[Neo]

Hey All,
I hope that this is OK, but I was thinking about starting a thread about the adventures of driving a Niro in the Colorado. Colorado can present a number of challenges for a car from the weather and road conditions to what we ask our cars to do out here. My hope is that this will help inform other about this cars abilities.
I will dispense with some of MY particulars and jump right in to today’s challenge …. Damaging Hail.
So, my 3 week old Niro was involved a golf ball size or larger hail event this afternoon. Yep, the weather gods are not happy with me. So, now my Niro is no longer a virgin, let the door dings begin.
All the cars in the area were heavily damaged, including mine. The one plus I can add is that the, rear visor over the back window (not sure what the correct term is) must have acted as a hail shield and protected the back window from being shattered as had happened to a number of cars. I am also glad that I don’t have a sunroof; many were shattered.
Pictures attached.
Later, I will talk about driving switchback in the mountain. That will be more fun J
Neo

 

[Neo]

Hail

 

[Jay]

I just saw a video of the dark cloud that swept down and dumped hail over Denver. My condolences.

 

[PAULRIDES]

NEO ---

Very sad for your experience with hail.

Hopefully, insurance will cover and seems like you might get totaled (new car maybe).

Worst hail I have ever had was about 5 minutes (golf ball size or a little smaller) on a 1990 Pontiac that was a couple years old. You could see dings, but not bad. Insurance paid me $1200 and I left it as it was.

Traded it in 1995 - don't think trade in adjuster noticed (got a good trade value). I am sure larger hail would be another story.

 

[basicbill]

Wow....that hail sure did a number on the roof! It's hard to see but I'm guessing that the hood got it too.
That would be almost impossible to fix.
Are you expecting a write off?

 

[Neo]

Thanks for the condolences.


I don't think it's possible for hail to total a car. That said just about every horizontal surface of the car is dented. I attached some better pics of the damage. I seems that the damage is pretty extreme, as the size of the dents. In particular I was surprised by the depth of the dents on the A pillars, which should be very strong. Not sure how that's going to be repaired.


My bigger concern is that I want to make sure that the windshield is replaced with the OEM sound absorbing glass.


Wish me luck, I really love this little car.


Neo

 

[Neo]

A pillar dent

 

[yticolev]

In particular I was surprised by the depth of the dents on the A pillars, which should be very strong. Not sure how that's going to be repaired.

I have no doubt they are strong. Engineering focuses on strength where it is needed. That A pillar, even now, will absorb/resist a force trying to bend the whole pillar from a side impact or rollover. But the skin can be dented pretty easily. If it can't, you are driving a tank, not a car.

Think about an empty Coke can. Pretty strong, or strong enough, when full. Can stack hundreds high.

 

[Neo]

yticolev,


Yep, not questioning the structural strength the pillar. What I was referring to was that outside surface of the this structural member is pretty stiff because the surface that the hail hit is short before it turns down away from the hit. There really shouldn't be a lot of give of surface as opposed to say the hood or roof. But, the hail slammed do hard into the car that it left one heck of the dent. Mind you other cars in the parking lot also had dents in the same area, though I don't think as deep. I wouldn't be surprised if some of the sheet metal might thinner on the Niro for weight saves, but I'll take that fuel saving as long as the car passes the crash test


Neo

 

[NiroLXnewbuyer]

Colorado

I am picking up a new one this week - I sure hope I like it and I cannot wait to see how it performs in the mountains. Keep me posted on yours! Any engine issues like on the Help thread forum? Thanks!

 

[jpear]

What do you mean by "switchback"?

 

[jpear]

Niro hood is aluminum. So I would expect it to dent easily from large-sized hail.

 

[jpear]

Niro mountain trip was great....Niro performed nicely with mountainous driving.

 

[jpear]

Hey All,
I hope that this is OK, but I was thinking about starting a thread about the adventures of driving a Niro in the Colorado. Colorado can present a number of challenges for a car from the weather and road conditions to what we ask our cars to do out here. My hope is that this will help inform other about this cars abilities.
I will dispense with some of MY particulars and jump right in to today’s challenge …. Damaging Hail.
So, my 3 week old Niro was involved a golf ball size or larger hail event this afternoon. Yep, the weather gods are not happy with me. So, now my Niro is no longer a virgin, let the door dings begin.
All the cars in the area were heavily damaged, including mine. The one plus I can add is that the, rear visor over the back window (not sure what the correct term is) must have acted as a hail shield and protected the back window from being shattered as had happened to a number of cars. I am also glad that I don’t have a sunroof; many were shattered.
Pictures attached.
Later, I will talk about driving switchback in the mountain. That will be more fun J
Neo

I'm moving to Westminster, CO the end of Sept. haven't driven in snow......I'm wondering what it will be like. :O

 

[Neo]

First Real Snow

Sorry, it has been a while. So, we had our first real snow fall today. By time I started my drive we had about 4 in. and the temp. was a around 32F. Before I get too far along in describing by commute, full disclosure, I am run on new snow tires. More on those further down.


The Niro did great! I love the car's handling, which I think is one of the more important factors in winter drive. I kept the trans in Eco mode and I don't think I saw the traction light come on at all. Speeds down the foothills was only about 20-25 mph because I was behind a slow Subaru, but I know from Facebook that at least one owner of an AWD vehicle drove back home and waited for the roads to be cleared more. For me, the path was plowed so all was good.


This brings to my mantra, Snow Tires, Snow Tires, Snow Tires ... Worried about how any vehicle will do in the snow? Get a second set of wheels and put good snow tires on them. In all of the important criteria, your driving performance will greatly improve in the snow. A car's handle is significantly affected by the tire and driving in snow is no different. In the real world driving, I believe my FWD car performs better on snowy roads than a AWD or 4WD vehicle with the all season or off-road tires those drives tend to use. Now, if I just had a few more inches of ground clearance I would be unstoppable.


Second point, I went with Tire Racks latest recommendation for the Niro which is actually to put smaller wheels (15 in.) and taller tires (65 ratio) on the car. I was skeptical but this tire and wheel combo was cheaper. After driving on then, I really like the added tire height. I feels like it is absorbing the bumps and snow ruts a lot better than how I imagine the OEM tires sizes would have.


Note dog pictures added for snow depth reference. Tire tracks on that long driveway made with the Niro, trying to pack down the snow for tomorrows drive back up the driveway.


OK, Have fun out there ...


Neo

 

[Griswald]

People drove in snow for nearly 100 years before FWD cars, so it can be done.

Also, I love snow, dont get much of it here...too bad.