I hate to drive in the snow! What are the best techniques for driving when it is snowing?

Question

I hate to drive in the snow! What are the best techniques for driving when it is snowing?

Answer 1

Simple things to remember...slow down, leave plenty of room if you're following another vehicle, scan as far ahead as you can so you can react if the cars ahead of the car you're following get into trouble you are already responding to the problem, and keep looking at the road for possible changes in the surface. Oh...one more thing...clean that damned snow and ice off all your windows and lights. I hate it when people don't do that...grrrrrrr !!!!!!!

Answer 2

prepare the car the best way you can.

Carry your spare keys in an inner pocket with you.

Carry a small shovel, a  thermos flask of fresh boiling hot water ( not a beverage)  Empty rubber hot water bottle and some beverage making material instant hot chocolate is a good idea. Some high calorie candy boiled sweets are best and a bar of nut brittle or similar ( something you wouldn't normally eat). A length of rope and two rolled up lengths of old carpet just wider than the tyres ( tires) A bag of sand ( ballast and traction).  Old Hoover suction hose.A warm thick jacket preferably fourescent, if you are in the UK most sports shops sell these as do halfords and the DIY building supplies and gloves. A folded up cardboard groceries box, the bigger you get the better. and Finally a first aide kit ( you should have one) and your mobile phone.

If an automatic ( one without a clutch) two pedal transmission put the shifter into D2 and leave it there. If a manual ( american stick shift) with a clutch you will need to use first to move off then shift into second as soon as you are moving however slowly and try to keep it there.

DON'T USE THE FOOTBRAKE unless nearly stationary. control speed by releasing the throttle/ accelerator pedal. Controlled braking can be achieved using the hand brake ( emergency brake in a USA) not Park.

Keep all actions slow and purposeful, plan what you want to happen before attempting. Don't use massive amounts of pedal (gas) slow application and release if the car doesn't move.

Use cardboard to support you and lay on the ground to keep the chill off you.  shovel  debris from the wheels and from under the body. feed the strips of carpet under the driving wheels and tie to the rear  using the rope giving about half a cars length of slack. Sprinkle  sand / gravel on the surface. retain cardboard unless to soiled to use again. careful application of the pedal ( gas) will draw the carpet under your wheels giving traction, once moving the rope will pull the carpet along behind you so you don't have to stop until you get on to clear asphalt, where you can recover it with ease.

Frozen locks use the boiling water a small amount at a time in the hot water bottle to warm the offending area, do not pour boiling water onto the frozen lock as this will melt the ice penetrating the lock further and the cold metal will cause it to refreeze, better to warm the key against the hot waterbottle repeatedly and keep trying it in the lock, also the retained heat will warm your hands body etc.. ONLY discard the water when it is below body heat as any degree of warmth can be useful.

If you run out of traction always go back the way you came as you are only ever one cars length away from traction.

If ascending a steep hill try doing so in reverse. 1 the gearing is lower and provides more traction. 2 the car is less likely to fish tail, 3 if rear wheeled drive you are not smothering those who push you in slush and you can see and hear them better. 4 If you were to get stuck decending under full control is so much easier, NEVER abandon your car on an incline as snow ploughs and recovery are heavier and trying to avoid your car just complicates matters find someones drive and applogise for the inconvenience.

If caught in a  short queue of traffic exit your car leave in PARK with the brake applied Neutral if stick shift and leave engine running  and lights on ( lock using your spare key) and put your coat gloves  on and go to assist if you can your assistance could be the essential part of a long chain of events, you will be grateful of the warmth on your return.  but if you are forced to abandon it  turn off lock it and leave it.

The hoover hose is there for extreme emergencies. exhuast gas is warmer than the snow and ice and with the engine running you can use this on the vehicles exhaust to direct warm air onto the road tyres or frozen parts to help thaw them.

Should you be stuck in  deep snow a blocked exhaust can cause the engine to stall more than the supposed lack of air  so use the hose to extend the exhaust above the level of the snow..Also exhaust fumes are heavier than air and in enclosed spaces if stuck you will succome to them. use the hose to get the fumes as far away from the vehicle as possible to reduce this Also the "plume" will help rescuers locate you should it be necessary.

If caught in heavy snow or drift keep engine running as long as possible and keep your lights on as long as the engine is running, Keep the radio on a local station and  listen to updates keep hydrated and drink more than you eat, don't eat if you don't have any fluids to drink (be prepared to drink from your hot water bottle, how ever disgusting this appears)

Eat high calorie foods that are easy to digest boiled sweets and things to suck are better than chocolate or high protein foods. Stay with your vehicle as long as possible to aide rescue. If you leave your vehicle stay on the highway do not attempt to cross open unknown teritory to a visible light in the distance. you may be crossing dangerous terrain. Stick to the roads as every property will have a track drive or a sign on the highway, you also increase your chances of recovery. Above all do not panic.

Answer 3

Drive slow, watch not only what your doing but what everyone else is doing.  Most cars now are equipped with an ABS brake system and negates the need for pumping your brakes, but if your car does not have ABS brakes then most def pump brakes rapidly vs just braking solid.  If for some reason the vehicle starts to spin always turn the front wheels in the direction that that the rear end is.  This will help you straighten the car out.  Most of all drive slow and be aware of all your surroundings.

oh yea, tires chains are a good idea as well. for snow, will not help on ice, but if your driving on ice...GET OFF!

Answer 4

i go about 20 miles an hour, pump my brakes before i stop and use common sense, in it looks dangerous , dont do it, also if you hit  ice, go about 20 and hold your hands on the wheel

Answer 5

take a taxi

Answer 6

powerslide!! oh yeah...

NO dont shift into a lower gear to brake that will cause your rear wheels (if rear wheel drive) to skid. always use your brakes to slow down because your brakes affect ALL your wheels instead of just 2 if you shifted into a lower gear. Plus if you have ABS the brakes do most of the work for you and your brakes are a lot more consistant

Answer 7

just use the regular safty instructions and that will lower the chance a little

wen u drive slow the easier it will be to brake so then u wont skid or go off course so dont drive to fast

Answer 8

Drive slowly.

Buy chains. Learn how to use them. Cables are easier to install then chains, but chains are more effective. Pay extra to have them installed at the shop or on the side of the road.

Do not try to drive through snow that is deeper than the bottom of your vehicle.

Pay attention to the No Parking signs. You do not want your vehicle to be parked in the way of snow removal machines.

Know how to get out of a slide. Carry tow straps with you in case you need to be pulled out of a snow bank or a large pile of snow.

Carry a shovel with you at all times. Even if you can drive in the snow, other people may get stuck in front of you. Be prepared to help dig someone out of the snow.

Answer 9

what about tire chains. that would give you the traction that you need. find out if your vehicle has anti lock brakes, if it does, then thats good, if it does not, then never lay on your brakes, always pump the pedal, and try to brake by going into lower gear, if if you drive an automatic, you can still shift into 3 or 2 or 1 gear, from D setting.

Answer 10

put salt at the cars wheel it will lower the melting point of the ice.

Answer 11

be sure to put snow tires on your car, and take it easy when you drive. the best techniques it all depends the kind of car you have is it front or rear wheel drive or do you have a 4x4,

manual shift or automatic.

different cars, different best techniques

maybe this helps: steer in the direction you're going, this helps when your in a slide.