Driving in inclement weather

[Lonyo]

Originally posted by: Squisher
I drive the worst vehicle you can have in the snow, a RWD pickup ('91 Dakota) and it's all about practice.

Learn what your vehicle can and can't do. Especially on the day of the snow. Try your brakes before you get in traffic. Try to feather your gas before you get in traffic. If you don't know what the limits are before hand then you're just flying blind.


Also, sometimes the best traction can be found outside of the tracks formed by the other traffic if what is being exposed is ice.

If you melt the top layer of snow, and then it re-freezes, than you can make ice too.
If you drive over the fresh snow, you can have no ice

 

[lobadobadingdong]

Originally posted by: mobobuff

Originally posted by: jadinolf
Question: I am from California. What is inclement weather?

Weather that just isn't very nice.

Look out for falling rocks, lava, and sudden appearances of fault lines.

you forgot mud slides

 

[Injury]

Originally posted by: lobadobadingdong

Originally posted by: mobobuff

Originally posted by: jadinolf
Question: I am from California. What is inclement weather?

Weather that just isn't very nice.

Look out for falling rocks, lava, and sudden appearances of fault lines.

you forgot mud slides

Might as well throw street gangs in. They're as commong as sunny days. jk

 

[RiDE]

I love the internet. So many experts.

 

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: Squisher
I drive the worst vehicle you can have in the snow, a RWD pickup ('91 Dakota) and it's all about practice.

Learn what your vehicle can and can't do. Especially on the day of the snow. Try your brakes before you get in traffic. Try to feather your gas before you get in traffic. If you don't know what the limits are before hand then you're just flying blind.


Also, sometimes the best traction can be found outside of the tracks formed by the other traffic if what is being exposed is ice.

my man!

yep.

yet another tip offered by squisher - the best traction can be found outside of frozen tracks left by others.

 

[DrPizza]

Personally, I prefer RWD in inclement weather for city driving... It makes turning sooo much nicer - with a bit of practice in parking lots, you can learn to slide into an intersection already pointing in the direction you want to go. Much easier to do doughnuts in the parking lots, etc. Learn to control the spin and you're set. Western NY here - south of Buffalo PLENTY of snow to play in, never had an accident in the winter.

Also, bad weather does NOT cause accidents. Slippery roads does NOT cause accidents. ALL accidents are caused by either driver error or faulty maintenance - bad tires, bad brakes, breaking parts, etc. If you slide off the road into the ditch, it's because you were travelling too fast for road conditions. NYS troopers will ticket you accordingly. Slow the fvck down and drive safely and you won't cause an accident.

 

[MercenaryForHire]

"When in doubt, follow a Canadian."

- M4H

 

[TheLonelyPhoenix]

Originally posted by: RiDE
I love the internet. So many experts.

:beer: :thumbsup:

 

[duragezic]

It's been snowing for the past week but appearantly that is normal up here. It is also a very hilly town. Often I need to drive out of my way because my destination is up some hill that I could never make unless I find a less steep way. Even the smallest of hills have my tires spinning! I have a FWD car with new tires on the front and semi-new on the back (but not snow tires). On most hills, it's like I barely touch the gas and not got anywhere and spin a little, or I do it a little more and start spinning but barely move, or maybe really step on it and still make it up, plus it's so hard to get a fast moving start on most of the hills. What a place to live! (Houghton, MI)

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Originally posted by: duragezic
It's been snowing for the past week but appearantly that is normal up here. It is also a very hilly town. Often I need to drive out of my way because my destination is up some hill that I could never make unless I find a less steep way. Even the smallest of hills have my tires spinning! I have a FWD car with new tires on the front and semi-new on the back (but not snow tires). On most hills, it's like I barely touch the gas and not got anywhere and spin a little, or I do it a little more and start spinning but barely move, or maybe really step on it and still make it up, plus it's so hard to get a fast moving start on most of the hills. What a place to live! (Houghton, MI)

Four snows. Now.

- M4H

 

[TuxDave]

Here's some better tips.

1) Drive slower
2) Accelerate lighter
3) Brake lighter
4) Keep a larger safety margin around you

 

[Colt45]

AWD + snows + avoiding retards = win

 

[TheLonelyPhoenix]

Originally posted by: TuxDave
Here's some better tips.

1) Drive slower
2) Accelerate lighter
3) Brake lighter
4) Keep a larger safety margin around you

^ has now taken the crown for best advice thus far.

 

[Antisocial Virge]

while somewhat true, spinning the tires in a FWD vehicle can have more traction than not accelerating.

Hun? Spinning a FWD also lowers your ability to steer.

 

[EULA]

I think they should purposely hold Driver education courses in the winter, just so students can take the car in a parking lot and practice turning out of skids. It makes you a lot more prepared when you've got a good idea what's going to happen...

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Originally posted by: EULA
I think they should purposely hold Driver education courses in the winter, just so students can take the car in a parking lot and practice turning out of skids. It makes you a lot more prepared when you've got a good idea what's going to happen...

Skid School / Winter Driving Skills Course / Etc. All available. Take 'em if you can.

- M4H

 

[Squisher]

Originally posted by: duragezic
It's been snowing for the past week but appearantly that is normal up here. It is also a very hilly town. Often I need to drive out of my way because my destination is up some hill that I could never make unless I find a less steep way. Even the smallest of hills have my tires spinning! I have a FWD car with new tires on the front and semi-new on the back (but not snow tires). On most hills, it's like I barely touch the gas and not got anywhere and spin a little, or I do it a little more and start spinning but barely move, or maybe really step on it and still make it up, plus it's so hard to get a fast moving start on most of the hills. What a place to live! (Houghton, MI)

What kinda car, you might be better off with some aftermarket snow tires up front. Houghton is hard core.

