Driving in Snow / Ice

Orion21

Orion21

Orion21

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With the icy mornings coming back and possibly snow soon I was wondering about a few things in relation to this.

1/ Do traction control systems on the car mean you do not have to be gentle with the throttle (particularly when moving off from a stop in snow / ice) as the system should correct the over application of the throttle?

2/ If a car has ABS, like most cars nowadays. Is it ok to slam on the brakes to do an emergency stop in snow or ice? Or should you still break progressively or cadence braking like in cars that do not have ABS?

3/ Regarding tyres, obviously tyres which are newer have better grip on snow and water due to displacement. But does a deeper tread on a newer tyre help in ice? I can't see how it would as there is nothing to grip or displace through the treads?

4/ Again with tyres would a worn but legal tyre that has worn down it's tread depth have better grip on dry road conditions than a newer tyre with more tread? I thinking of this along the lines of racing slicks etc as they have more contact with the road and no or less tread depth.
 
1) Just be sensible, putting your foot down obviously isn't going to go well.
2) If you have time to ease it on, do so if not hope to high hell you don't go flying!
3) Nothing will beat proper snow/winter tyres
4) As above, slicks is the worst. Snow tyres are developed to keep snow in the tread as this then sticks to the other snow on the road.
 
I'm sure I read that thinner wheels (width) are better in the snow?

Rear wheel drive I think you are supposed to turn the traction control off completely. Not really had to drive in bad weather in the 4 years I've had RWD cars though.

I had winter tyres in my Evo X and that worked brilliantly in heavy snow though
 
1. Don't drive on snow/ice unless there is no alternative or it is an emergency
2. If there is no alternative, buy some snow tyres
3. If it is an emergency, display your insurance details in massive writing in the rear window so you don't have to stop each time you crash.
 
Acme said:
If it is an emergency, display your insurance details in massive writing in the rear window so you don't have to stop each time you crash.
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Exactly this...difficult to decide if the OP is actually serious about these questions!
 
My 4x4 goes well through the snow. Has LOW and HIGH ratio so even going down a steep hill in snow is OK..

Hit a patch of ice in the road once, spun 360 degrees and carried on going..
I nearly filled my pants, thank the Lord nowt was coming up or down..

Drive steadily in a low gear, don't rev hard and if you start to slide out of control just shut your eyes and hold on tight.

Used to drive an Omega 3L, rear wheel drive. If it smelt of snow I would walk.
 
I've never found any benefit in turning traction control off regardless of drivetrain layout - once grip is gone it's fine, I've always made much better progress by being as gentle as possible.

Then again I've seen people keep the power on (not flooring it) and it can eventually work.

R.e braking...don't

R.e tyres, one there is compact and icy snow underneath the fresh stuff good luck making anything other than snails pace progress without winter tyres, think the last time I actually had to drive in that was 2010 though

Unlike many people it doesn't bother me driving (a manual) rwd in heavy snow, just be sensible, take a shovel and dig out in front of the rear wheels for a little bit of move off traction if you really get stuck, no big deal.

Oh and some peoples idea of snow is quite laughable, typically the further south you go :p
 
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Well we had a few inches here today. Made it just fine in a BMW. Other people managed to drive like tools and crash however. Guess that says something about them...
 
Driving in the snow is easy, I don't know why everyone gets in such a kerfuffle over it.

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(Whoops)
 
Orion21 said:
With the icy mornings coming back and possibly snow soon I was wondering about a few things in relation to this.

1/ Do traction control systems on the car mean you do not have to be gentle with the throttle (particularly when moving off from a stop in snow / ice) as the system should correct the over application of the throttle?

2/ If a car has ABS, like most cars nowadays. Is it ok to slam on the brakes to do an emergency stop in snow or ice? Or should you still break progressively or cadence braking like in cars that do not have ABS?

3/ Regarding tyres, obviously tyres which are newer have better grip on snow and water due to displacement. But does a deeper tread on a newer tyre help in ice? I can't see how it would as there is nothing to grip or displace through the treads?

4/ Again with tyres would a worn but legal tyre that has worn down it's tread depth have better grip on dry road conditions than a newer tyre with more tread? I thinking of this along the lines of racing slicks etc as they have more contact with the road and no or less tread depth.
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I find it hard to believe you actually have a license if I have to ask those questions (especially question 2) if you are serious I suggest you book yourself onto an advanced driving course and learn how to drive properly in those situations!
 
I read some where when it starts snow it is advised to carry a few extra items.

Shovel
Blanket
Flask with a hot drink
Suitable footwear
Warning triangle
Flares
Wind Up radio
First Aid Kit
Extra Clothing
Torch
Food

Should have seen the bus drivers face when I was getting on.
 
woppy101 said:
I find it hard to believe you actually have a license if I have to ask those questions (especially question 2) if you are serious I suggest you book yourself onto an advanced driving course and learn how to drive properly in those situations!
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To be honest, driving or learning about driving on snow isn't part of a driving test, so isn't surprising that some people may not be the expert that you are.
 
Voxination said:
Hard bush, car was slightly dented, took 6 hours and my dad calling me a **** many times to get out.
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When I stuffed my first car (loose gravel + stupidity, not snow) I was called a **** more than a few times, but it only took a couple of hours to get the car home, and it was impaled on a tree and written off! :p
 
Just to clarify I know that snow / icy driving is all about being gentle and keeping a lower speed, high gears etc.

Like another poster says none of this is actually tested (or taught).

It's not really realistic to just say do not drive in snow or ice... maybe in an ideal world, but realistically drive slower and more gently. Hence I was wondering about my first 3 questions from a theoretical and understanding how it works viewpoint.
 
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