Driving & surviving in winter !
Discussion
Below are some tips on : Driving & surviving in a high performance car in the winter.. they are things that I’ve picked up on various driver training schemes that I’ve been on thru the years..
Please feel free to add to them if you wish !
Like many – I’m not scared of driving in the winter … frustrated sometimes for sure though …
1) Car Condition: Make sure your car is fit for winter driving – make sure the tyres are in good condition with correct pressure etc.. also that the brakes and suspension are OK too..
Check all fluid levels – brakes, clutch and especially the windscreen washer reservoirs. Make sure wiper blades are in good condition and finally that all bulbs work !
2) Round-abouts: The most common place to have an accident !
Slow in – slow out .. be gentle on the throttle – imagine an egg between your foot and the accelerator pedal – if you don’t need to stop then try to be a gear higher that in summer.. So instead of 2nd .. use 3rd !
If stopped at front of Q – handbrake on.. But use the footbrake too – this shows the brake lights as a visible sign that you are still there.
Also – when you are second in Q and the person in front goes.. double check that they have gone and not just had to stop in middle of the road … this second double check saves loads of slow speed rear enders…
3) Corners: Don’t be tempted to “max it” – grip in winter is often poor and most roads do not have run off - for you to get it all back together like a race track.
4) Straights: Accelerate slowly.. Make allowance for low grip surfaces – water, ice and grit/salt reduce the roads grip.
5) Junctions: If you cannot see due to steamed up windows .. open side windows.. most are electric now.. If visibility is poor due to other vehicles in the way – use the horn .. That’s what it’s there for !
6) Steering Inputs: Should be slow and deliberate … especially when changing lanes.
7) Stopping Distance: Allow a greater stopping distance in winter.
8) Trees / leaves / shade / standing water: look out for these – the road will be much more slippery here – so make allowances.
9) Hassle from behind: Double your distance to the car in front.. That usually does the trick and if the worst happens – then at least you only have damage at the rear !
10) Wanna Race : Sorry but light weight powerful sports cars work best in summer .. Leave ‘Chav Nova Boy’ or ‘Rep – I’ve got to get to the next meeting’ go.. It’s not worth it !
Please feel free to add to them if you wish !
Like many – I’m not scared of driving in the winter … frustrated sometimes for sure though …
1) Car Condition: Make sure your car is fit for winter driving – make sure the tyres are in good condition with correct pressure etc.. also that the brakes and suspension are OK too..
Check all fluid levels – brakes, clutch and especially the windscreen washer reservoirs. Make sure wiper blades are in good condition and finally that all bulbs work !
2) Round-abouts: The most common place to have an accident !
Slow in – slow out .. be gentle on the throttle – imagine an egg between your foot and the accelerator pedal – if you don’t need to stop then try to be a gear higher that in summer.. So instead of 2nd .. use 3rd !
If stopped at front of Q – handbrake on.. But use the footbrake too – this shows the brake lights as a visible sign that you are still there.
Also – when you are second in Q and the person in front goes.. double check that they have gone and not just had to stop in middle of the road … this second double check saves loads of slow speed rear enders…
3) Corners: Don’t be tempted to “max it” – grip in winter is often poor and most roads do not have run off - for you to get it all back together like a race track.
4) Straights: Accelerate slowly.. Make allowance for low grip surfaces – water, ice and grit/salt reduce the roads grip.
5) Junctions: If you cannot see due to steamed up windows .. open side windows.. most are electric now.. If visibility is poor due to other vehicles in the way – use the horn .. That’s what it’s there for !
6) Steering Inputs: Should be slow and deliberate … especially when changing lanes.
7) Stopping Distance: Allow a greater stopping distance in winter.
8) Trees / leaves / shade / standing water: look out for these – the road will be much more slippery here – so make allowances.
9) Hassle from behind: Double your distance to the car in front.. That usually does the trick and if the worst happens – then at least you only have damage at the rear !
10) Wanna Race : Sorry but light weight powerful sports cars work best in summer .. Leave ‘Chav Nova Boy’ or ‘Rep – I’ve got to get to the next meeting’ go.. It’s not worth it !
I'd add
OVERTAKING... The white lines get very slippy. pulling out quickly and crossing them can have the tail wagging and if your not carefull spinning into the car you are overtaking... or off into a hedge and rolling it...
I've seen it done and its not nice
Also joining motorways.
last time it got snowy i drove very carefully to the mway then gave it some beans down the slip road.. as i came off the slip road onto the mway, the back twitched and i traveled for about 200 yds with the front of the car in the middle lane and the back in either the inside or outer lane !!!
G
OVERTAKING... The white lines get very slippy. pulling out quickly and crossing them can have the tail wagging and if your not carefull spinning into the car you are overtaking... or off into a hedge and rolling it...
I've seen it done and its not nice
Also joining motorways.
last time it got snowy i drove very carefully to the mway then gave it some beans down the slip road.. as i came off the slip road onto the mway, the back twitched and i traveled for about 200 yds with the front of the car in the middle lane and the back in either the inside or outer lane !!!
G
It's not only preparing the car that matters here though, consider the following as well:
Choice of footwear when driving as you need to be more sensitive on the foot controls, avoid wet soles if poss etc.
Make sure all the windows are de-misted before setting off.
Consider taking one of the throttle springs off if you have more than one to make the throttle lighter and therefore more controllable.
Take care out there!
Paul
Choice of footwear when driving as you need to be more sensitive on the foot controls, avoid wet soles if poss etc.
Make sure all the windows are de-misted before setting off.
Consider taking one of the throttle springs off if you have more than one to make the throttle lighter and therefore more controllable.
Take care out there!
Paul
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