Let it snow, Let it snow, Let it snow...

_Kaiser_

So this morning I wake up to find the car covered in a lovely white blanket of snow and the ground around it a mixture of slush.

Lucky for me though I had winter tyres fitted all round back in November (the guy looked at me a bit weirdly at the time - who's laughing now huh? *ahahaha - slightly crazed tone*)

Unfortunately what I failed to allow for this morning is all the nervous nellies driving on part-worn/bald tyres or just afraid of the right pedal completely in even a hint of the white stuff! :mad: Result.. dawdling along at 20/30 km/h and then indignantly flashing headlights when I overtake (EDIT: I should add I wasn't doing light-speed myself, but more or less normal urban speeds wasn't a problem)

So here's my tip of the day.. if you aren't comfortable driving in a bit of snow (and this is nothing compared to 2 years ago when I was commuting up and down the M3 in -14 conditions some days) or are too cheap to fit appropriate/decent tyres then leave the bloody car at home and get the bus! :mad:

areyawell

cute

Mar4ix

had same story couple years ago in BIG snow time, was goin late to work, n3 was blocked to m50, i finally managed get on navan (just over m50 roundabout) road goin towards city, there was few cars on left line , driving on 10 km/h .... my car had brand new winter tires, and i jumped on right line, where was nobody driving, was no any treads , and i went off... 50 km/h ... maybe more :pac: ... (actually use to such weather in native country). ... people was beeping and flashing like mad, when overtook ... make me lough :pac:

WoollyRedHat

Jaysus lads its awful, the roads have disappeared.

corktina

Fresh snow is not a lot different to driving on freshly fallen rain....theres no need to dawdle until it freezes and even then, in a straight line, you should be able to move on a bit.

Sam Kade

I am the greatest driver in snow with winter tyres thread :rolleyes:

Chippy01

Sam Kade wrote: »

I am the greatest driver in snow with winter tyres thread :rolleyes:

In before me ......
:D:D:D:D

fletch

Decided to throw my Winter wheels on last night at about 9pm after reading the forecast...good timing or what!

phasers

your 'world's greatest driver' certificate is in the post OP.

_Kaiser_

Sam Kade wrote: »

I am the greatest driver in snow with winter tyres thread :rolleyes:

Jealousy will get you nowhere!

_Kaiser_

phasers wrote: »

your 'world's greatest driver' certificate is in the post OP.

Where did I say that? I just don't see why the country has to grind to a halt with in even slightly adverse weather because certain people either can't drive in it, or aren't prepared for it.

Again, get the bus if that's you but just as we all give out about dawdlers doing 60/70 km/h on national routes, the same principle applies here.

neilthefunkeone

But if i had winter tyres i wouldnt have as much fun driving to work!

areyawell

Kaiser2000 wrote: »

Where did I say that? I just don't see why the country has to grind to a halt with in even slightly adverse weather because certain people either can't drive in it, or aren't prepared for it.

Again, get the bus if that's you but just as we all give out about dawdlers doing 60/70 km/h on national routes, the same principle applies here.

No it doesn't, Snow happens like every five or 10 years in Ireland, can't be viewed the same as everyday driving. Do you want everyone to get winter tires for the cars that they might never use or something?

Would you like a medal for having winter tires?

BobBobBobBob

[QUOTE=areyawell; Would you like a medal for having winter tires?[/QUOTE]

Nice one!

listermint

Well to be fair theres some amount of silly comments here. Fresh snow is akin to driving on rain ! silly.

Its not it lubricates the road surface and is bound together. Its more a kin to putting another surface between the road and your car.

I dont agree with driving pure silly slow but you equally have to cop on. Which is testament to the x3 seperate accidents ive seen this morning on the Belgard Road over the distance of 800meters.



Ah sure its not slippy out there (rolls eyes)

Anan1

Kaiser2000 wrote: »

Where did I say that? I just don't see why the country has to grind to a halt with in even slightly adverse weather because certain people either can't drive in it, or aren't prepared for it.

The only way to drive safely on summer tyres in freezing weather is to go so slowly as to give properly equipped drivers a complete pain in the balls. And Paddy being Paddy, rather than leaving the car at home that's exactly what he'll do.

