What are YOU doing to ensure safe driving in snow/ice

Lum

My job for this weekend. See if the second set of wheels I bought actually fit properly, and if so then take them to a tyre place for some winter tyres.

Not sure which ones to go for though, currently looking at either the Vredstein Wintrac Extreme or the Vredstein Snowtrac 3. The car being a large AWD sporty car. Also whether to go for 225 width or 205 as I can get the correct diameter to fit on my wheels with either size of tyre.

ventureuk

Just been quoted £18 each for 225 45 17s part worn winter tyres from Germany, supplied and fitted by a local family run tyre specialist.

I nearly fell off my chair, I'm calling in the morning when I can choose a matching set of four, if I can get close to 5mm then they'll be on this time tomorrow.

Time will tell if it's too good to be true.

cutandshut

I noticed, while in my Builders Merchant this morning, that they had loads of bags of rock salt. Bought a couple - they wont be around when it's icy.

hartcjhart

dont forget to keep a couple of Hi Vis vests in case of breakdown,a good law in europe that should be law here

Stigy

With regard to ABS, it's worth bearing in mind, that although it might still function correctly, because the wheels are going to lock up so soon, it'll be pumping away all too often, still making stopping a nightmare! The ABS doesn't know that the road is icy and just assumes it's a normal road in normal conditions. To be honest it's catch 22, as ABS in the snow and ice is just as bad as no ABS in the snow and ice, therefore it would be a pointless task having ABS that knows what the road conditions are like! (there isn't this already is there? lol).

Much the same with traction control systems or TCS, as there's NO grip on an icy road, the system, although regulated alot of the time unlike ABS, is still only going to put enough power to the wheels that it thinks it needs to, and with no grip, it's a recipe for disaster! Soz if all this has been said!

tomstickland

If you lose traction on a corner then get the clutch down and keep steering.

This works really well.
Last year I was driving at about 20mph along the road to the rubbish tip. I was braking as I approached a 90 degree bend when I hit some ice and felt that sensation of speeding up as I looked into the hedge. I got the clutch down and the car pulled round the bend like it was on rails.

Lum

Found a German test of winter tyres here [Google Translate Link]

Looks like the Michelin Alpin A4 are the ones to go for if they're available in your size. Think I'll order a set of 4 to put on my cheapo wheels. £101 each on mytyres for 205/55/16 and should last me through a lot of winters. Haven't shopped around yet.

anewman

A bit of RWD fun in the snow http://www.youtube.com/user/jamesmayvideos#p/u

Rolandtheroadie

Stigy wrote: »

With regard to ABS, it's worth bearing in mind, that although it might still function correctly, because the wheels are going to lock up so soon, it'll be pumping away all too often, still making stopping a nightmare! The ABS doesn't know that the road is icy and just assumes it's a normal road in normal conditions. To be honest it's catch 22, as ABS in the snow and ice is just as bad as no ABS in the snow and ice, therefore it would be a pointless task having ABS that knows what the road conditions are like! (there isn't this already is there? lol).

I'd mentioned ABS being no advantage last year in a thread and was told something along the lines of I wasnt using it right.
Wee bit research shows in snowy or icy conditions or even with a loose road surface (gravel) ABS can actually increase stopping distances.

Coveredinbees!!!!

Staying in bed when I wake up and the world has gone white