Share your snow driving tips
02 February 2009, 07:42 AM
#1
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Share your snow driving tips
As it seems most of the people in this country have no idea what this white stuff falling from the sky is, nor how to cope with it on their daily commute, why don't the educated and worthy people of Scoobynet share their knowledge on how best to survive this treacherous climate event....
1. Reduce speed, stay in a higher gear than normal and leave a larger distance to the car in front. This will allow you longer to anticipate the traffic ahead reducing your chance of having an accident. Braking distances can be up to 10x those of dry weather.
2. Where possible, try to move slightly off line to widen the amount of road surface cleared of snow.
3. If your car is struggling for grip, and especially if you cannot get up hills, reduce your tire pressures*. This will increase the tires contact patch with the road surface, and also allow the tire to flex which breaks the snow out of the tread pattern allowing more traction.
* REMEMBER - you will need to reset them to the correct pressure afterwards !
4. Make all control inputs (accelerate, brake, steer) smooth and progressive so as not to upset the balance of the car.
5. Clear all windows fully before setting of, and if necessary stop in a safe place to clear them again.
6. Allow more time to complete your journey, even if that means getting up earlier.
7. Feel smug about the fact that for once you don't look a total pillock for having your foglights on.
Any more ???
1. Reduce speed, stay in a higher gear than normal and leave a larger distance to the car in front. This will allow you longer to anticipate the traffic ahead reducing your chance of having an accident. Braking distances can be up to 10x those of dry weather.
2. Where possible, try to move slightly off line to widen the amount of road surface cleared of snow.
3. If your car is struggling for grip, and especially if you cannot get up hills, reduce your tire pressures*. This will increase the tires contact patch with the road surface, and also allow the tire to flex which breaks the snow out of the tread pattern allowing more traction.
* REMEMBER - you will need to reset them to the correct pressure afterwards !
4. Make all control inputs (accelerate, brake, steer) smooth and progressive so as not to upset the balance of the car.
5. Clear all windows fully before setting of, and if necessary stop in a safe place to clear them again.
6. Allow more time to complete your journey, even if that means getting up earlier.
7. Feel smug about the fact that for once you don't look a total pillock for having your foglights on.
Any more ???
02 February 2009, 07:48 AM
#3
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If you trip is less than 4 miles - WALK !
It will almost certainly be quicker than trying to drive it.
Oh - and clear the snow off your bonnet / lights too (Assuming you can't clear your whole car).
It will almost certainly be quicker than trying to drive it.
Oh - and clear the snow off your bonnet / lights too (Assuming you can't clear your whole car).
02 February 2009, 07:53 AM
#4
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I just drove 15 miles, turned around and came home again.
Going up hill and having problems with grip definitely beats going down the other side struggling to keep your car under control, sliding sideways and doing an emergency curb, twist and then gear rev to stop hitting cars coming the other way ...
Steve
Going up hill and having problems with grip definitely beats going down the other side struggling to keep your car under control, sliding sideways and doing an emergency curb, twist and then gear rev to stop hitting cars coming the other way ...
Steve
02 February 2009, 08:01 AM
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Also I think the number one rule for these kind of weather conditions is that if you are incapable of driving in anything but the sunniest and brightest conditions, stay at home so I can still get to work in the same time 
02 February 2009, 08:04 AM
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My general rule of driving is heightened when the snow is coming down.
Jasey's General Driving Rule : Assume every other ****** on the road is trying to kill you !
Jasey's General Driving Rule : Assume every other ****** on the road is trying to kill you !
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02 February 2009, 08:29 AM
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02 February 2009, 08:34 AM
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My no. 1 rule for days like today is, "don't".
Fortunately I've just spoken to our company boss, who said there's 10 inches of snow at the office and he struggled in his Touareg.
Suffice to say Mrs C and I just spent the last 10 minutes trying to get my BMW back on to the drive after she had to turn around and give up on getting to work too...
Fortunately I've just spoken to our company boss, who said there's 10 inches of snow at the office and he struggled in his Touareg.
Suffice to say Mrs C and I just spent the last 10 minutes trying to get my BMW back on to the drive after she had to turn around and give up on getting to work too...
02 February 2009, 08:36 AM
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(As Micky says) In Subarus watch out for the ABS - the brakes stop working!! 
This caught me out badly once! You have been warned!!
Apparently according to the wise on here you can remove a fuse to cancel the ABS - I've never tried it though.
This caught me out badly once! You have been warned!!
Apparently according to the wise on here you can remove a fuse to cancel the ABS - I've never tried it though.
Last edited by unclebuck; 02 February 2009 at 08:37 AM.
02 February 2009, 08:37 AM
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Beemers, nice cars, but are not even half a bag of ****e in the snow, last time it was heavy up this way i had to jump out and give the bloke next door a push as he could not get out the car park pmsl
02 February 2009, 08:42 AM
#15
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When I had a Sierra back in the early 90's all my shift mates laughed and said I'd never get up the hill outside w*rk one particularly snowy day. 2x 25l barrels of plate developer in the boot and tires dropped to about 8psi and I sailed up whilst they all sat by their FWD Astra's & Escorts etc stranded 
I used to love RWD in those days My brother used to come out in his Granada and we'd drift for hours. A copper once pulled out to catch us but when I looked in the mirror to see where his Astra was after sliding through the next corner I saw him ploughing into a wall 
I used to love RWD in those days My brother used to come out in his Granada and we'd drift for hours. A copper once pulled out to catch us but when I looked in the mirror to see where his Astra was after sliding through the next corner I saw him ploughing into a wall
02 February 2009, 08:46 AM
#16
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I had no problem this morning on the M62 from huddersfield, i was clearing a path in the fast lane, albeit the overspeed light in 4 low was flashing
The Ranger wildtrack has come in useful once this year
Oh and good morning CB, will answer your pm today mate
The Ranger wildtrack has come in useful once this year
Oh and good morning CB, will answer your pm today mate
02 February 2009, 08:49 AM
#19
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When I had a Sierra back in the early 90's all my shift mates laughed and said I'd never get up the hill outside w*rk one particularly snowy day. 2x 25l barrels of plate developer in the boot and tires dropped to about 8psi and I sailed up whilst they all sat by their FWD Astra's & Escorts etc stranded I used to love RWD in those days My brother used to come out in his Granada and we'd drift for hours. A copper once pulled out to catch us but when I looked in the mirror to see where his Astra was after sliding through the next corner I saw him ploughing into a wall
I used to love RWD in those days My brother used to come out in his Granada and we'd drift for hours. A copper once pulled out to catch us but when I looked in the mirror to see where his Astra was after sliding through the next corner I saw him ploughing into a wall A few years ago I was staying up in Perth while I was at college there. It snowed heavily one night, so me and my best mate both took our first cars out(1.2 bangers) to drift on a deserted single track road. He wasn't a confident driver so he followed me...Coming up to a tight left hander, I realised I was going a bit quick, and at the last minute had to do everything I could to keep it from pushing on - just trying to resist jumping on the brakes. After I got round it I just knew he had no chance, and I saw him plough straight on into the fence. I had to stop and p*ss myself laughing for a minute in the car before I could get out and face him.
02 February 2009, 09:00 AM
#21
Just driven into London from Suffolk - 70 miles and it took the same time as it would on a dry monday morning!
Volvo XC has reasonable tyres on it but I reckon another hour and no-one would have got out of our road LOL but I am leaving early as heavy snow/blizzards forcast for this evening's rush hour.
None of our bikers are out on their bikes but one of the Controllers made it on his - respect!
Volvo XC has reasonable tyres on it but I reckon another hour and no-one would have got out of our road LOL but I am leaving early as heavy snow/blizzards forcast for this evening's rush hour.
None of our bikers are out on their bikes but one of the Controllers made it on his - respect!
02 February 2009, 09:58 AM
#25
Just driven from West of Reading to Woking to be told to go home again.
Best bit was replying to those who've e-mailed in to say it's too bad to drive in: "yes, it looked a bit iffy when I drove past your house earlier!"
Best bit was replying to those who've e-mailed in to say it's too bad to drive in: "yes, it looked a bit iffy when I drove past your house earlier!"
02 February 2009, 10:01 AM
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In a front wheel drive car, where youre struggling for traction uphill, turn from (full) lock to lock and select a higher gear (probably two) than your road speed would otherwise dictate. If this wont get/keep you moving then youre going to have to get out and dig: you do have a shovel, dont you?
02 February 2009, 10:07 AM
#27
My main tip is to keep your side windows clear so you can pi55 yourself laughing at all the beemers and mercs stuck in the scenery, and totally agree with lift off, and then power round 
. Had a round of applause from a bus stop full of hopeful commuters ( no buses running in London) earlier as I came around a roundabout and exited on a fair bit of op lock
Great fun driving into central london today, especially the drag race with the chap in white Lambo up holborn from the farringdon flyover roundabout to the Grays inn road turning in about 4 inches of snow ... Needless to say the p1 showed him the way home but only just. Much respect for him being as much of a loon in his car. We (the Lambo driver and me) were both pissing ourselves laughing at the next lights where he turned off, while my other half just had her eyes covered.
. Had a round of applause from a bus stop full of hopeful commuters ( no buses running in London) earlier as I came around a roundabout and exited on a fair bit of op lock Great fun driving into central london today, especially the drag race with the chap in white Lambo
up holborn from the farringdon flyover roundabout to the Grays inn road turning in about 4 inches of snow ... Needless to say the p1 showed him the way home but only just. Much respect for him being as much of a loon in his car. We (the Lambo driver and me) were both pissing ourselves laughing at the next lights where he turned off, while my other half just had her eyes covered.
02 February 2009, 10:13 AM
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As it seems most of the people in this country have no idea what this white stuff falling from the sky is, nor how to cope with it on their daily commute, why don't the educated and worthy people of Scoobynet share their knowledge on how best to survive this treacherous climate event....
1. Reduce speed, stay in a higher gear than normal and leave a larger distance to the car in front. This will allow you longer to anticipate the traffic ahead reducing your chance of having an accident. Braking distances can be up to 10x those of dry weather.
2. Where possible, try to move slightly off line to widen the amount of road surface cleared of snow.
3. If your car is struggling for grip, and especially if you cannot get up hills, reduce your tire pressures*. This will increase the tires contact patch with the road surface, and also allow the tire to flex which breaks the snow out of the tread pattern allowing more traction.
* REMEMBER - you will need to reset them to the correct pressure afterwards !
4. Make all control inputs (accelerate, brake, steer) smooth and progressive so as not to upset the balance of the car.
5. Clear all windows fully before setting of, and if necessary stop in a safe place to clear them again.
6. Allow more time to complete your journey, even if that means getting up earlier.
7. Feel smug about the fact that for once you don't look a total pillock for having your foglights on.
8. Clear snow from all your lights. A snow covered indicator isn't indicating to anyone!
Any more ???
1. Reduce speed, stay in a higher gear than normal and leave a larger distance to the car in front. This will allow you longer to anticipate the traffic ahead reducing your chance of having an accident. Braking distances can be up to 10x those of dry weather.
2. Where possible, try to move slightly off line to widen the amount of road surface cleared of snow.
3. If your car is struggling for grip, and especially if you cannot get up hills, reduce your tire pressures*. This will increase the tires contact patch with the road surface, and also allow the tire to flex which breaks the snow out of the tread pattern allowing more traction.
* REMEMBER - you will need to reset them to the correct pressure afterwards !
4. Make all control inputs (accelerate, brake, steer) smooth and progressive so as not to upset the balance of the car.
5. Clear all windows fully before setting of, and if necessary stop in a safe place to clear them again.
6. Allow more time to complete your journey, even if that means getting up earlier.
7. Feel smug about the fact that for once you don't look a total pillock for having your foglights on.
8. Clear snow from all your lights. A snow covered indicator isn't indicating to anyone!
Any more ???
02 February 2009, 10:16 AM
#29
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When I had a Sierra back in the early 90's all my shift mates laughed and said I'd never get up the hill outside w*rk one particularly snowy day. 2x 25l barrels of plate developer in the boot and tires dropped to about 8psi and I sailed up whilst they all sat by their FWD Astra's & Escorts etc stranded I used to love RWD in those days My brother used to come out in his Granada and we'd drift for hours. A copper once pulled out to catch us but when I looked in the mirror to see where his Astra was after sliding through the next corner I saw him ploughing into a wall
I used to love RWD in those days My brother used to come out in his Granada and we'd drift for hours. A copper once pulled out to catch us but when I looked in the mirror to see where his Astra was after sliding through the next corner I saw him ploughing into a wall While most other parents were inching their car about, my old man was power oversteering all over the place. Where space allowed, doing 360's in the middle of the road.
Less traffic about back then.Always made getting to school in the snow brilliant fun.
