving sucks either way, at least you'll have more fun on the nice days. With the manual start in 2nd gear and use very very minimal gas its ok to almost stall the engine vs. breaking the wheels loose, and shift early (low rpm). Also let the clutch out slow and smooth who cares if you wear the clutch slightly more than a normal shift at least you won't spin the tires. That is being said from someone that has been driving a manual with performance tires in the snow (stupid idea). If you are conserned when it first snows (a small amount) go to a open parking lot take off the traction control and get used to the car and its reactions, then use the traction control and do the same. If you perfect it without and then use the traction control you should be fine. Just drive slow nothing works on ice.

 

[LXXVICOBRA]

There may be pros and cons to both on this issue, but, I think an important point is being missed here. The poster asking the question appears to be a relatively new (young) driver and one that has never driven a manual, (much less a 300 hp car), and possibly one that has little previous experience with RWD, in a car that is LEGEND in the sense that it has a light ass end and traditionally is a bitch to handle on ice or in any amount of appreciable snow.

The only advantage THIS driver may have with a manual, would be for rocking herself out of a ditch.... after losing control of such a performance car with his (likely) limited winter driving experience. Auto trans cars can (even more easily) be controlled in slides by shifting into neutral when necessary, and are less likely to spin from a stop if you just let the car (creep from idle) a bit before accelerating....something harder to do with the manual. They are less likely to "slide sideways" during upshifts too, on icy or hard packed roads. In a nutshell...they far more forgiving for an inexperienced driver.

If you are off the road, or in an accident...it really matters little to anyone at that point whether it's a manual or an automatic. Being smart beats going along with "popular opinion" everytime.

 

[sskttg]

Manual....But imine won't see snow cuz it is going into a climate controled garage next month

 

[QCStang]

Speaking from experience, auto.

Where I live we get 10-15 feet of snow in the winter, and 2 week cold spells that make Vermont seem like Miami. This is the first winter I'm not driving my '95 GT, got a winter car now. And I have driven everything in my 30 years of driving.

With the 95 (its an AODE), I would leave the car in OD, less chance of tire spin.
ABS is useless. Shift to neutral, pump the brakes. Blizzack winter tires. The auto leaves you one less thing to think/do when you lose it. Like someone else previously said, try a manual on a hill in a foot of snow. Crap, I wouldn't be able to get in my driveway, let alone up a hill at a traffic light. Do that on the way to work with a coffee in your hand...

Oh, and to those guys that say the manual is faster: ever seen an auto GT with a high stall torque converter, Lentech valvebody (no, not a shift kit) and B&M shifter? It'll kick your @ss. And the tranny will take more abuse to boot.

 

[el1976pinto]

Alright. I grew up in Buffalo NY and Pittsburgh PA. YO, Thats is Winter Hell.
I learned to drive in that crap. I had an 84 Monte Carlo with a 400 small block, auto trans and a limited slip diff. I delivered pizzas all winter long in that car and only lost control about a bazillion times. Somehow I never killed anyone. It was one hand on the wheel, one hand on the shifter, ready to throw it in neutral ( and sometimes reverse, crazy times), and one foot on the gas and one on the brake.
I would have loved to have a manual tranny in that car. I can only say from personal experience that a manual is far superior in all driving conditions. Period.

 

[RangerMan]

Alright. I grew up in Buffalo NY and Pittsburgh PA. YO, Thats is Winter Hell.
I learned to drive in that crap. I had an 84 Monte Carlo with a 400 small block, auto trans and a limited slip diff. I delivered pizzas all winter long in that car and only lost control about a bazillion times. Somehow I never killed anyone. It was one hand on the wheel, one hand on the shifter, ready to throw it in neutral ( and sometimes reverse, crazy times), and one foot on the gas and one on the brake.
I would have loved to have a manual tranny in that car. I can only say from personal experience that a manual is far superior in all driving conditions. Period.

My first car was a '78 Cutlass Supreme. Very similar to a Monte Carlo. I only had the little V8 and I didn't have limited slip and that car sucked in the snow as well.

I also live in western NY. The only way to go is with a manual. Your wheels are more controlled with the manual. You can start in second and slip the clutch if you have to...just another degree of freedom you don't have with the auto. Last year we got 100" of snow and where I live is pretty hilly. If you can drive a manual well you won't regret it at all. Snows are a must.

 

[Miss Ruby Red]

Hi I have a Gt 2014 automatic mustang , I love my car , I am afraid to drive her in the snow and Icey weather , what to do ,

 

[racerraj]

Miss Ruby - Good winter tires. DraftHorsePower - Manual is fine. You'll learn more finesse with the clutch in the snow too. They both work fine, each requires slightly different driving tactics.