Tips on driving in ice / snow

one2one

Just thought it would be a good idea if anyone has any tips for us while driving in these weather conditions to post them up here so we can all keep safe on the roads.

One I've learned is to use my gears to slow me down, and try to keep off the brakes as much as possible.

Anyone else want to share?

tommy21

one2one wrote: »

Just thought it would be a good idea if anyone has any tips for us while driving in these weather conditions to post them up here so we can all keep safe on the roads.

One I've learned is to use my gears to slow me down, and try to keep off the brakes as much as possible.

Anyone else want to share?

If you hit black ice, steer in the direction you are skidding (should correct you) and do not slam on the brakes, instead tap them lightly and gear down.

CaptnGumption

I hear that driving in a high gear keeps the torque lower to the wheels and should lessen the risk of skidding.

MarkoC

Main tips can be found here

http://www.aaaexchange.com/main/default.asp?categoryid=3&subcategoryid=55

no1beemerfan

KEEP YOUR DISTANCE!

Seriously the amount of fools who insist on trying to mount you is unreal :mad:

fullback4glin

Is it not best to drive in a higher than normal in slippery conditions. Which decreases the revs therefore meaning the wheels will be spinning at a slower rate?

fryup

no1beemerfan wrote: »

Seriously the amount of fools who insist on trying to mount you is unreal :mad:

maybe they're gay

peasant

Treble your distances, look well ahead and drive like your pedals were made out of eggs that you must'n break.

Also avoid sharp steering movements ....anything not to loose the little traction you have

peasant

fullback4glin wrote: »

Is it not best to drive in a higher than normal in slippery conditions. Which decreases the revs therefore meaning the wheels will be spinning at a slower rate?

The wheels should always spin at the rate corresponding to your speed, regardless of what gear you're in ...otherwise your either sliding or spinning them

Using a higher gear reduces the torque at the wheels, so you're putting less power down / applying it more gently, reducing the risk over overcooking it and loosing traction.

Danbo!

How are motorways in icy conditions? I assume most are treated, have to drive Galway to Dublin tomorrow, was just gonna see how they were and adjust speed as necessary, but just wondering about people taking it too carefully vs people barrelling along at normal motorway speeds. Are both lanes usually treated?

MarkoC

I love GOOGLE

Winter conditions call for different driving tactics. Ice and Snow, Take it Slow - slower speed, slower acceleration, slower steering, and slower braking. Give yourself extra time to reach your destination safely. It's not worth putting yourself and others in a dangerous situation just to save time. The best advice for driving in bad winter weather is not to drive at all, if you can avoid it. But if you do need to drive:

• Drive with your headlights on.
• Winter road conditions often result in longer stopping distances. Drivers should allow additional room between their vehicles and others.
• Be especially careful on bridges, overpasses and infrequently traveled roads, which will freeze first. Even at temperatures above freezing, if the conditions are wet, you might encounter ice in shady areas or on exposed roadways like bridges.
• Don't pass snow plows and sanding trucks. The drivers have limited visibility, and you're likely to find the road in front of them worse than the road behind.
• Use low gears to keep traction, especially on hills.
• Avoid abrupt actions while steering, braking or accelerating to lessen the chances of losing control of the vehicle. Decrease your speed and leave yourself plenty of room to stop. You should allow at least three times more space than usual between you and the car in front of you.
• Look farther ahead in traffic. Actions by other drivers will alert you to problems and give you extra time to react.
• Don't get overconfident with four-wheel drive. It won't help you stop any faster.
• Trucks take longer to stop. Don't cut in front of them.
• Stopping on snow and ice without skidding requires extra time and distance. If you have anti-lock brakes, press the pedal down firmly and hold it. If you don't have anti-lock brakes, gently pump the pedal and brake gently to avoid skidding. If your wheels start to lock up, ease off the brake. Either way, give yourself plenty of room to stop.

If your rear wheels skid...

1. Take your foot off the accelerator.
2. Steer in the direction you want the front wheels to go. If your rear wheels are sliding left, steer left. If they're sliding right, steer right.
3. If your rear wheels start sliding the other way as you recover, ease the steering wheel toward that side. You might have to steer left and right a few times to get your vehicle completely under control.
4. If you have standard brakes, pump them gently.
5. If you have anti-lock brakes (ABS), do not pump the brakes. Apply steady pressure to the brakes. You will feel the brakes pulse — this is normal.

If your front wheels skid...

1. Take your foot off the accelerator and shift to neutral, but don't try to steer immediately.
2. As the wheels skid sideways, they will slow the vehicle and traction will return. As it does, steer in the direction you want to go. Then put it back in gear and accelerate gently.

If you get stuck...

