Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Common Interests winter driving tips??

well its that time of year now when the snow starts to fall. problem is, im from the sunshine state and i live in colorado now. i set up the svt with some contiextremes so i should be ok on tires. do any of you guys have any winter driving tips for me so i dont slide into a curb? of course i know exercise caution in general when the slippery stuff is on the ground, but i havent gotten any snow time in yet so i dont know that cars limits. i plan on going to a big parking lot the first time we get a big snow to check things out, but i was looking for some help for a snow noob. thanks guys.

Down shift instead of slamming the brakes when you see snow, no sudden moves, black ice is shiney, stay away from shiney road surface, turn into the spin. That's about it.

Oh yeah, in big parking lots, you can practice you power slide skills!

i was worried about my car in the snow too...so i am buying and old wrangler for the winter....and for the fun of it

1) If you're running hi-performance Summer tires, get you a set of all-seasons at a minimum; if you have the money, buy a set of rims and snow tires. I've yet to drive on any Summer tires that have been anything but horrid in snow/ice/slush.

They REALLY do help that much and make driving on the nasty stuff far less challenging.

2) Start off in second. You might have to ride the clutch a bit, but it keeps you from sliding all over the place when starting to move. Low-gear torque sucks on ice...

3) Brake EARLY and often! Don't slam on the brakes, even though ABS will help keep you lined up; it can only do so much.

4) Drive slow.

5) PRAY that you don't have an idiot that doesn't follow 1-4 behind you...

All are common-sense rules; I'm sure I'm not telling you anything new here.

I always say this when giving winter tips...ALWAYS watch the other guy, and never expect them to do what they should. Defense is the game in the snow, especially when dealing with too many people in 4x4's who think it makes you invincible. I think you have a good plan otherwise, go to a big lot and practice, toss the car around a bit and learn how it handles. If you can figure out how to control a FWD car in a skid more power to you, I still can't do it. I actually bought a RWD car for winter cause I can control it better!

This takes a little practice but I find the ebrake very handy in the winter. I'll explain for those not familiar. Let's say you go into a turn and the front end starts to push through the turn, if you pull on the ebrake (thumb on the lock button) just long enough to get the wheels to lock for a second. You'll know if you applied to much if you do a 180. The back end will slide a bit and the front wheels will find their traction 9 out of 10 times depending on the conditions.
A good all season tire IMO are Goodyear Aqua tread 3's. Very good dry road manners, excellent wet handling and very good in the snow. Plus there speed rated and have a 60000 mile warranty.
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.

My $.02 on the matter is this. When the snow starts flying I go and find a desserted stretch of road. I prefer out in the boonies. I practice losing control and forcing a skid. Then I try to recover from it. I do this till I have yet again learned to do it instinctively. Doesn't usually take to long and every year that I have driven in foul winter weather I have been thankful I have done this. It certianly hones my reflexes. Drive safe.

Let me add to what Jato said.

Not only drive slow, but drive deliberately. Allow more space, pay very close attention to what the other loose nuts behind the wheel are doing and so forth.

So you must leave much more space between you and the cars around you if you can.

Momentum, it may be your friend, but can also be your enemy. It is harder to get started, so if you can keep moving, you are less likely to get stuck.

However, it is also harder to get stopped if you need to, so you have a greater chance to run into things, like other cars, curbs, etc.

Snow is not nearly as bad as ice. You can usually see snow, but you often cannot see ice.

Bridges and overpasses often freeze over before the rest of the road surface freezes.

You should be able to see out of all of your windows before you drive off. You are not driving an Abrams tank, so don't just clear off a port hole in the front before you drive away in the morning.

Use your lights, it's not just about you being able to see, but others being able to see you. Especially if you have a light colored car in snow use them. It is not easy to see a white or silver car in daylight when the background is snow.

(This is a pet peeve of mine, 99% of people think their head lights are there just so they can see, they are also there so others can see you. So use them at dusk and at dawn, even if you can see fine, if you can't see the cars behind you from the glare of the sun, then you need your headlights on.)

FWIW,

TB

Slow, safe driving to meet road conditions will beat any snow tire.

Both is best though...