Driving in Snow??? - Page 2

SteveA · 11-17-2008, 07:02 PM

Along the lines of "Anticipate". Before you enter a turn slow to the speed you need to be going in the turn. If you are going too fast and brake in the turn you will lose traction.

Don't get all paranoid from these responses. Keep your speed down, anticipate and pay attention and you'll be fine. I find driving in snow kind of fun sometimes. I don't get to do it much anymore though.

hotreds · 11-17-2008, 07:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveA

Don't get all paranoid from these responses.

Yeah, we don't want to scare you to death! However, driving in snow is tricky, but if you follow the advice here you'll do fine. Again, with all the humanity you're hauling, if you feel unsafe, just stop and get a room!

gettysburgfreak · 11-17-2008, 08:17 PM

Drive slow, hands at 10 and 2, if you see snow drifts across the road get your foot off the pedal and DONT BRAKE. NY winters sucks by the way. I once had to stick my head out the window just to make my way back to campus and it was a half a mile drive.

Opusfxd · 11-17-2008, 10:24 PM

From my memory:
Crack a window, snow sounds crunchy when driving on it - ice is silent.
When sliding, look where you want to go, steer in that direction, no brakes, no gas.
4WD slide just as good as 2 WD
Pumping the brakes aren't anywhere near as good as putting them at maximum threshold braking (need to try this one for best effectiveness)
And most importantly, clean your entire windshield!

macpappy · 11-18-2008, 05:31 AM

Just a curious question for all you northerners since its been a while since I lived anywhere that actually had snow. Are studded snow tires still legal? Do the still sell snow chains?

This isn't a solution or an option for a tourist but I lived in Washington state for six years back in the dark days of the 1970s and learned to hate snow chains (or those plastic and nylon strap things with a passion.) The following winter I learned from a neighbor who was a state trooper to put 4 studded tires on a rear wheel drive vehicle and that provided more traction. If you had front wheel drive back then, then you only had to put them on the front.

11-17-2008, 08:22 PM

Slow down. Tons of room between you and the guy ahead of you. When you break "tap" them don't "ride" them. Did I say slow down?

Be safe.

Mark C · 11-18-2008, 05:48 AM

I'll jump on the tire band wagon. You need more than just good tread, you need all season tires. My car has high performance summer tires that don't do well when the temp drops below ~40 degrees, even on dry roads, let alone snow. When it's snowing, I take the wife's car.

I'm not sure about legality of studs or chains, but I know a few people who swear by winter tires. One guy says his Blizzaks work nearly as well on snow as his Potenzas do in the summer. Granted he's still driving more cautiously in the snow, but it's still a significant difference.

11-17-2008, 07:02 PM	#1
SteveA Adjusting to the Life Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Steve Location: MT Posts: 265 Trading: (3)	Re: Driving in Snow??? Along the lines of "Anticipate". Before you enter a turn slow to the speed you need to be going in the turn. If you are going too fast and brake in the turn you will lose traction. Don't get all paranoid from these responses. Keep your speed down, anticipate and pay attention and you'll be fine. I find driving in snow kind of fun sometimes. I don't get to do it much anymore though.

11-17-2008, 08:17 PM	#3
gettysburgfreak Patriot Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: The Mitten Posts: 1,442 Trading: (2)	Re: Driving in Snow??? Drive slow, hands at 10 and 2, if you see snow drifts across the road get your foot off the pedal and DONT BRAKE. NY winters sucks by the way. I once had to stick my head out the window just to make my way back to campus and it was a half a mile drive. __________________ Author ofeath, Disease, and Life at War: The Civil War Letters of Surgeon James D. Benton, 111th and 98th New York Infantry Regiments, 1862-1865.

11-17-2008, 10:24 PM	#4
Opusfxd Adjusting to the Life Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Up against Denver's mountains Posts: 270 Trading: (5)	Re: Driving in Snow??? From my memory: Crack a window, snow sounds crunchy when driving on it - ice is silent. When sliding, look where you want to go, steer in that direction, no brakes, no gas. 4WD slide just as good as 2 WD Pumping the brakes aren't anywhere near as good as putting them at maximum threshold braking (need to try this one for best effectiveness) And most importantly, clean your entire windshield!

11-18-2008, 05:31 AM	#5
macpappy Rider on the storm. Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Slidell, LA Posts: 851 Trading: (0)	Re: Driving in Snow??? Just a curious question for all you northerners since its been a while since I lived anywhere that actually had snow. Are studded snow tires still legal? Do the still sell snow chains? This isn't a solution or an option for a tourist but I lived in Washington state for six years back in the dark days of the 1970s and learned to hate snow chains (or those plastic and nylon strap things with a passion.) The following winter I learned from a neighbor who was a state trooper to put 4 studded tires on a rear wheel drive vehicle and that provided more traction. If you had front wheel drive back then, then you only had to put them on the front. __________________ WARNING: I am a Southern White Male. I have a brain and I know how to use it.

11-17-2008, 08:22 PM	#6
ahc4353 Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Driving in Snow??? Slow down. Tons of room between you and the guy ahead of you. When you break "tap" them don't "ride" them. Did I say slow down? Be safe.

11-18-2008, 05:48 AM	#7
Mark C Feeling at Home Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: SE PA Posts: 674 Trading: (4)	Re: Driving in Snow??? I'll jump on the tire band wagon. You need more than just good tread, you need all season tires. My car has high performance summer tires that don't do well when the temp drops below ~40 degrees, even on dry roads, let alone snow. When it's snowing, I take the wife's car. I'm not sure about legality of studs or chains, but I know a few people who swear by winter tires. One guy says his Blizzaks work nearly as well on snow as his Potenzas do in the summer. Granted he's still driving more cautiously in the snow, but it's still a significant difference.