1. Do not spin your wheels. This will only dig you in deeper.
2. Turn your wheels from side to side a few times to push snow out of the way.
3. Use a light touch on the accelerator, to ease your car out.
4. Use a shovel to clear snow away from the wheels and the underside of the car.
5. Pour sand, gravel or salt in the path of the wheels, to help get traction.

the_syco

Instead of starting from 1st gear, start using 2nd gear.

**Timbuk2**

Is it advisable to practice driving in an iced-over carpark? I have no experience when it comes to controlling the car in ice, but I'd be afraid that 'purposefully' sliding around a carpark is not the best idea.

one2one

If theres nothing around you there can't be much that can go wrong, but if there are kerbs, poles, signposts etc, I'd recommend not.

Matt Simis

**Timbuk2** wrote: »

Is it advisable to practice driving in an iced-over carpark? I have no experience when it comes to controlling the car in ice, but I'd be afraid that 'purposefully' sliding around a carpark is not the best idea.

If the car park is empty of people, trolleys and cars, then yeah, why wouldnt you practice emergency control?

peasant

**Timbuk2** wrote: »

Is it advisable to practice driving in an iced-over carpark? I have no experience when it comes to controlling the car in ice, but I'd be afraid that 'purposefully' sliding around a carpark is not the best idea.

It is a very good idea.
Not necessarily drifting like an idiot with the engine screaming and annoying the neighbours ...but to experience first hand what it feels like to loose control, to learn to "feel" your car ...when it looses traction and how to regain it.

Just be very careful that there are no posts, hidden kerbs or other obstacles in your training area, otherwise it might become very expensive

mikemac

Later in the day the roads may be ok

But mind areas which are overlooked by trees and dark or in a dip
I know on my commute that's where the ice is always last to thaw.

**Timbuk2**

Thanks! Something worth considering. Had a small skid yesterday going around a corner, but I was going very slowly so it was easy to correct. It could have been worse.

I keep imagining myself practicing driving in icy conditions and this happening

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IxGOf6hwTHI

peasant

**Timbuk2** wrote: »

I keep imagining myself practicing driving in icy conditions and this happening

Those aren't "icy conditions", those are deadly conditions.

Rule of thumb ...when you find it too slippery to walk, you shouldn't be driving either

bluefirefly

i think this post should be a sticky for motor and learning to drive section.

I have a full license but i dont think i know how to drive "properly" on ice/snow. My friends told me that when you brake, pump the brakes dont stump on it or you'll spin.
And if the roads are bad, im usually on 2nd gear.

I didnt know you should start the car on 2nd as well.And that you should gear to slow down. So thanks for mentioning~!

I was youtubing how to drive on ice, and some says that if your car has ABS you should stump on the brake,not pump it. What should i do?Does it matter? I pump my brakes

MarkoC

@ bluefirefly

No pumping if your car is with ABS.

Oh and dont rape your car with 2nd gear only.
Drive like you normally do, the most 1 gear less than usually
And if you are really scared and slow, try to keep as left as possible on the roads, so others can pass you easier

All the best

CiniO

**Timbuk2** wrote: »

I keep imagining myself practicing driving in icy conditions and this happening

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IxGOf6hwTHI

Jeysus.
That's the example of what not to do.
The driver slammed on a brakes and kept his leg on it keeping the wheels locked That's why car staretd to go down without any control.
Speed was very little, so he should have just try to steer it. Most likely he would make it easily.

And going out of the car was the most idiotic thing to do.
They could have been run over by their own car. If they stayed in, with seatbelts on, at that speed there would be no chance that anything happened to them.

teetotaller

1) don't drive 10 km/h on straight wide road - it is more dangerous for you and other cars to overtake you than if you would drive 40 km/h

2)
when you turn or when road is curved never hit the brakes when your steering wheel and wheels are not in straight position.

3) as per question above - when you brake with abs - dont pump the pedal let the car do it for you when you push the brake.

4) If you are having problems to control car on the road, let other know that you are having problems- turn emergency lights on if you are sliding off the road, or if you can't get up the hill- usually it works and other will keep good distance.

5) when you are going up the hill - don't slow down, never slow down - accelerate if road is straight. if you stop before you reach highest area you won't drive again. other will not start again too, and you may start to going back...

6)

winter tyres are not popular and quite expensive, chains are usually useless - there is not enough snow and ice on the roads to use them - instead you can get snow socks for tyres.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WYjIDvSdzHQ&playnext=1&list=PL0FC42FB6168A0259&index=12

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uE4yRQlXG2M&feature=player_embedded#!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WtBzXVbE3Rc&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nkxf7-WEMSY&feature=related

Ibought these socks only yesterday in B&Q - maybe they are not cheapest, bu they are working - 69 euro ( make sure you have the right size)


max speed 50km/h, there must be ice or snow otherwise you will damage the sock.

Victor Meldrew

Don't tailgate.