_Kaiser_

areyawell wrote: »

No it doesn't, Snow happens like every five or 10 years in Ireland, can't be viewed the same as everyday driving. Do you want everyone to get winter tires for the cars that they might never use or something?

Actually yes. It's been well reported recently that a cold snap with ice/snow likely was about to hit the country so I don't think it's unreasonable for people to be prepared.. it's not like it just hit today out of nowhere like!

And snow is happening more and more in recent years - yes even in Ireland. We may be spared the worst of it compared to parts of Europe and the UK at the moment, but considering the panic that sets in on our roads anyway that's probably a good thing.

Would you like a medal for having winter tires?

Childish, but given similar posts of yours I've seen (your first post in this thread for example), not unexpected

areyawell

Kaiser2000 wrote: »

Actually yes. It's been well reported recently that a cold snap with ice/snow likely was about to hit the country so I don't think it's unreasonable for people to be prepared.. it's not like it just hit today out of nowhere like!

And snow is happening more and more in recent years - yes even in Ireland. We may be spared the worst of it compared to parts of Europe and the UK at the moment, but considering the panic that sets in on our roads anyway that's probably a good thing.


Childish, but given similar posts of yours I've seen (your first post in this thread for example), not unexpected

Yes because everyone can afford winter tires. We're not in a recession or anything

djimi

Have you never driven in this kind of weather in Ireland before? What else were you expecting to be met with on the roads? Its a pain in the arse, but such is life; when it snows you leave yourself plenty of time to get stuck behind those who are not confident of driving the conditions (even if the conditions are not as bad as they might think they are). If you dont like it then take the train...

Anan1

areyawell wrote: »

Yes because everyone can afford winter tires. We're not in a recession or anything

So leave the car at home when it's icy out.

djimi wrote: »

Have you never driven in this kind of weather in Ireland before? What else were you expecting to be met with on the roads? Its a pain in the arse, but such is life; when it snows you leave yourself plenty of time to get stuck behind those who are not confident of driving the conditions (even if the conditions are not as bad as they might think they are). If you dont like it then take the train...

In fairness, you could equally say the same about people blocking the overtaking lane on motorways, or any of the other motoring-related f*ckology that passes for normal in this country. I think people should be made aware of it when their selfishness and/or stupidity affects others.

Stallingrad

corktina wrote: »

Fresh snow is not a lot different to driving on freshly fallen rain....

Until you have to use the brakes. :eek:

Remind me to give you a wide berth.

_Kaiser_

areyawell wrote: »

Yes because everyone can afford winter tires. We're not in a recession or anything

Recession isn't an excuse here. How much will an accident set you back if your car isn't properly setup for the conditions?

And winter tyres aren't actually that expensive if you shop around and haggle a bit. I got Bridgestone 205/55/R16's for about 15/20 quid a piece more than the equivalent summer set.

djimi

Kaiser2000 wrote: »

Recession isn't an excuse here. How much will an accident set you back if your car isn't properly setup for the conditions?

And winter tyres aren't actually that expensive if you shop around and haggle a bit. I got Bridgestone 205/55/R16's for about 15/20 quid a piece more than the equivalent summer set.

Most people are not going to spend hundreds on a set of tires on the off chance that we might get a couple of mornings like today over the course of the winter, or that we might get a heavy snow (which lets face it happens on average once a decade if even that in Ireland). A decent set of normal tires, that are changed when they need to be changed, is more than sufficient to deal with the conditions that this country gets 95% of the time. The rest of the time you simply exercise caution.

Anan1 wrote: »

So leave the car at home when it's icy out.In fairness, you could equally say the same about people blocking the overtaking lane on motorways, or any of the other motoring-related f*ckology that passes for normal in this country. I think people should be made aware of it when their selfishness and/or stupidity affects others.

Im not saying what should be done; Im saying what happens. No point talking about ifs and buts; fact of the matter is that in this country when it snows the roads grind to a near standstill. This should not come as a surprise to anyone at this stage, and regardless of how well equiped your car is to deal with it, you need to adjust your travel time accordingly.

listermint

Lets be reasonably clear. Congrats on the snow tyres everyone should get them. But there is no snow tyres in the world that will stop your car on surface like this when something like a bit of speed and maybe a stone (slight sheet of ice) knocks your vehicle off course.

As per this video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PpWCbXU8n4w

BigEejit

And winter tyres are not just for snow, they give much improved grip over four season or summer tyres when the temperature is under 7 degrees (I think, may be a bit higher)

For the record, people in the UK are getting better at driving in the snow/ice thank god. Except for people in BMW's (infamous for poor handling in snow and ice) ... I've seen two of them going sideways over the last couple of days here in Kent.

Scartbeg

Kaiser2000 wrote: »

Recession isn't an excuse here. How much will an accident set you back if your car isn't properly setup for the conditions?

And winter tyres aren't actually that expensive if you shop around and haggle a bit. I got Bridgestone 205/55/R16's for about 15/20 quid a piece more than the equivalent summer set.

+1. And consider that you are extending the life of your "summer" tyres by swapping them for winters for 4 or 5 months. And, as has been said on here many times, these are not just for snow but provide superior grip and braking in temps below 7C. My local supplier charges €20 a time to swap the tyres around - small price to pay for peace of mind. However as pointed out, it doesn't get you far if you are stuck behind the 95% of those ill prepared for the conditions who head out regardless.

Consider that in many countries on the continent you will be held liable for an accident and insurance void if you are not properly shod.

kenmc

areyawell wrote: »

Do you want everyone to get winter tires for the cars that they might never use or something?

Hmmm last I checked, we get winter every year. Usually comes just after autumn. Not sure how they might never use winter tyres, unless we suddenly move to the tropics....

pippip

Comparing driving in newly fallen snow to normal wet weather is both ridiculous and stupid no matter what tyres you have.

Tyres are designed to disperse water and keep surface contact.
They are not designed to disperse snow/slush.

Anan1

djimi wrote: »

Most people are not going to spend hundreds on a set of tires on the off chance that we might get a couple of mornings like today over the course of the winter, or that we might get a heavy snow (which lets face it happens on average once a decade if even that in Ireland). A decent set of normal tires, that are changed when they need to be changed, is more than sufficient to deal with the conditions that this country gets 95% of the time.

Absolutely

djimi wrote: »

The rest of the time you simply exercise caution.

No! If the tyres aren't safe for the conditions then you leave the car at home. To take a car out on ice on summer tyres is at best inconsiderate to other road users, and at worst dangerous.

djimi wrote: »

not saying what should be done; Im saying what happens. No point talking about ifs and buts; fact of the matter is that in this country when it snows the roads grind to a near standstill. This should not come as a surprise to anyone at this stage, and regardless of how well equiped your car is to deal with it, you need to adjust your travel time accordingly.

You're right, it does happen. It happens because of selfish people.

bijapos

OP: You forget that you might have grip in snow for acceleration and roadholding, but your braking power in snow (even light snow) or slush is greatly affected, winter tyres or not. It's a fatal error and dangerous to think otherwise.

areyawell wrote: »

No it doesn't, Snow happens like every five or 10 years in Ireland, can't be viewed the same as everyday driving. Do you want everyone to get winter tires for the cars that they might never use or something?

Would you like a medal for having winter tires?

Winter tyres aren't just for snow, they are designed to perform better from temperatures of 7 degrees and below, so it makes sense to put on a set in Novemeber and leave them on until March.

areyawell wrote: »

Yes because everyone can afford winter tires. We're not in a recession or anything

The majority of people can, but choose not to. It makes no difference if you have two sets of tyres for four years or if you change the one set every two years, costs are the same. Most people I know pay on average €10,000 for a second hand car, but whinge when they have to pay €100 for an oil and filters service to maintain the car. They laugh at me when I pay €1500 for a car and then change the oil, filters etc every 10,000 miles, or at the fact that I have a set of winter and a set of summer tyres. A lot of people want a certain reg plate or brand name but don't want to pay for maintaining the car.

djimi

Anan1 wrote: »

No! If the tyres aren't safe for the conditions then you leave the car at home. To take a car out on ice on summer tyres is at best inconsiderate to other road users, and at worst dangerous.

Goes without saying, but unless you have studded tires nothing is going to be sufficient on proper ice. Even in the kind of snow we got 2-3 years ago I had little issue driving the main roads on the normal summer tires that were on the car. Sure if meant adjusting the speed somewhat, but I still had no issue driving at a reasonable speed.

If its very extreme then fair enough, leave the car at home, but in fairness Ireland does not normally get anything like extreme conditions for the most part. For the few occasions that we do it wouldnt kill people to exercise some bloody patience and realise that what is being faced is extraordinary conditions and to allow for it.

djimi

kenmc wrote: »

Hmmm last I checked, we get winter every year. Usually comes just after autumn. Not sure how they might never use winter tyres, unless we suddenly move to the tropics....

Does anyone seriously think that for the kind of winters we normally get in this country winter tires are in any way required? Im not saying that it is a bad idea to have them; obviously its not, but the way people are talking its almost as if they dont understand why people dont want or expect to have to shell out hundreds for a set of tires that are simply not required for the vast majority of winters in Ireland.

monkeypants

areyawell wrote: »

Yes because everyone can afford winter tires. We're not in a recession or anything

Indeed. Some people cannot even get licenced to be on the road in the first place.

Caliden

Delighted I left early for work (6.30).
The snow was just coming down when I got in so I'm glad I missed the 20km/h tailbacks

monkeypants

How much do winter tyres degrade/wear if the temperature rises over 7 degrees?

McGrath5

The snow makes people drive like retards.

Driving to work earlier, some fool in a Merc, decided to block up a roundabout on ballyboden road in Rathfarnham all because he felt like he had right of way.

I am sure this type of inconsideration was repeated many times throughout the country today.

Matt Simis

Worst thing today was the sheer slowness of people combined with the tailgatey bumper to bumper crashes waiting to happen of the slow trains. That and FWD Audi's leading said slow-trains.

Anan1

djimi wrote: »

Does anyone seriously think that for the kind of winters we normally get in this country winter tires are in any way required? Im not saying that it is a bad idea to have them; obviously its not, but the way people are talking its almost as if they dont understand why people dont want or expect to have to shell out hundreds for a set of tires that are simply not required for the vast majority of winters in Ireland.

When you buy winter tyres you're paying for the ability to drive safely in adverse conditions. That's one option, another option is to save the money and not use the car on those days when winter tyres are necessary. To argue that it's ok to drive on snow/ice on summer tyres because it only snows occasionally makes about as much sense as saying that it's ok to drive drunk as long as you go slowly and don't do it too often.

Mar4ix

i just want warn people, who drives with winter tyres, .... i have plenty experience to drive on them (not in Ireland), winter tyres doesnt hold and have same grip on road like summer tyres in summer time, so winter tyre give some grip, but not on extreme braking condition, or sharp turns. ... well, if abs is working, is possible do controllable extreme braking, but wont make you stand still straight away.

Just for people, who driving in snow with summer tyres, .... most of winter countries such thing is illegal, and if traffic police discover that car has summer tires in winter time (even if there is no snow in particular day... from nov - march) , owner heavily penalized. . ..


people who has whatever tyres, i would advice go somewhere in empty carpark, with plenty space, and try extreme braking and sharp turn... just feel the car , and see how the things work. ... even better, if have some red cones, and go around them.

langdang

Haters gonna hate Kaiser boy!
wasn't bad enough near me limerick to have any craic unfortunately

ambro25

Anan1 wrote: »

When you buy winter tyres you're paying for the ability to drive safely in adverse conditions. That's one option, another option is to save the money and not use the car on those days when winter tyres are necessary. To argue that it's ok to drive on snow/ice on summer tyres because it only snows occasionally makes about as much sense as saying that it's ok to drive drunk as long as you go slowly and don't do it too often.

Here's the third option I subscribe to.

MX-5 Mk1, 15" summer Firestones. Not a bother at all, all weeked or this morning, in 5" to 8" snow (UK, North Notts/South Yorks).

djimi

Anan1 wrote: »

When you buy winter tyres you're paying for the ability to drive safely in adverse conditions. That's one option, another option is to save the money and not use the car on those days when winter tyres are necessary. To argue that it's ok to drive on snow/ice on summer tyres because it only snows occasionally makes about as much sense as saying that it's ok to drive drunk as long as you go slowly and don't do it too often.

Or a third option is for people to show some patience and understanding on the very tiny numbers of days that we actually get extreme conditions. Of course if the conditions are too bad people should not drive unless they are properly equipped, but Id say in all my years of driving Ive only personally felt maybe once or twice at the absolute most that I couldnt drive the conditions. Sure it meant taking it handy, but this would not be an issue if people were prepared to show patience. Its probably only one or two mornings out of your entire year that it will be required (for these conditions anyway); as I said, leave the house earlier to allow for it.

antodeco

Was going into a car park today, car decides to not stop. I pull the handbrake a little, back kicks out, momentum kept me going and I spun into a parking space. I was like the Irish James Bond.

Lagoona Blue

listermint wrote: »

Lets be reasonably clear. Congrats on the snow tyres everyone should get them. But there is no snow tyres in the world that will stop your car on surface like this when something like a bit of speed and maybe a stone (slight sheet of ice) knocks your vehicle off course.

As per this video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PpWCbXU8n4w

Jesus that is shocking :eek:. That's exactly why we have to drive slowly in those conditions to keep control of the car .

Anan1

djimi wrote: »

Or a third option is for people to show some patience and understanding on the very tiny numbers of days that we actually get extreme conditions. Of course if the conditions are too bad people should not drive unless they are properly equipped, but Id say in all my years of driving Ive only personally felt maybe once or twice at the absolute most that I couldnt drive the conditions. Sure it meant taking it handy, but this would not be an issue if people were prepared to show patience. Its probably only one or two mornings out of your entire year that it will be required (for these conditions anyway); as I said, leave the house earlier to allow for it.

I don't think patience and understanding is an appropriate response to someone deliberately and wilfully choosing to delay me.

ambro25 wrote: »

Here's the third option I subscribe to.

MX-5 Mk1, 15" summer Firestones. Not a bother at all, all weeked or this morning, in 5" to 8" snow (UK, North Notts/South Yorks).

Driving home drunk generally works out fine too.

djimi

Anan1 wrote: »

I don't think patience and understanding is an appropriate response to someone deliberately and wilfully choosing to delay me.

Yet your response is to leave the car at home, which for a lot of people means not leaving the house? Youre not the only car on the road you know; in extreme conditions its up to everyone to adjust their driving and travel time accordingly. Youre going to be delayed; get used to the idea and leave yourself enough time to allow for it. If you dont like that fact then leave your own car at home and catch the train.

ambro25

Anan1 wrote: »

Driving home drunk generally works out fine too.

I think your analogy is running out of steam

Don't knock them until you've tried them

Fully TUV approved, the AutoSock has been shown to be about 8 per cent more effective than snow tyres and around 20 per cent more effective than normal summer tyres on ice and slush.

BigEejit

Lagoona Blue wrote: »

Jesus that is shocking :eek:. That's exactly why we have to drive slowly in those conditions to keep control of the car .

Shocking indeed. But who knows why that happened? Maybe he was on summer tyres? maybe he fell asleep? maybe he got a puncture? maybe he was a serial killer with his next victim in the back who managed to get his hands on the steering wheel?

Sound like daft reasons? so is blaming it on ice

Chris_Heilong

Not a spec of snow or ice around Dublin 5, didn't even think it was that cold until I reached D4 and saw all the cars covered in the white stuff.

awec

This post has been deleted.

Matt Simis

ambro25 wrote: »

I think your analogy is running out of steam

Don't knock them until you've tried them

Socks arent comparable to "snow tyres" (Winter Tyres) as they arent the same type of product at all, they are an emergency tool, like an automated grip pad etc. Your quote comparing their effectiveness is misleading as you can drive on dry hard ground on Winters, normal speed range on Winters and Winters last similar life to regular tyres. None of these things is true for Snow Socks.

awec wrote: »

I got the luas to work today though, purely because I didn't want it to end up snowing more this afternoon and my commute home taking a few hours. The roads this morning were moving grand from what I saw.

Hmm, guess from the Luas thats might have looked that way.

One guy (red 2011 A6) held up 15 (if not more) cars for 1.5hrs from Trim to the M3 driving at 35kph the entire way (40km?). Absolute retard, great example of the "drive as slow as you want cos its safe" selfishness thats being promoted as acceptable above.

Then got to the M3 and spent an hour there (to move just 3km) in 3 lane bumper to bumper traffic for no apparent reason. Made worse when a taxi decided to try skip 80cars by driving in the lay-by which opened the "its ok now" floodgates to another 20cars.