If you are planning to venture out in cold weather with your Slingshot, there are a few things you need to consider – driving in cold weather is a substantially different experience from spring, summer, and fall – it’s like driving a different machine!
Cold weather gear is important – you won’t be happy riding if the cold is making you miserable! Some of us go with heated pants, jacket, gloves that all plug into the electrical system. I’ve never done this, not even snowmobiling in sub-zero weather, so I’ll have to let others chime in about their heated gear and what works best. I have conceded to getting older (and circulation getting worse) and ordered a pair of battery powered heated gloves. I’ll review them after I’ve had a chance to try them!
Generally, multiple layers and a good scarf to seal your neck from the cold are a good start. I wear flannel lined jeans in cool weather (40’s), below that I have a pair of insulated bib overalls and a heavy jacket for really cold weather. I got the bib’s from Tractor Supply, they were about $70, and they seal up my leg cuffs well. They aren’t the warmest gear out there, but I have to be able to move, get in and out, control the clutch and brakes without issues. If you try a set of these, make sure you can move well.
Tires act a lot differently in the cold! If you are riding on summer tires (most of us are, I think), then you will see radically different performance when the weather drops below 50 degrees. Tires become stiff and grip is greatly diminished – even on dry pavement. Below 35 degrees, I notice that my traction control is pretty much useless – the idiot light shows a spin-out event almost immediately and then the TC will NOT function until you turn off the engine and restart, and if it is still cold it will happen again almost immediately. I have not found a fix for this – so I just drive with TC off in cold weather.
You need to be more aware of the dips and swales in asphalt in cold weather. Crowned roads and the depressions in asphalt caused by tires from heavy traffic make the surface more uneven – and your cold tires will have more trouble and less control. You may find that you slalom back and forth more – keep your speed down a bit and be aware of the road surface. Passing on a crowned road becomes a real adventure! Moving over the crown can make your sling spin out, especially if you are accelerating as you move left. I recommend that you change lanes, THEN apply the gas. This makes passing more difficult, and you will require more space & time than usual.
Beware of leaves! Leaves will develop frost long before the road surface does, they can be as slick as ice. If leaves have time to get soaked through, they become as slippery as an oil patch and just as difficult to see. Generally leaves and water (or frost) are hella dangerous – treat them like a deep puddle that you might hydroplane in. Reduce your speed and lay off the gas if you come to a patch of leaves!
By all means, enjoy winter driving, I certainly do and its lots more fun than standing in the garage moping about and wishing I was out on the highway!