Winter driving: learn how to do it

[Raduque]

Yes, all cars are 4WB and most are 2WS, but I still enjoy pulling away from a stop light with gusto on my Falken Rocky Mountains and Jeep Grand Cherokee in PT 4WD. Hoping we get a decent winter when I get back as I recently acquired a FWD vehicle but held on to the Jeep for the possible winter weather.

My first snow I was rocking some Kumho road tires, and the switch to the Rocky Mountains were very noticeable in mud and snow, when I lived near Santa Fe at the time, and would get crazy in the BLM lands.

Tires are what I preach, and even though my NPG transfer case is a beast, it did not really show it's strengths until I put some proper rubber on my Jeep.

I've got a 2wd F150 with Rocky Mountains, and I love 'em. Drove home one night in freezing rain, about 28f with a couple inches of slushy mess on the ground and didn't have an issue except where I walked it sideways on purpose exiting the parking lot.

Edit: Limited-slip differential helps a lot to go straight though.

 

[DrPizza]

I disagree. I'd much prefer people drive at the limit of their ability in the snow. If that's 30mph, then so be it. Just do it in the left lane so people can pass you.

Your 55mph is not safe, even if you think it is. Your driving needs to account for poor little old grandma who may have been at bingo only to emerge to blizzard like conditions. You sound like the rest of the entitled jerks who think they're driving safely at 55 in slick conditions. You may be rocking 4wd but if someone spins out in front of you, you'll stop no better than a 2wd doing the same speed. Miraculous you haven't had an accident yet.

How long does it take to stop a car from 55mph in perfect conditions? Roughly 240 feet. You're driving on wet slushy pavement, add to that it is snowing and you won't see as far as you can normally see. Deer jumps out in front of you, car crash in front of you with cars stopped and no lights, good luck stopping in time. It always amazed me how these 20+ car pile ups happen. The answer seems apparent.

You apparently don't know jack shit about the area I live in. Again, stay off the INTERSTATE if you can't get above 30mph. On a normal day on the Interstate, I'd estimate there are half a dozen cars per mile of road. It's relatively straight, and with a 100 yard wide median, and plenty of space on the side of the road, it's pretty tough to miss seeing a deer if you're paying attention. It's not miraculous that I haven't had an accident - I know how to drive in the snow. And, I never outdrive how far I can see - hence above, I excluded things like whiteouts. Again, several decades of driving, driving a LOT of miles, no accidents except hitting a bambi after my wife screamed (*screamed*) "look out!" I hit the brakes out of reflex & hit a deer that never had time to get in front of me, had I not slowed down.

 

[JTsyo]

Slow down before you make the turn. You can't make turns as fast as you can in ideal conditions. Better safe than sorry. Last year I watched two guys make turns to fast and bump an unmarked police car.

 

[rudeguy]

You apparently don't know jack shit about the area I live in. Again, stay off the INTERSTATE if you can't get above 30mph. On a normal day on the Interstate, I'd estimate there are half a dozen cars per mile of road. It's relatively straight, and with a 100 yard wide median, and plenty of space on the side of the road, it's pretty tough to miss seeing a deer if you're paying attention. It's not miraculous that I haven't had an accident - I know how to drive in the snow. And, I never outdrive how far I can see - hence above, I excluded things like whiteouts. Again, several decades of driving, driving a LOT of miles, no accidents except hitting a bambi after my wife screamed (*screamed*) "look out!" I hit the brakes out of reflex & hit a deer that never had time to get in front of me, had I not slowed down.

Yea I think we are really seeing the difference between regions. I know when I lived in the country driving was a lot easier. You really only had to worry about yourself and sometimes a suicidal deer. Now that I'm in the city, my driving is the last thing I worry about. I have to constantly watch out for cell phone idiots and people playing speed racer.

Also each region has their own theory on snow removal. So some people are fine driving in snow since they drive in it every day. Others hardly ever have to deal with it, so they are not as comfortable.

I think we can all agree that leaving plenty of room for mistakes is the best answer to most situations.

 

[Crono]

You apparently don't know jack shit about the area I live in. Again, stay off the INTERSTATE if you can't get above 30mph. On a normal day on the Interstate, I'd estimate there are half a dozen cars per mile of road. It's relatively straight, and with a 100 yard wide median, and plenty of space on the side of the road, it's pretty tough to miss seeing a deer if you're paying attention. It's not miraculous that I haven't had an accident - I know how to drive in the snow. And, I never outdrive how far I can see - hence above, I excluded things like whiteouts. Again, several decades of driving, driving a LOT of miles, no accidents except hitting a bambi after my wife screamed (*screamed*) "look out!" I hit the brakes out of reflex & hit a deer that never had time to get in front of me, had I not slowed down.

Your experience in you area makes it acceptable to go faster, but even in the same state not everyone is that lucky, nor does everyone drive the same vehicle or type of vehicle.

I wish I could do more than 45 miles per hour in snow, but if you've ever driven on 287 around exits 11 to 5 at 3 AM in a Mustang you quickly realize experienced driving doesn't exactly make up for the lack of sufficient plowing, unless you happen to be following directly in the wake of a plow truck. I don't always have the luxury of staying off the interstate - it's how I get to work.

I think we'd all be fine if we lived in Dr. pizza's area, though.

 

[SparkyJJO]

Well we've had some snow today, but with the temperatures barely around freezing nothing stuck to the roads all day. Just damp roads at worst.

Still didn't stop grandpa from merging onto the interstate at 40 however. Dang it man, MOVE.

 

[DrPizza]

Crono, you're insane to drive a Mustang on a highway in snow!

 

[AMCRambler]

<-- lives in upstate NY, frequently drives to Lake George and Glenns Falls, also has driven I90 and Route 17 along the rural stretches.

55 is still nuts. Mark my words you have been lucky thus far. I know you won't be convinced until you crash in a snow storm in the middle of no where. Think about it. You go off that road and injure yourself, no one is going to find you. Especially in a snow storm. Cell phones are pretty hit and miss out there too. You could die.

That's all I'm going to say.

 

[natto fire]

I've got a 2wd F150 with Rocky Mountains, and I love 'em. Drove home one night in freezing rain, about 28f with a couple inches of slushy mess on the ground and didn't have an issue except where I walked it sideways on purpose exiting the parking lot.

Edit: Limited-slip differential helps a lot to go straight though.

Yeah, mine are being surprisingly durable as well. I think I have put 28K on the first pair I bought back in the summer of 2010, and they seem to be holding up really well. I forget the warranty period or treadwear on them off-hand, but I got a replacement warranty from Discount Tire anyways, because my off-road adventures would kill my last set of Kumho road tires. It was an employee at Discount that recommended them to me, as I was set to get some Duelers.

Do you put any weight in your bed, or just drive as is? I've noticed my tires don't really bite deep snow until I put some torque on them, and I have to be careful getting too confident when it comes to turning. They accelerate so well I often forget how slippery it is until I try to make a turn.