Snow driving tips!
Discussion
I like to think Im not one of those numpties who causes Britain to grind to a halt at the first sign of a snow flake - I've spent many happy months slithering round the alps in the past. However, I did have a bit of a close call last year on the crap summer tyres on the Focus on a steep snowy hill and I wondered what the best approach was.
Apart from 'get some suitable tyres' (for the three days a year they're actually needed) or 'disable the ABS' (because as far as I'm aware I can't on the Focus) are there any tips from driving in the snow?
I found on snow tyres any imbecile could slide around like a driving god, but on summer rubber it's a rather different story. What should you do if the car tries to become a sledge?
Apart from 'get some suitable tyres' (for the three days a year they're actually needed) or 'disable the ABS' (because as far as I'm aware I can't on the Focus) are there any tips from driving in the snow?
I found on snow tyres any imbecile could slide around like a driving god, but on summer rubber it's a rather different story. What should you do if the car tries to become a sledge?
Very simple really. Just drive as fast as the conditions allow and keep nice and smooth on the steering/
The problem you get out on the roads in the first snow is stupid people driving like they usually would. Cue multiple accidents to compound the chaos and people driving too fast because they are late because they has to defrost the car...
The problem you get out on the roads in the first snow is stupid people driving like they usually would. Cue multiple accidents to compound the chaos and people driving too fast because they are late because they has to defrost the car...
Turn in early, feel those front tyres start to slide, tug the emergency oversteer lever, touch of oppo and gently accelerate staying in a high gear. Possibly 
I used to love driving my 106 in the snow on it's skinny tyres. I think it'll be quite interesting in the ZR with fatter tyres and stiffer suspension. I may find out this afternoon if I'mlucky unlucky! 
I used to love driving my 106 in the snow on it's skinny tyres. I think it'll be quite interesting in the ZR with fatter tyres and stiffer suspension. I may find out this afternoon if I'm
Smooth smooth and smoother still. Treat all the controls of your car,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, yes you guessed it, as smoothly as you can. Gently steering inputs, gentle brake applications [ yes its better if you can disconnect ABS] gentle acceleration in as high a gear as poss.
If your car turns into a sledge, get off the brakes, get in a lower gear [ to assist braking ], and try and point the front of the car where you want to go, using any means, handbrake included.
Fat tyres and stiff suspension,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, brave!
If your car turns into a sledge, get off the brakes, get in a lower gear [ to assist braking ], and try and point the front of the car where you want to go, using any means, handbrake included.
Fat tyres and stiff suspension,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, brave!
Theres only one Snow driving tip that really matters.
SLOW DOWN.
Thats kind of your basic, introductury lesson 1, in driving in poor conditions, yet so many people dont do it!
Getting more involved a lesson in traction and grip.
TRACTION, is what allows the turning of a driven wheel to be transformed into the forward motion of the vehicle.
GRIP is the friction force between the tyre and road that allows the tyre to drive, to turn, and to brake.
4x4 Vehicles have more TRACTION.
They DO NOT have more GRIP.
Yes, thats aimed at you, numbskull in the Rangerover/ML/X5 doing 80 in the snow covered lane 3 while everyone else is doing 40.
SLOW DOWN.
Thats kind of your basic, introductury lesson 1, in driving in poor conditions, yet so many people dont do it!
Getting more involved a lesson in traction and grip.
TRACTION, is what allows the turning of a driven wheel to be transformed into the forward motion of the vehicle.
GRIP is the friction force between the tyre and road that allows the tyre to drive, to turn, and to brake.
4x4 Vehicles have more TRACTION.
They DO NOT have more GRIP.
Yes, thats aimed at you, numbskull in the Rangerover/ML/X5 doing 80 in the snow covered lane 3 while everyone else is doing 40.
Now that little rant previous is off my chest...
If you do find yourself in a slide - always, always make sure your front wheels are pointing in the direction you want to be travelling. Many people who spin out will do so beacuse an initial slide got them into trouble, but they tank-slap back round again once they hit some grip becasue the front wheels are not poiting the right way and tug them round.
if you come to a big hill that people are struggling to get up Dont charge up to it at high speed.
Slow down - stop if nessecary, but BEFORE the hill not at the bottom of it. Leave a big gap to the car just gone. Then steady away, steady speed, high gear, low revs, egg-shell under the throttle pedal style.
If you do find yourself in a slide - always, always make sure your front wheels are pointing in the direction you want to be travelling. Many people who spin out will do so beacuse an initial slide got them into trouble, but they tank-slap back round again once they hit some grip becasue the front wheels are not poiting the right way and tug them round.
if you come to a big hill that people are struggling to get up Dont charge up to it at high speed.
Slow down - stop if nessecary, but BEFORE the hill not at the bottom of it. Leave a big gap to the car just gone. Then steady away, steady speed, high gear, low revs, egg-shell under the throttle pedal style.
Nic jones said:
shirt said:
snow driving tips?
buy a snotter, hit the b-roads, use snow drifts to brake
Rally Sweden anyone? buy a snotter, hit the b-roads, use snow drifts to brake
Love that idea!I just shelled out £450 for a set of Winter Nokians for the XJ, that rather smarts
But I dont like the uneasy feeling I get when Im travelling on ungritted/icy roads & I can feel the steering goes crazily light & can sense the back stepping out without any significant input from me to cause it...Even if Im travelling only 25 mph
think about a change of rules on hills......... usually cars climbing have priority...... if you are climbing wait stop before the hill and if you meet a car coming the other way try to get out of theirs.... the chances of them stopping is slim.
Smoothness is the key, keep the wheels turning also helps a lot..
(this is all written by the bloke who was power sliding a LWB Defender up a mountain yesterday before the Snow Plough got there!!)
If you do start to understeer which you will do with the focus GENTLY apply the power and keep the front wheels pointing where you want to end up the back end will eventually follow the rest of the car..
Smoothness is the key, keep the wheels turning also helps a lot..
(this is all written by the bloke who was power sliding a LWB Defender up a mountain yesterday before the Snow Plough got there!!)
If you do start to understeer which you will do with the focus GENTLY apply the power and keep the front wheels pointing where you want to end up the back end will eventually follow the rest of the car..
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