Tips for driving in snow.
Discussion
Ok as a Canadian living on this tropical island paradise called England here are my ten tips for driving in snow in case you get enough to worry about.
1/ Don't. If your journey isn't 100% necessary don't bother. You are putting yourself and everyone else at risk.
2/ Plan your route the night before, take into consideration the possibility of accidents and other blockages, plan several alternative routes, don't rely on the Sat' Nav' to get you out of trouble it may be too late by then. Try to stick to main roads, bus routes and roads leading to and from hospitals and fire stations as these get priority when gritting.
3/ Make sure your car has no faults or defects, tyre treads, pressure, heater works, fuel/water/oil/screen wash levels are within peramiters set by the manufacturer, make sure the car has a fully inflated spare wheel/jack/wheel brace/tool kit and (most important) clear as much snow off the vehicle as possible (for the sake of other road uses). Do not let your tyres down to widen your foot print in an effort to get more grip. That may work on sand but snow is completely different and you will go sideways at the first bend.
4/ Tune the car's radio into a local station for traffic and weather updates don't listen to a tape/cd/mp3 (you muppet). Take a change of clothes and keep them in an air tight container (tied off carrier bag is ideal), wear something high viz' if possible. Take a spare dry pair of (sensible) shoes (so if you have to get out of the car you can have dry feet on the pedals) and two pairs of gloves (one dry one wet).
5/ If you car doesn't have mats grab a pair of old jeans to place under the wheels should you find yourself stuck (that has been a life saver in the past believe me). Place one leg of the jeans under the drive wheel that isn't gripping. Try to move the car until the jeans are pulled under. Tie the legs together and drive away.
6/ First Aid kit, blanket and a thermos of hot sweet tea. You may be the first on the scene of an accident. If you're not keen on doing first aid chances are someone there will be and the kit will be very useful to them. A wool blanket can stop someone from going into shock, protect them from the cold, can be used to evelate a wound or put someone in a correct recovery possition for the symptoms. Also if you find yourself stuck somewhere you'll need to wrap up yourself.
7/ Make sure your mobile phone is fully charged and if you have one take an in-car charger with you.
8/ Rescue equiptment. Take a shovel, spade or even a trowel with you (just in case) and make sure if you take a tow rope or bar it is tested up to five times the weight of your vehicle. If you get stuck the resistance of the snow is reletive to the weight of your car.
Six Inches of snow = The weight of your vehicle resistance.
One Foot of snow = Two times the weight of the vehicle resistance.
Two Feet of snow = five times the weight of the vehicle resistance.
9/ Do not drive with your front fog lights or main beem on during snow fall! This is plain stupidity and will reduce your vision whilst dazzling other road users.
10/ If you have any doubts what so ever, don't drive. If you can not avoid it, drive at your own pace don't worry about holding anyone else up. If you have an accident trying to rush because you're being tailgated they won't stop and thank you for it. Just take your time and take care.
If I've missed anything (I can think of several but ten is a nice number) feel free to add to it. Be safe. Rob
1/ Don't. If your journey isn't 100% necessary don't bother. You are putting yourself and everyone else at risk.
2/ Plan your route the night before, take into consideration the possibility of accidents and other blockages, plan several alternative routes, don't rely on the Sat' Nav' to get you out of trouble it may be too late by then. Try to stick to main roads, bus routes and roads leading to and from hospitals and fire stations as these get priority when gritting.
3/ Make sure your car has no faults or defects, tyre treads, pressure, heater works, fuel/water/oil/screen wash levels are within peramiters set by the manufacturer, make sure the car has a fully inflated spare wheel/jack/wheel brace/tool kit and (most important) clear as much snow off the vehicle as possible (for the sake of other road uses). Do not let your tyres down to widen your foot print in an effort to get more grip. That may work on sand but snow is completely different and you will go sideways at the first bend.
4/ Tune the car's radio into a local station for traffic and weather updates don't listen to a tape/cd/mp3 (you muppet). Take a change of clothes and keep them in an air tight container (tied off carrier bag is ideal), wear something high viz' if possible. Take a spare dry pair of (sensible) shoes (so if you have to get out of the car you can have dry feet on the pedals) and two pairs of gloves (one dry one wet).
5/ If you car doesn't have mats grab a pair of old jeans to place under the wheels should you find yourself stuck (that has been a life saver in the past believe me). Place one leg of the jeans under the drive wheel that isn't gripping. Try to move the car until the jeans are pulled under. Tie the legs together and drive away.
6/ First Aid kit, blanket and a thermos of hot sweet tea. You may be the first on the scene of an accident. If you're not keen on doing first aid chances are someone there will be and the kit will be very useful to them. A wool blanket can stop someone from going into shock, protect them from the cold, can be used to evelate a wound or put someone in a correct recovery possition for the symptoms. Also if you find yourself stuck somewhere you'll need to wrap up yourself.
7/ Make sure your mobile phone is fully charged and if you have one take an in-car charger with you.
8/ Rescue equiptment. Take a shovel, spade or even a trowel with you (just in case) and make sure if you take a tow rope or bar it is tested up to five times the weight of your vehicle. If you get stuck the resistance of the snow is reletive to the weight of your car.
Six Inches of snow = The weight of your vehicle resistance.
One Foot of snow = Two times the weight of the vehicle resistance.
Two Feet of snow = five times the weight of the vehicle resistance.
9/ Do not drive with your front fog lights or main beem on during snow fall! This is plain stupidity and will reduce your vision whilst dazzling other road users.
10/ If you have any doubts what so ever, don't drive. If you can not avoid it, drive at your own pace don't worry about holding anyone else up. If you have an accident trying to rush because you're being tailgated they won't stop and thank you for it. Just take your time and take care.
If I've missed anything (I can think of several but ten is a nice number) feel free to add to it. Be safe. Rob
Edited by Robert060379 on Friday 8th January 02:55
Don't do what most of these people did.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DiWdJv1mbmg&fea...
Probably a repost ( what isn't when it's youtube
) but Holy Moly, are people really that silly. Was that guy trying to slow his car by surfing on the pavement ?
Andy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DiWdJv1mbmg&fea...
Probably a repost ( what isn't when it's youtube
) but Holy Moly, are people really that silly. Was that guy trying to slow his car by surfing on the pavement ? Andy
Edited by zakelwe on Friday 8th January 08:08
zakelwe said:
Don't do what most of these people did.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DiWdJv1mbmg&fea...
Probably a repost ( what isn't when it's youtube ) but Holy Moly, are people really that silly. Was that guy trying to slow his car by surfing on the pavement ?
Andy
Loving the way the woman jumps out of the car just before its going to crash, because being on the floor in the road with another car skidding behind her is so much safer.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DiWdJv1mbmg&fea...
Probably a repost ( what isn't when it's youtube
) but Holy Moly, are people really that silly. Was that guy trying to slow his car by surfing on the pavement ? Andy
Edited by zakelwe on Friday 8th January 08:08
I had to drive up a Welsh hill to a house I was staying at over Christmas. It was 1 in 4 at it's steepest and covered in snow and ice. I got halfway up it in my 2 wheel drive Audi (with fairly worn tyres) until inevitably I just stopped due to lack of traction and momentum.
It was clear I wasn't going to move and was about to block the road as I was sliding backwards. I dropped the front tyres to about 5psi and that was enough to get me up.
So always carry a footpump with you so after you've done that you can re-inflate them.
It was clear I wasn't going to move and was about to block the road as I was sliding backwards. I dropped the front tyres to about 5psi and that was enough to get me up.
So always carry a footpump with you so after you've done that you can re-inflate them.
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