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Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 53
CEG\'er
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CEG\'er
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 53 |
my $.02....
Tip 1) Don't depend on the last 6' of stopping distance to bring 75% of you momentum to a stop. That's how most people drive in stop and go traffic in the summer. The first slushy/icy day and even though they started applying the brakes early enough, they end up not having enough traction at the end to get the stoppin' done. Most winter/city accidents around here are little rear-enders, not the high speed skidding across the a bunch of lanes type of affair.
Tip 2) dedicated winter tires! (preferably with steel studs) But, be careful when braking. I've coasted through stop signs with glare ice that I could've stopped at with my studded tires (I could see there wasn't traffic coming). The reason I didn't stop was that in the rearview, I could see someone behind me who was oblivious to #1 above, and who wouldn't have been able to keep from rear ending me on their "all" seasons.
Tip 3) There's nothing magical about 4wd. Just because people can accelerate like summer under slippery conditions, doesn't necessarily mean they can maintain control on slick roads at summer speeds, or stop without a lot more stopping distance. So watch out for the 4x4's. When the city roads are icy, my fwd contour with studded winter tires and traction control will out handle and out brake most stock tired SUV's. Drop 12" of snow, well that's a different matter.
OK, maybe that was $.04.
Brent
95 SE MTX (only 104K km!)
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Joined: Dec 2000
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Hard-core CEG\'er
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Hard-core CEG\'er
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Originally posted by RT and his SE:
Your one of those people in the ditch that I laugh at as I drive by! 
Are you one of those I feel the need to punt out of the way because you feel the need to drive 20mph on a straight road in 2" of snow?
The only time I put a vehicle in a ditch was on a dry road in an SCCA road rally. Compltely my fault, last minute crank of the wheel when my navigator recognized the street sign in the dark. Hit some gravel and off we go. I have never lost control on public roads in the snow in my 13 years of driving. It could happen some day, but I haven't even had a scarry moment in the snow. Dry and wet, oh yeah.
Do not doubt my vehicle control abilities.
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Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,228
Hard-core CEG\'er
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Hard-core CEG\'er
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Originally posted by RT and his SE:
I think in Colo. you can have tire chains. It's a good idea to pickup a set just in case because you will see 2 foot snowfalls regularly. 
No chains unless you have 14" tires. Not enough clearance in the fenders on the Contour even for compact chains.
You don't want to rip your fenders apart or rip your brake lines out as the broken chain wraps around your axle.
My name is Richard. I was a Contouraholic.
NOW: '02 Mazda B3000 Dual Sport, Black
BEFORE: '99 Contour SE Sport
Duratec ATX Spruce Green
PIAA 510's, Foglight MOD, K&N Drop-in
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 2,489
Hard-core CEG\'er
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Hard-core CEG\'er
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so those 14" tires ARE good for something.... 
1998 T-Red CSVT 3.0L
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Posts: 688
Veteran CEG\'er
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Veteran CEG\'er
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first of the ebrake manuver does work, BUT before you try it in real driveing conditions practice in a parking lot.
The statement is true practice makes perfece, you'll never be 100% perfect winter driver(to many variable to put in) but you can come close. So go to that parking lot and practice skid controll.
SNOW TIRES, tall and skinny.
start in the highest gear possible, your not at the races to see how can get to speed first, This allows the most out of the traction you do have.
Speaking of traction never think you have over 50% traction in winter, because you don't.
get a winter servival kit. and if you do get stuck don't leave the heat on. Turn off and on the car to heat your self up. KNOW WERE YOUR TOW CLAPS ARE AT, or get a T-hook, This will save a lot of pain(long story, I was young in a ditch, log chain came loose tore a hole in the tranny.)
basically drive like the grandma in your naborhood, always slow, and precashus.
2002 Ford ZX2 5spd (2nd baby)
Former owner of 1998 Mystique (never filled the shoes on my first love)parents traded for new sable
Former owner of 1996 Mystique(My true baby  )
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Joined: Aug 2002
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Hard-core CEG\'er
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Hard-core CEG\'er
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Spelling police!!!!! Quote:
basically drive like the grandma in your naborhood, always slow, and precashus.
-neighborhood
-Precautious would be the correct spelling.
However, "be cautious" would be the correct usage.
Precaution is doing something before the problem starts. Putting snow tires on before it snows would be taking a precaution. Driving carefully is just being cautious.
I am just in a mood so don't mind me too much. I still understood what you meant. 
My name is Richard. I was a Contouraholic.
NOW: '02 Mazda B3000 Dual Sport, Black
BEFORE: '99 Contour SE Sport
Duratec ATX Spruce Green
PIAA 510's, Foglight MOD, K&N Drop-in
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Quote:
Are you one of those I feel the need to punt out of the way because you feel the need to drive 20mph on a straight road in 2" of snow?
I've been driving thru Minnesota winter's for 26 years. Punt if you must but you have to catch me first!
I've had one accident in the winter when I got rear ended by a school bus. The car and I were able to drive home that night. The school bus went home on the hook. Final score:
1972 Delta 88 1, school bus 0. Thank God for American metal!
Quote:
I have never lost control on public roads in the snow in my 13 years of driving.
Your just not trying hard enough!
99 Contour Sport SE MTX
KKM filter, B&M shifter
No res, BAT kit
Green car silver hood (because silver is faster)
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Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 165
CEG\'er
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CEG\'er
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 165 |
Don't drive faster than you are comfortable (which goes for all conditions) and be as smooth as possible. Don't drive 20 mph in the left lane of the highway. If someone else wants to go faster, let them. It is safer for them to be going faster ahead of you than behind you. Something I don't think I saw is to give yourself plenty of time wherever you are going. If you aren't in a hurry, you are less likely to make a mistake. You will probably find that bad conditions are fairly rare, usu. in the morning and late at night. So with my $.02, this makes almost a dollar, right?
Contour--It will make a master mechanic out of you!
95 LX MTX Bolt-ons
95 Neon SOHC ATX
77 Dodge Powerwagon-more displacement than my Neon, Contour, and wife's Saturn---combined!
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Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 3,264
Hard-core CEG'er
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Originally posted by APT:
Originally posted by RT and his SE:
Your one of those people in the ditch that I laugh at as I drive by!
Are you one of those I feel the need to punt out of the way because you feel the need to drive 20mph on a straight road in 2" of snow?
The only time I put a vehicle in a ditch was on a dry road in an SCCA road rally. Compltely my fault, last minute crank of the wheel when my navigator recognized the street sign in the dark. Hit some gravel and off we go. I have never lost control on public roads in the snow in my 13 years of driving. It could happen some day, but I haven't even had a scarry moment in the snow. Dry and wet, oh yeah.
Do not doubt my vehicle control abilities.
I lost control in the snow yesterday... but I was in the $50 Micra with completely bald 10 year old rubber... and I was on an ATV trail about a foot off the ground when I started to spin... I'll be buying some snow tires for it before it goes back out on public streets if there's anything more than a centimeter of snow. Don;t really feel like killing anyone, and on a less important note, I'd hate to have to get the Micra safety inspected after an accident 
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Joined: Dec 2000
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Hard-core CEG\'er
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Originally posted by RT and his SE:
Your just not trying hard enough!
Hahaha! I suppose. I did say public roads, though. I've have fun in snow autocrosses and other parking lot endeavours.
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