how to avoid getting stuck in snow?

GeX · 20 Dec 2009 at 19:46

Howdy

Heading up to my mums for christmas, she lives in the north east of the lake district. covered in snow, and rather hilly. It's very remote, and the roads don't tend to get treated (they leave a big pile of grit every X metres during the winter for people to spread if they want).

My car is a little fiat cinquecento, so only fwd, i'm not really wanting to get stuck on any snow / ice covered hills. What should i take with me (asside from a shovel) to avoid getting stuck. Sand, salt? Anything?

The Edge · 20 Dec 2009 at 19:51

First trick is to not go. Seriously.

engine braking is good.

Pull away in second.

Muncher · 20 Dec 2009 at 19:51

A FWD with skinny tyres is probably the best thing to be driving other than a 4x4.

I'd perhaps take a shovel, some spare car mats, a torch and a tinfoil blanket and warm clothes in case you get stuck.

crazyDAJT · 20 Dec 2009 at 19:54

take it slow and don't rush.

momentum is useful going up hill but don't over cook it as you will have no control.

GeX · 20 Dec 2009 at 19:54

The Edge said:
First trick is to not go. Seriously.

engine braking is good.

Pull away in second.

can't not go, it's only the last 10miles that are going to be 'bad'.

Its more getting up hills am worried about, but will be pulling away in 2nd/3rd (car is fitted with an engine twice as powerful as stock, so often use 2nd anyway).

Muncher said:
A FWD with skinny tyres is probably the best thing to be driving other than a 4x4.

I'd perhaps take a shovel, some spare car mats, a torch and a tinfoil blanket and warm clothes in case you get stuck.

shame it's got wider tyres than stock on it

(damn bigger brakes meaning i needed bigger wheels!)

Got a torch and warm clothes, will take some mats too, ta.

Clarkey · 20 Dec 2009 at 19:57

Get some chains if you are that worried tbh.

Edinho · 20 Dec 2009 at 19:57

GeX said:
My car is a little fiat cinquecento, ?

tbh your ****ed

snow tyres and snow chains would help and if I lived in the lakes i would own a pair. I wouldn't go anywhere near it unless I had a proper 4x4.

Sticking to main trunk roads you'll be ok but anything like Honister, Kirkstone and God forbid Hardknott then you'll need a skidoo not a car.

mikeh501 · 20 Dec 2009 at 19:59

used to live up a bank and had to get home in the winter..... anyhow... plenty of momemtun but not too much that you cant steer/stop if somethign comes other way. In a FWD car, once it starts to slip and slide going up, get your wheels into the verges of the road to find extra grip; changing direction L-R-L-R-L-R etc when your scrabbling up seems to work too.

Worst thing is coming down! or losing momemtun halfway and the car stops and slides backwards lol; especially if the cars goes sideways and lodges sideways..... Yes, i've had all the above lol.

Biohazard · 20 Dec 2009 at 20:06

The Edge said:
First trick is to not go. Seriously.

engine braking is good.

Pull away in second.

i was wheel spinning in fifth earlier!

bouncing up and down inside

TheCrow · 20 Dec 2009 at 20:31

handbreak helps you get round that corner if your fronts are refusing to do there job.

Ricochet J · 20 Dec 2009 at 20:34

Keep two spare carpets in the boot. If you get stuck, wedge these under the wheels and you'll be on your way

thepeteh · 20 Dec 2009 at 20:47

Clarkey said:
Get some chains if you are that worried tbh.

was going to suggest snow chains also, put them on and you can go wherever you like, just make sure you only use them in the snow

JRS · 20 Dec 2009 at 21:24

Edinho said:
tbh your ****ed

Why is he? Narrow pizza-cutter tyres (provided he's on standard wheels of course), approximately zero horsepower (I love my 'cento to bits, but engine power isn't one of its strengths), front wheel drive, no electronic traction controlling devices to complicate matters....I can think of plenty worse cars to be making that journey in.

Duke · 20 Dec 2009 at 21:27

Make sure you take food, water and blankets too.

Magic_x_uk · 20 Dec 2009 at 21:30

Just be carefull. I saw many crashes today and even when I was driving in the snow home from work down a quite steep hill. I was going slow down a hill and someone came shooting up behind me in a Volvo 4x4, he swerved and shot across road next to me up a verge and onto 2 wheels, he nearly went over. never seen anything like it in my life so close and up front.

Lot of people dont know how to drive in this weather. Just take it easy.

I locked up going really slow down a hill. Nothing I could do. Steering or brakes did nothing.

Always fun in the snow

GeX · 20 Dec 2009 at 21:31

JRS said:
Why is he? Narrow pizza-cutter tyres (provided he's on standard wheels of course), approximately zero horsepower (I love my 'cento to bits, but engine power isn't one of its strengths), front wheel drive, no electronic traction controlling devices to complicate matters....I can think of plenty worse cars to be making that journey in.

i'm not, its got punto gt brakes so 6j 14" wheels and matching tyres and a 1.4 16v engine from a stilo in it!

From this thread, i am taking away; carpet / mats. cheers.

If there car gets stuck, i can leave it and get rescued by tractor within an hour - so am not *too* fussed about taking food etc !

JRS · 20 Dec 2009 at 21:32

GeX said:
i'm not, its got punto gt brakes so 6j 14" wheels and matching tyres and a 1.4 16v engine from a stilo in it!

Meh, you still shouldn't have any problems unless you drive like a complete idiot.

Ricochet J · 20 Dec 2009 at 21:32

Magic_x_uk said:
Lot of people dont know how to drive in this weather. Just take it easy.

I locked up going really slow down a hill. Nothing I could do. Steering or brakes did nothing.

In the future put it in 1st gear and dab the brakes on and off

mjt · 20 Dec 2009 at 21:35

keep the momentum going uphill. once you've stopped on a hill you've pretty much had it

use the gears as much as possible, as little throttle and brakes as you can.
seeing as you have a tiny light car you should be all right really

Nazbit · 20 Dec 2009 at 21:45

mjt said:
keep the momentum going uphill. once you've stopped on a hill you've pretty much had it

This happened to me tonight in wales. Once I stopped I just slid backwards, the hand brake did nothing.

I let it roll back very very slowly and tried to steer towards the verge, then I tried again with one wheel in all kinds of grass and bushes and crap, that gave me enough grip to get up the hill.