What's the most practical way of driving in the snow?

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
Phokus

Phokus

Lifer
Nov 20, 1999
22,994
779
126
I had to drive my wife to work during the storm yesterday and i got stuck a couple of times trying to go up... i was pretty damn lucky that i was able to maneuver out of those situations.

I'm thinking of buying some snow chains for such conditions, but i heard they can fail. I guess the other option is snow tires? But then it would be kind of a waste if it wasn't snowing, right? I currently have all weather tires which didn't hold up too well yesterday.
 
guyver01

guyver01

Lifer
Sep 25, 2000
22,135
5
61
If you have to ask... the answer is.. DONT.

please. do the rest of us a favor... if you dont know how to drive in snow... DONT.
 
BoomerD

BoomerD

No Lifer
Feb 26, 2006
65,986
14,384
146
guyver01 said:
If you have to ask... the answer is.. DONT.

please. do the rest of us a favor... if you dont know how to drive in snow... DONT.
Click to expand...

This.

Snow tires are only used seasonly...when there is snow on the ground.
Put them on in November, take them off in March.
(adjust to your area's normal snowfall periods)

IMO, all-season tires are good for light snowfalls, but not worth a shit in anything more than a couple of inches. Get dedicated snow tires (and steel wheels if you can afford them) and have a place (like a garage) to store them.
 
Theo Moreau

Theo Moreau

Member
Dec 27, 2010
41
0
61
www.guysarmor.com
guyver01 said:
If you have to ask... the answer is.. DONT.

please. do the rest of us a favor... if you dont know how to drive in snow... DONT.
Click to expand...

x2

We have idiots who go 2mph while theres a light dusting and then other idiots who go 70mph in a blizzard. Or people who are skidding and they just slam and hold the breaks for 100ft and they hit something.
 
Phokus

Phokus

Lifer
Nov 20, 1999
22,994
779
126
guyver01 said:
If you have to ask... the answer is.. DONT.

please. do the rest of us a favor... if you dont know how to drive in snow... DONT.
Click to expand...

I've never gotten in an accident during snow driving... i've gotten stuck at the bottom of inclines before, that's the only thing.
 
S

seepy83

Platinum Member
Nov 12, 2003
2,132
3
71
It really depends on where you're driving. I've always used All Season tires and never had any problems until I moved a couple of years ago, so I can't comment on snow tires or chains. There are some streets in my new neighborhood that the grade is just too steep and they don't get enough sand/salt, plowing, and traffic when we get snow or ice. I just use alternate routes when that happens.
 
O

OOBradm

Golden Member
May 21, 2001
1,730
1
76
Snow tires aren't worth the money to me, for the few times a year I would actually benefit greatly from them.
 
O

OCGuy

Lifer
Jul 12, 2000
27,224
37
91
guyver01 said:
i believe in California, they call it 'cocaine'
Click to expand...

Ohhhhh. I think I know what this thread is about now. Here is my take:


1. Don't drive on "snow", you will have a heart attack if pulled over.

2. If you are dumb enough to drive instead of just listening to Cream on your couch, dont drive a family member.
 
guyver01

guyver01

Lifer
Sep 25, 2000
22,135
5
61
Phokus said:
Yeah, come to think of it... maybe i should get chains instead.
Click to expand...

check with local law enforcement first.

in many areas chains might be illegal, because they tear up the road.

chains should not be used if there's light/little/no snow on the road.

its a driving hazzard.

Here in CO.. chain laws are ONLY for the parts of I-70 going thru the mountains.
 
mmntech

mmntech

Lifer
Sep 20, 2007
17,501
12
0
I probably do more driving than most here. Never used snow tires. Our vehicles at work don't have them. Ice is the bigger driving danger than snow. Black ice in particular. Snows help on ice but they're not fool proof. Problem is people seem to think they make them invincible, which is when they get into trouble.

There's only one rule to winter driving. Drive carefully!!!! I can't stress that enough. You have to correct for the conditions and leave plenty of space. Slow down! No your limits and don't go out if you can't handle it. No piece of technology will ever replace this advice.

If you absolutely do need to go out in bad weather, take public transit if possible. Let someone else do the driving.
 
WelshBloke

WelshBloke

Lifer
Jan 12, 2005
32,778
10,918
136
OCGuy said:
Ohhhhh. I think I know what this thread is about now. Here is my take:


1. Don't drive on "snow", you will have a heart attack if pulled over.

2. If you are dumb enough to drive instead of just listening to Cream on your couch, dont drive a family member.
Click to expand...

:awe:
 
F

Farang

Lifer
Jul 7, 2003
10,913
3
0
Chains are good for when the ground is completely snow/ice covered and you're staying off the highway. A lot of times highway and city road conditions are much different, so its impractical to put chains on to get through the city when you're going to have to do 70mph on the highway.

Understand you're basically steering a sled when you're rolling. When you brake and lock your wheels you become a hockey puck. Its hard to avoid obstacles if you're a hockey puck, so don't lock your wheels. Even if something big and scary is coming at you.
 
P

preCRT

Platinum Member
Apr 12, 2000
2,340
123
106
Chains & studded tires are illegal in many states.

4WD if you must commute through snow, but is useless on ice.

Most practical advice is give yourself plenty of time to commute during storms. Most of the hospital employees who had to be at work during that Sunday/Monday storm allowed 2 to 4 times their usual commute to get in. Took some 2 hours instead of their usual 30 minutes.
 
B

borisvodofsky

Diamond Member
Feb 12, 2010
3,606
0
0
Farang said:
Chains are good for when the ground is completely snow/ice covered and you're staying off the highway. A lot of times highway and city road conditions are much different, so its impractical to put chains on to get through the city when you're going to have to do 70mph on the highway.

Understand you're basically steering a sled when you're rolling. When you brake and lock your wheels you become a hockey puck. Its hard to avoid obstacles if you're a hockey puck, so don't lock your wheels. Even if something big and scary is coming at you.
Click to expand...

Disclaimer plz.. this does not apply to ALL conditions. For example, Ghosts:mad:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom