Best way to get as much traction as possible in this weather

[fizz876]

Hi...

So my car spun out this morning though fortunatley no damage to anyone or anything. So with my car 90 degress to the direction of the road i couldnt seem to get any traction and had to be pulled out.

When I got home this evening my car wouldnt go up the incline which leads to the estate I live on. It just kept spinning. Had to get lots of people help push the car up...

My cars a 1.8 RWD so whats the best way to get as much traction as possible. I have let the air down a little in the tyres but not sure how much I should let them down.

Any other techniques in drving in this weather or getting up a slight incline?

[fizz876]

Sorry posted in wrong forum...Can one of the mods please move it to General Gassing

[ofcorsa]

sand bags in your boot?

[Nic Jones]

As high a gear as you can manage to try and stop the wheels spinning.

And a fking good run up at the hill!

[Ed]

Get a mate with a Landie to tow you ;-)

The old man had an RWD volvo estate when we were young and stuck 2 paving slabs in the back to get up our drive (15 degree incline).

Word of warning that the weight has to be over the rear wheels or you get a serious pendulum effect...ask some early 911 Turbo owners.

[jkennyd]

I have a nightmare as well. I have an XJR with a big 4l v8 over the front wheels and its rwd

I drive my old primera in this weather and its magic.

[Mr Dave]

Drive slower.

High gears.

If you get stuck clear a bit in front of the wheels with your foot or whatever, will get you moving.

Increase Tyre pressures.

Be as smooth as possible.

If its safe to do so drive up a hill at an angle so it isnt as steep.

[bigfoot7]

Winter tyres - see other threads. They really do make a difference and aren't as daft as it sounds. We don't get much snow but remember they are "winter" tyres, not just for the white stuff.

[Bernie-the-bolt]

I own probably the most powerful car man ever made...... a BMW 535D...yes, I know, gods can only dream of having that much power.

This morning I was stuck on an reasonably long incline with a queue of cars much further behind me also struggling or stuck. Having tried to simply feather the go faster pedal for about 10 minutes, I decided to unlock the beast and turn off all traction control aids. I then simply wacked it into sport mode and went for it in 1st using the paddles so the engine wouldn't change up. To my utter surprise the car moved in the right direction and then with much wheel spinning, moved forward up the hill and on I went on my way whilst those in 'normal' cars stayed put

Even British snow can't hold back the immense power of the x35D

[andy-xr]

I went out first thing this morning to take some dawn snow pics. What I found was momentum and low revs was key to moving anywhere. Once I'd stopped it was tricky to get going again.

No full lock, espcially from stand still as the car will just lurch sideways. I was in a TDCi and found 1st gear at 1500 rpm was perfect for going up hills, and gently on the brakes pulling the clutch up in first (no accelerator) was fine going down hills

[Poledriver]

A few years ago Milton Keynes turned into an ice-rink! Total chaos through the town and loads of muppets sliding backwards and sideways with wheels spinning at full revs. I had an Rover 75 CDTi (yawn), just put it into 2nd gear and kept foot off throttle, used clutch control to get moving then gentle acceleration to start progress. Worked every time, even on small inclines!

[eliot]

Poledriver said:

A few years ago Milton Keynes turned into an ice-rink! Total chaos through the town and loads of muppets sliding backwards and sideways with wheels spinning at full revs. I had an Rover 75 CDTi (yawn), just put it into 2nd gear and kept foot off throttle, used clutch control to get moving then gentle acceleration to start progress. Worked every time, even on small inclines!

I remember that - got a lift back from the station by a complete stranger. They were all taking it in turns trying to get up chichley hill.

[Poledriver]

eliot said:

Poledriver said:

A few years ago Milton Keynes turned into an ice-rink! Total chaos through the town and loads of muppets sliding backwards and sideways with wheels spinning at full revs. I had an Rover 75 CDTi (yawn), just put it into 2nd gear and kept foot off throttle, used clutch control to get moving then gentle acceleration to start progress. Worked every time, even on small inclines!

I remember that - got a lift back from the station by a complete stranger. They were all taking it in turns trying to get up chichley hill.

How the hell do you manage in that beast of yours? It's bad enough in the dry!

[nottyash]

The lower the gear the easier the wheels spin then loose traction. be gentle and use higher gears.

[groomi]

jkennyd said:

I have a nightmare as well. I have an XJR with a big 4l v8 over the front wheels and its rwd

You wuss! Mine was alright out last night, just had to take things really easy and keep up momentum. I've also got Vredesteins on which seem better in snow than the OEM P Zeros.

[gib6933]

Chains

[Zad]

Go to Halfords etc and get some chains?

Wouldn't you just know it, first decent snow in years and my XR4x4 is out of MoT Test is on Weds.

[Stack]

Poledriver said:

A few years ago Milton Keynes turned into an ice-rink! Total chaos through the town and loads of muppets sliding backwards and sideways with wheels spinning at full revs. I had an Rover 75 CDTi (yawn), just put it into 2nd gear and kept foot off throttle, used clutch control to get moving then gentle acceleration to start progress. Worked every time, even on small inclines!

Thats exactly the technique I use in my diesel Passat, its a very effective car in the snow....all that weight on the nose & little power ..

[Westy Pre-Lit]

Stack said:

Poledriver said:

A few years ago Milton Keynes turned into an ice-rink! Total chaos through the town and loads of muppets sliding backwards and sideways with wheels spinning at full revs. I had an Rover 75 CDTi (yawn), just put it into 2nd gear and kept foot off throttle, used clutch control to get moving then gentle acceleration to start progress. Worked every time, even on small inclines!

Thats exactly the technique I use in my diesel Passat, its a very effective car in the snow....all that weight on the nose & little power ..

Yep had to do exactly the same today. Made me chuckle when i sailed past a few numpties revving the nuts off their motors.

Same thing happened last year when i come across a Police car slippin' and a sliddin' up a slight incline LOL, and to think these people are supposed to be trained drivers.

[monthefish]

Mr Dave said:

Increase Tyre pressures.