Seriously. I was negotiating the hill by the house and had a transit up my ass. really anoying if I had got stuck...

fullback4glin

teetotaller wrote: »

1) don't drive 10 km/h on straight wide road - it is more dangerous for you and other cars to overtake you than if you would drive 40 km/h

2)
when you turn or when road is curved never hit the brakes when your steering wheel and wheels are not in straight position.

3) as per question above - when you brake with abs - dont pump the pedal let the car do it for you when you push the brake.

4) If you are having problems to control car on the road, let other know that you are having problems- turn emergency lights on if you are sliding off the road, or if you can't get up the hill- usually it works and other will keep good distance.

5) when you are going up the hill - don't slow down, never slow down - accelerate if road is straight. if you stop before you reach highest area you won't drive again. other will not start again too, and you may start to going back...

6)

winter tyres are not popular and quite expensive, chains are usually useless - there is not enough snow and ice on the roads to use them - instead you can get snow socks for tyres.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WYjIDvSdzHQ&playnext=1&list=PL0FC42FB6168A0259&index=12

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uE4yRQlXG2M&feature=player_embedded#!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WtBzXVbE3Rc&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nkxf7-WEMSY&feature=related

Ibought these socks only yesterday in B&Q - maybe they are not cheapest, bu they are working - 69 euro ( make sure you have the right size)


max speed 50km/h, there must be ice or snow otherwise you will damage the sock.

That first video made me lol, hard. Some great tips though

Matt Simis

teetotaller wrote: »

winter tyres are not popular and quite expensive, chains are usually useless - there is not enough snow and ice on the roads to use them - instead you can get snow socks for tyres.

max speed 50km/h, there must be ice or snow otherwise you will damage the sock.

Winters are the same price as Summers and usually you get a size smaller than your Summers so infact cost less than most Summers.

From looking at the video I would be genuinely surprised if the Socks survive even one of the lethal, jagged edge pot holes all over our roads, now hidden by the snow and ice. The counties these Socks are designed in and for have road networks nothing like ours.

Dunmoon

Reduce the tyre pressure on all four wheels by 5psi and drive in as high a gear as possible while still driving slowly and carefully, keep the revs down and use gentle manoeuvers, most of all keep your distance from the car in front and if some idiot is on your back bumper put on your hazard flashers and failing that pull over and let them pass.

-Corkie-

Victor Meldrew wrote: »

Don't tailgate.

Seriously. I was negotiating the hill by the house and had a transit up my ass. really anoying if I had got stuck...

If you had got stuck let a roar out the window `I DONT BELIEVE IT`.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BpVME1oIIpE

MarkoC

-Corkie- wrote: »

If you had got stuck let a roar out the window `I DONT BELIEVE IT`.

LOL Brilliant ! ! !

Victor Meldrew

MarkoC wrote: »

LOL Brilliant ! ! !

Touche Corkie,

One of the enivitable quips of my username.

ANd slightly apt given the indignation that strikes me when I see thoughtless motorists making things harder for other motorists. In these conditions we should let everyone keep moving.

Tailgating does not help.

antodeco

Was overtaken by a guy in a tow truck today going through Parkwest. I was making decent enough progress considering the conditions (plus there was a car in front of me). He was doing about 80kph on an icy road. Idiot.

Anyway, took the car into the large car park. Great fun learning how to control slide. Its a lot easier than I expected. Managed to get the car fairly sideways at one point and managed to flick the car back. Might try again tomorrow!

fryup

CaptnGumption wrote: »

I hear that driving in a high gear keeps the torque lower to the wheels and should lessen the risk of skidding.

MarkoC wrote: »

I love GOOGLE

• Use low gears to keep traction, especially on hills.

so what is it to be, low or high gear?

MarkoC

fryup wrote: »

[/LIST]
so what is it to be, low or high gear?

Use low gears to keep traction, especially on hills.

In case of emergency you have no traction at all with the lower gear, its not cruizing.

peasant

just to add ...as long as the ice & snow is on the radio, in the news, on the telly or on the internet but NOT on the road in front of you would pleeeeze for the love of God and the sake of my bloodpressure put that right foot on the gas and drive faster than 40 km/ h ...pleeeze :rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:

tommy21

peasant wrote: »

just to add ...as long as the ice & snow is on the radio, in the news, on the telly or on the internet but NOT on the road in front of you would pleeeeze for the love of God and the sake of my bloodpressure put that right foot on the gas and drive faster than 40 km/ h ...pleeeze :rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:

And all ice is visible? :O

peasant

tommy21 wrote: »

And all ice is visible? :O

Let me put it this way ...when the salt spray from the oncoming traffic makes it necessary to use the windscreen wash/wipe all the time, you can be preeeeetty certain that there is no ice on the road