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

Lum

scotsman4th wrote: »

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.

Yes, you're better off without it in snow and ice.

In my car this is achieved by pulling out a fuse.

Strider590

I tried to buy winter tyre's but nobody wanted to sell me any...... Quite infuriating that we brits go out and buy 4x4's instead of buying the correct tyre's! therefore no market = no sales = no stock.

Im changing my car battery next week even though it starts the car, It's 6 years old and I can tell it's not liking the cold weather this year. £45 for peace of mind is nothing really...... and I've already lost the radio code so nothing to lose

Using an online battery store if anyone wants to know, the local price for my car battery is over £90.

The spare is good and I check the levels every week.

I keep two large pieces of carpet in the car (can be good if your stuck in snow and need a tiny bit more grip), a shovel, a fleece jacket, decent walking boots and a good quality torch.

DKLS

Cant wait for the snow to come, low profiles switched for winter tyres, boost turned right down, ABS off and it will be Scandinavian flick heaven, sideways at 20pmh great fun
Am so grateful for the driving course I did in Finland when I worked out there, it really paid off last year.

flyingscotno1

Strider590 wrote: »

I tried to buy winter tyre's but nobody wanted to sell me any...... Quite infuriating that we brits go out and buy 4x4's instead of buying the correct tyre's! therefore no market = no sales = no stock.

Amazingly the much maligned Kwik Fit have started doing winter tyres. Not a lot, but fair play and if it increases use and people click on summer and winter.

Personally I want all seasons and think I'll take 4 new ones- I have 2 rears with a lot of tread but....

pulliptears

I had the last laugh on OH yesterday at 7.30am. I'd told him on Sunday to buy De Icer, "Won't need that yet!" he says. Cue me revelling in "I told you so" yesterday morning as he desperately tried to de-ice with aired water. lol

Lum

Well after a bit of research I think I'm going to go with the Nokia WR G2, just not sure which size to go for

My summer wheels run 225/50/16, and the car alignment is set up for these but I can also fit 205/55/16. My winter wheels are a 7" width and I'm not sure if my summer wheels are 7" or 7.5"

The 205's are a fair bit cheaper as they are 94H wheras the 225s are 96V, my car only actually needs 91H anyway

The questions are: will 225 fit on my 7" rims, will going to 205 !!!!!! up my alignment and given I'm buying proper snow tyres, is it better to go wider or narrower?

Jeff_Bridges_hair

Im taking the train

Inactive

hartcjhart wrote: »

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

Spot on, they should be carried here in the UK as well.

Along with 2 reflective triangles.

The UK is so far behind on these low cost potential life savers.

motorguy

ventureuk wrote: »

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.

+1

A cheap set of rims from a scrap yard and a set of winter tyres - worth every penny if you can at all afford it. From memory i think they are more effective than regular tyres at something like below 10 degrees, so you could benefit from them November - > March.

motorguy

Inactive wrote: »

Spot on, they should be carried here in the UK as well.

Along with 2 reflective triangles.

The UK is so far behind on these low cost potential life savers.

+1

all of which can be bought for buttons on ebay...