Tips for driving a manual in snow?
Discussion
maverickdrives said:
Since it might start snowing soon, what tips can you give me driving a manual in snow? It will be my first time driving in snow and ice. I have heard you should use clutch as less as possible in snow, I already try to use clutch as less as possible. How do you drive in snow to prevent skidding on start and turning? Obviously I know not to drive as fast on corners as you would on a dry road.
Imagine an eggshell under your accelerator. Creep the clutch upwards. Take everything slowly. Add a lot to your stopping distance. Ice more so than snow.My best advice is find a quiet road (industrial estates are good), especially if they have a hill and practice - what does it feel like when the brakes lock up on snow / ice? If you have enough space, what does it feel like when you turn too fast and it under steers?
It's all about feel and experience, find somewhere safe to practice, dont take the piss with endless handbrake turns, etc and you'll be fine.
To be a little more serious, the trick is to think about traction. You don't have anywhere near as much grip for accelerating, turning or braking so you have to be quite gentle, and above all slow. But not too slow, otherwise you won't make it up any hills because you can't accelerate much going up a slope.
Basically, go do some handbrake turns in a car park until you get the feel for it.
Basically, go do some handbrake turns in a car park until you get the feel for it.
When braking and steering keep the wheels rotating, if they are locked then you will just slide - normally in the direction you don't want to go!
Pull off in a higher gear and keep all your inputs smooth and gentle.
Once you start to relax it will come together and let's be honest, you will start doing handbrake turns and big slides because the temptation will be too much to resist!
Pull off in a higher gear and keep all your inputs smooth and gentle.
Once you start to relax it will come together and let's be honest, you will start doing handbrake turns and big slides because the temptation will be too much to resist!
maverickdrives said:
How do you drive in snow to prevent skidding on start and turning?
If it has snowed over night & your car is snowed in don't try & use loads of revs to get out of it - try second gear or let the car rock backwards & forwards & use your momentum to get out of your "hole". I do this all the time because I'm normally too lazy to clear the snow off my drive.I live on a little lane up a hill with lots of narrow bits - if I'm going down it, I'll go as slowly as I want in 1st gear if necessary & anyone behind me doesn't like it then that's just tough.
I'll also be prepared to leave the car at the bottom of the lane & walk home so I tend to keep some boots in the car.
vanordinaire said:
Just do everything as smooth as possible, no harsh braking, accelerating or direction changes. If you imagine you've got a scalding cup of coffee on your lap and drive accordingly you'll be fine.
Oh and anticipate everything.
All of the above.Oh and anticipate everything.
Also, really important to just keep moving (often quite slowly!), that way you avoid having to get going again from a standstill. Anticipation really important here, too.
Starting on a hill, even a pretty gentle one, can be a nightmare on snowy roads. If you have to, try starting off in 2nd gear with some clutch slip, less the better, then pull away very gently/slowly. (You might be awfully close to stalling if you have a small capacity engine, but moving away smoothly is possible with practice.) The objective is to avoid wheelspin and subsequent loss of traction.
Corners: low entry speed into corners is critical for snowy/frosty roads - sometimes amounts to fast walking pace on some sharp bends. If you carry too much speed into corners you'll more than likely end up taking an unplanned trip into the scenery.
Get some winter tyres! An obvious suggestion but they make a huge difference to getting around on cold and snowy roads.
I drive on 'white' roads a lot during the winter months - Scottish Highlands nr. Aviemore - with rear wheel drive BMWs.....though shod with winter tyres. Plenty of the locals get by (just!) with regular tyres but good winter driving technique.
(We had a lot of snow today.)
DO NOTHING in a hurry. learn how to counteract a skid. And buy a set of cheap carpets. If stuck, put cheap carpets under driving wheels , drive off and only stop when you can safely move on, to retrieve carpets. OH- and buy a shovel ,to dig out snow from rear wheels . Plenty of idiots with no useful advice on snow driving. One other place to learn is in a supermart car park .
maverickdrives said:
Obviously I know not to drive as fast on corners as you would on a dry road.
That's better.I have a dab of the brakes on my side road as soon as I set off, to get an idea how bad it is. Then I try to do the rest of the journey not needing my brakes at all. I cover them so the cars behind know i'm slowing, but if I actually need to use them it just proves I didn't judge how little grip was available.
Many cars have traction control now....and surprisingly a lot of people think this will help in the snow.
That's not necessarily the case. When traction is lost on snow it will adjust, but try pulling away when it does this means you have no power at the wheels. Best to disable it stick car in second gear and using clutch to use torque to pull away....this also works in rwd. One of the key things is newer tyres with more tread will have a huge effect. It's amazing the difference in snow. Above all when on the move, don't get complacent. Always give a significant distance between you and the car in front. They may be hopeless in the snow and you'll only realise when they make a horlicks out of the next bend. And gentle breaking, gear, engine management to slow down....if your in a town just prey they've cleared and gritted. A lot of its common sense, but reminds me of middle lane hog gears...there's always one that is utterly
That's not necessarily the case. When traction is lost on snow it will adjust, but try pulling away when it does this means you have no power at the wheels. Best to disable it stick car in second gear and using clutch to use torque to pull away....this also works in rwd. One of the key things is newer tyres with more tread will have a huge effect. It's amazing the difference in snow. Above all when on the move, don't get complacent. Always give a significant distance between you and the car in front. They may be hopeless in the snow and you'll only realise when they make a horlicks out of the next bend. And gentle breaking, gear, engine management to slow down....if your in a town just prey they've cleared and gritted. A lot of its common sense, but reminds me of middle lane hog gears...there's always one that is utterly
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff