|
|
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 56
CEG\'er
|
CEG\'er
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 56 |
The above suggestions will help you greatly with driving in adverse conditions. Always remind yourself that the object you are operating cost you a lot of money and many working hours to obtain. Think of driving your car and a scale. The time you save driving too quickly may be a lot less than the time required to replace your car should you crash it. Take extra time and focus on what you are doing. One recommendation I make to everyone reading this who will be regularily driving in snowy conditions is to pack a small duffle bag with a few objects: - flashlight - blanket - hand warmers - chocolate bars - extra gloves and hat - small folding shovel (if you have one) - extra antifreeze for your window *wrap all these objects in a garbage bag and store in the trunk. I wouldn't want to put on wet gloves in the cold! I have always* had these in my car. Never used it for myself but to assist others who weren't driving accordingly. Heck, sometimes it pays to assist those in need, you'll make more friends and maybe get a turkey like I did! Chris 
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 405
CEG\'er
|
|
CEG\'er
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 405 |
Don't break durring the turns, don't gas during the turns, get some skinney tires on. Fallow at more of a distance. Watch out on lane changes, they are trickey when the roads have no snow but the lines do. All the other's are commen sense.
Tony Datsenko
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,660
Hard-core CEG\'er
|
|
Hard-core CEG\'er
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,660 |
Don't try that stupid e-brake maneuver. It'll only change which end of the car hits the curb/guardrail/tree/oncoming semi/etc. The best advice is to practice, practice, practice. The empty parking lot is your friend, but make sure there's no curb stops or any other nasties hidden under the snow first, i.e. scope it out now. Never done a Colorado winter but plenty of Buffalo winters under my belt, only one accident, when I was young and stupid and left braking way too late at an intersection.
Scott
Troll! '99 BMW 328i
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 427
CEG\'er
|
|
CEG\'er
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 427 |
Originally posted by Lonely_soul82:
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.
AAA-YYYYYY!!! 
You have a FWD car, don't ever, EVER downshift on slippery surfaces!! Downshifting only results in locking the front wheels, and you lose any steering you had - the weight of the car shifts to the front wheels (now locked), and you're in for a spin.
Winter driving is the science of avoiding stupid maneuvers (sp?) - both yours and other people's.
You have to drive very "lightly", like if you had an egg behind each of the gas and brake pedals. Accelerate smoothly, slowly, and brake in advance when possible. If not possible, just hard enough not to loose the steering (I don't have ABS nor TC on the Mystique).
4x4s are the worst: people tend to drive AWD vehicles like they are on a railroad track! As they say: 4x4s go further! Yeah right... further in the ditch.. :-)
And for the record, black ice is *NOT* shiny, and that's the problem. Black ice offers no reflection, and that makes you think the road is dry, when it's not.
J-Lab and many others from my area can tell you: we probably have the worst road system in North America, some of the worst conditions during the winter, and a whole lot of.. (how can I avoid the language filter?) err.. stupid drivers that are NOT driving. They are using a car to get somewhere, but they don't pay attention to anything: road conditions, other cars; they're on the phone, reading the newspaper or their Visa bills. Whenever we get the first-and-so-lonely snowflake, those people are simply frozen in fear, and suddenly all highways, bridges, streets are completely jammed, and _then_ accidents happen.
Kyo
1997 Mystique GS Duratec ATX -- sold
2005 Focus ST - Quicker! - Still a Duratec!
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 5,725
Hard-core CEG'er
|
|
Hard-core CEG'er
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 5,725 |
get good snow tires (all seasons are NOT the same)
drive like you normally would
don't do anything stupid
driving in the snow is a cinch as long as you use your head, especially in these cars. they are GREAT in the snow.
For Sale:
- Sony PSP with a Baseball 2k6 and the movie Crash. $100
- 1973 Karmann Ghia Convertible w/ Auto-Stick. Needs Restoration. $1200 OBO
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 1,423
Hard-core CEG\'er
|
|
Hard-core CEG\'er
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 1,423 |
This is not directed at anyone in particular, but here is my advice.
Stay off the roads when you don't need to be on them so that people that do know how to handle the conditions can actually get somewhere.
[rant]We have a snowstorm two years ago and got about 10-14" of snow. First time in many years we got that much at once. My wife drives a 4wd pickup. We both stayed home from work becuase it would have been pointless to be there without many others who could not make it. I drove to my sister's house to borrow her big snowblower. I could not pass her street because soe lady in a Civic (bone stock, but it is a low clearance vehicle) was stuck right in the middle. A neighbor was kindly helping her dig out the snow underneath her car. I told him to stop whiile I drive around her so I could get a tow strap. I proceded slowly and got hung up myself. Not bad as I backed out. Then told them to stand aside so I could get a little speed. Both of these people warned me about possible damaging this brance new Civi. I told them my truck cost $35k and I am more concerned about it her little car. For my own sake, I am not going to do anything stupid. So, I went by, got the rope, pull the car out and told the lady to park the car for the day. Why was she going out? Shopping at the mall.
To those AWD and 4WD haters, just try driving one such vehicle for once. Same with dedicated snow tires. Many all terrain tires used on trucks and SUV's perform very well in the snow compared to typical passenger all-season tires. Just because you are driving white knuckled doesn't mean everyone is. So, get out of the way; I'm coming.[/rant]
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 682
Veteran CEG\'er
|
|
Veteran CEG\'er
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 682 |
Just use your worn out KDW tires until february, then when a bad snow storm hits, try to drive from the hotel you are at to a Bridgestone dealer for some Potenza All-Seasons while avoiding getting stuck in 4"-6" of snow. Worked for me last winter.
And inspect those ground effects after each time you drive.
98.5 Contour SVT
"Too many OB/GYNs aren't able to practice their love with women all across this country"
--US President George W Bush
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,889
Hard-core CEG\'er
|
|
Hard-core CEG\'er
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,889 |
Quote:
Just because you are driving white knuckled doesn't mean everyone is. So, get out of the way; I'm coming
Your one of those people in the ditch that I laugh at as I drive by! 
99 Contour Sport SE MTX
KKM filter, B&M shifter
No res, BAT kit
Green car silver hood (because silver is faster)
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,889
Hard-core CEG\'er
|
|
Hard-core CEG\'er
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,889 |
Quote:
Don't try that stupid e-brake maneuver. It'll only change which end of the car hits the curb/guardrail/tree/oncoming semi/etc.
Give it a try before you condemn it. If your hitting something your hanging on the brake to long rookie. 
99 Contour Sport SE MTX
KKM filter, B&M shifter
No res, BAT kit
Green car silver hood (because silver is faster)
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 2,489
Hard-core CEG\'er
|
|
Hard-core CEG\'er
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 2,489 |
something that i dont think anyone mentioned- a window ice scraper. i know it sounds kind of obvious, but it sucks when you park your car outside and end up having a quarter of an inch of ice on your windshield and no way to get it off lol- throw a window scraper in your trunk.
1998 T-Red CSVT 3.0L
|
|
|
|
|