Take your time, be gentile.

Edit: BTW-which Houghton? (MI has more than one, we seem to love that name)

 

[jadinolf]

Originally posted by: RiDE
I love the internet. So many experts.

Yep. Ain't it great?

 

[Toastedlightly]

Originally posted by: EULA
I think they should purposely hold Driver education courses in the winter, just so students can take the car in a parking lot and practice turning out of skids. It makes you a lot more prepared when you've got a good idea what's going to happen...

I got my learner's permit in October (Minnesota). I learned to drive in the white stuff, and then in the spring. Got my licence ~6 months ago. I laugh at others who can't drive in bad weather..

 

[Freejack2]

I've heard that snow tires are very soft and don't last too long treadlifewise. How long do they usually last? If it's only like 12,000 miles then I'd be going through 2 sets every winter.

 

[Rhin0]

I love my Jeep in the snow. 4WD high, 33" BFG MT KM's, dual Detroit tru-tracs, vlink chains on all 4 tires=unstoppable.

Snow tires are amazing though, if they made a nice snow tire that came in a 33 and looked decent that would be killer.

 

[Toastedlightly]

Snow tires don't last long enough. I use regular compound tires that are thin for winter. Works well

 

[Evadman]

Here's a tip. Get the hell outa my way.

2 weeks ago, I was on my way home from work when it was snowing here, with about 4" on the roads. I was doin about 40 in a 40 with my zuk in 4 wheel. Some fvcktard decides he wants to turn left, so he goes into the turn lane at like 10 mph, hits the brakes, and starts to slide.

Well, thats all fine and dandy, but he decided to turn out of the turn lane into the 2 lanes of traffic, one of which I was in. Of course, I had about 80' till he would become a nice hood ornament. no way in hell I was stopping in 80' in 4" of snow. Great choice turning back into my lane, when there IS NO FRICKING TRAFFIC IN ONCOMING LANES!

So, instead of hitting his dumb ass in the passenger door and being late for dinner (no one makes me late when food is involved) I turned into the left turn lane at about 35 or so, and passed him there. Then, in the middle of the intersection, I turned back into my lanes so I wouldn't run head on into the guy waiting to turn left across my lanes (his eyes were like dinner plates as I was flying at him lol), but I nicked the center median curb (about 4" tall or so) with my drivers side rear while cutting across the intersection, which pushed me a little sideways, but there was no traffic on my side, so I just let the ass end drift into the right lane a little, pulled it back in, and called it done.

My boss saw the whole thing, because my boss was behind me in an Exploder, but not going 40, and was able to stop. the next day, we talked about how people around here can't fricking drive, and how good New York drivers are. I didn't believe that last comment, but I let it slide anyway. How do you argue with your boss?

 

[Injury]

Originally posted by: Evadman
Here's a tip. Get the hell outa my way.

2 weeks ago, I was on my way home from work when it was snowing here, with about 4" on the roads. I was doin about 40 in a 40 with my zuk in 4 wheel. Some fvcktard decides he wants to turn left, so he goes into the turn lane at like 10 mph, hits the brakes, and starts to slide.

Well, thats all fine and dandy, but he decided to turn out of the turn lane into the 2 lanes of traffic, one of which I was in. Of course, I had about 80' till he would become a nice hood ornament. no way in hell I was stopping in 80' in 4" of snow. Great choice turning back into my lane, when there IS NO FRICKING TRAFFIC IN ONCOMING LANES!

So, instead of hitting his dumb ass in the passenger door and being late for dinner (no one makes me late when food is involved) I turned into the left turn lane at about 35 or so, and passed him there. Then, in the middle of the intersection, I turned back into my lanes so I wouldn't run head on into the guy waiting to turn left across my lanes (his eyes were like dinner plates as I was flying at him lol), but I nicked the center median curb (about 4" tall or so) with my drivers side rear while cutting across the intersection, which pushed me a little sideways, but there was no traffic on my side, so I just let the ass end drift into the right lane a little, pulled it back in, and called it done.

My boss saw the whole thing, because my boss was behind me in an Exploder, but not going 40, and was able to stop. the next day, we talked about how people around here can't fricking drive, and how good New York drivers are. I didn't believe that last comment, but I let it slide anyway. How do you argue with your boss?

Proof of my (re-explained) advice.

 

[Calin]

Originally posted by: jagec

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
Coefficient of kinetic friction versus the coefficient of static friction. Static is always greater. If your tires are spinning, there is less traction. Period.

Now, I don't argue that this cannot be good, but saying that you get "more traction" is erroneous. What you get is more desireable handling from the vehicle, but you do _not_ get "more traction".

ZV

you're in the kinetic friction regime anyways, it's just your choice whether the tires slide forwards, or slide forwards while creating a sideways force that can eventually get them onto a higher-friction area.

There are cases when the tires can "dig" the superficial snow and reach to deeper substrates. And sometimes this is good (but many more times this is not).
I went once to my home village, and the road was just packed snow. Not sanded, not salted, no nothing. Just level, white, packed snow. And with half a meter snow walls on each side, left by the snow plow. It was great, pulling the parking brake and moving the driving wheel a bit was rotating the rear of the car .
Also, breaking on snow is bad as you loose any hope of steering. I almost had a crash (it would have been at 4 or so mph) with a truck (rear end of the truck). Only when I let off the brake the car started to steer, missing the bare metal bars of the truck by less then half a meter.

Calin

P.S. If I wouldn't have been thinking at driving on snow times and times again (I rarely have the opportunity to drive on snow), this would have been an accident