Snowpocalypse now

Lum

Yup, it's that day again, first snowfall (where I live) and the idiots are out in force. Here's some handy tips so you don't join them. As always constructive criticism and additional tips are welcome.

1. Before setting out, clear the snow off your car, that includes the roof. Otherwise you'll be driving around spraying snow everywhere, and there is a good possibility that it may come off in one lump onto the person behind who will probably then drive into the back of you. Technically you can also be prosecuted for driving with an unsecured load if you drive around with an enormous lump of snow on your roof
   Pay particular attention to your lights!
2. Driving style: Smooth and steady is the key here, don't suddenly mash the brakes or accelerator. Keep in a higher gear than usual to set off and slow down with engine braking, not the brake pedal where possible. If you drive an auto and it has a snow button then use it. It may also be advisable to disable traction control. Check your car's manual to be certain.
3. Following distance: Don't follow at your usual distance, you probably drive too close even in the dry anyway, about 10 times the usual distance is ideal. Yes some plonker will probably pull out in front of you, just back off, they are an accident waiting to happen and you don't want to drive into the back of them when they inevitably crash into someone.
4. Driving uphill: Don't be tempted to crawl up the hill, it is important to carry enough momentum that you can make it up the hill should you lose traction. If you don't you may well come to a stop halfway up the hill and start sliding backwards.
5. Priority on hills: Some will argue that you should give way to people coming up the hill (harder to get going again if forced to stop) some will argue that you should give way to people going down the hill (harder to stop, easier to lose control if forced to do so). I say: Give way to the person who is already on the hill, let them finish, then go.
6. Following people on hills: Don't be tempted to follow someone uphill as normal. If they're a crap driver there is a good chance they will go too slowly and end up stuck, if this happens where are you going to go? will you be able to drive across the unploughed bit and go around them or are you going to have to stop and wait for them to slide into you?
   For downhill similar applies, if the person in front has to stop for any reason will you to able to?
7. BMWs and other RWD cars: If you're going to use a pair of snowsocks or chains, they go on the back wheels. This includes the 1-series but not the new Mini.
8. 4x4s: 4 wheel drive will make it easier to set off in the snow compared to an otherwise identical 2 wheel drive vehicle but other than that your car is no more capable than anyone else's. All* cars have 4 wheel braking and your car is heavier than most so you are actually more likely to lose traction when trying to brake or steer, again engine braking is the way to go. For bonus point the wide low profile tyres fitted to many prestige models are actually worse in the snow than narrower cheaper ones, so don't be surprised if the P reg Ford Ka in front of you can stop faster and corner better. If you like you can rest assured that that Ka will probably have rotted away by the end of the winter. Obviously if you're driving a Land Rover Defender with big nobbly tractor tyres this post doesn't apply to you, but if you have a Defender you probably know what you're doing anyway.

Lastly, and a little naughty, if you have the time find a suitable car park, which is to say one that isn't full of bollards, get out there in your car and go and have a good slide around in the snow. Drive up to speed and try different levels of braking to see when the car loses traction and skids. Throw it into a corner at various speeds to see how far you can push it before it just slides in a straight line. Have fun but also learn how your car handles in this safe environment. Note that if you're under 25, drive a car with visible modifications, or have some other characteristic that means the police give you extra hassle, you might want to avoid doing this as they are unlikely to believe that you're doing this in order to be a safer driver.

epninety wrote: »

The only thing I'd add to Lums post is plan ahead, by which I mean don't just stop where you normally stop, park where you normally park, or use the roads you normally use out of habit.

If you normally park at the bottom of a hill every day, maybe today is the day to break the routine. It might make it easier for you to get going again, it might also mean it's not your car the next unfortunate crashes into.

If the 'usual' route from your house involves a slalom round parked cars, is there another road you can use just for today?

Dave_C wrote: »

• Why not clear the junk out of your garage and park the car in there! It keeps the snow off the car and it starts easier
• When setting off in snow from your garage drive in and out a few times to compress the snow so it's easier to get back in.
• Drive round with a full tank of fuel. The extra weight gives you that extra bit of grip on the rear wheels. And if you get stuck it will keep you warmer for longer.

anotherbaldrick wrote: »

And don't forget to go to the loo before you set off . You could be a long time in confinement.

*Obviously not the Reliant Robin and other cars with other than 4 wheels.

DCFC79

Some very good points there, only thing I can add is to maybe compile a survival kit as per the bbc site here.

Ive just gone out removed the ice I could from the windscreen and roof so dotn need to do it tomorrow morning.

Wig

I didn't read them yet, but it's ok for you with your 4 wheel drive
Do you have to go to work today Lum? I got the day off due to snow :j
Is it a Datsun ZX that you have? Got your snow tyres on?
How deep is it up there? We got 4 inches in Ponty.

Lum

I work from home permanently now, but my GF has gone to work (in Gloucester) in her 250bhp Nissan 200SX with snow tyres on. I still went out for the hell of it this morning.

It's a Nissan Cefiro SE-4 that I have, yes it has the snow tyres on.

4 inches here in Pwllmeyric, and still snowing. Worst part was getting to the end of the single track lane I live on.

Apparently only one lane of the M48 is ploughed and none of the M5 is. Apparently people also get quite upset at being overtaken by a woman in an RWD car driving in the unploughed lane, though some pull out, attempt to follow and quickly give up.

The tyres do make a hell of a difference, but it's a bit late to bang on about that in this thread.

RichardD1970

Very good post, thank you. Especially like points 7 and 8 and the bit about under 25s :rotfl:

If only more people would bother to learn how to handle these conditions!

The only questions I have is about disabling the Traction Control, why is it advisable? My latest car has ESP (I have never had any sort of traction control before) so should I turn it off? Can't check the manual as it is in car with wife at work.

Lum

A lot of traction control systems just don't understand how to work in snow, and will be constantly trying sending the power to different wheels, applying the brakes randomly and generally not helping.

What you don't want is for your traction control to start doing this while you're going uphill at 20mph as it could be the difference between making it to the top or not.

It's impossible for me to say whether this applies to your car or not, maybe search online or check the owners forum?

Gloomendoom

Lum

I'm more puzzled by the suggestion to disable 4wd than by the silly typo.

neilmcl

Lum wrote: »

I'm more puzzled by the suggestion to disable 4wd than by the silly typo.

Whilst 4WD can get a vehicle moving in snow it doesn't help you stop and can sometimes be a hinderence trying to slow down on a hilly, icy surface. Perhaps this is the reason for their advice? I'm no expert in 4wd so it could well be totally bad advice, probably typical from Fox News.

GolfBravo

Lum wrote: »

[*]4x4s: 4 wheel drive will make it easier to set off in the snow compared to an otherwise identical 2 wheel drive vehicle but other than that your car is no more capable than anyone else's. All* cars have 4 wheel braking and your car is heavier than most so you are actually more likely to lose traction when trying to stop or steer. For bonus point the wide low profile tyres fitted to many prestige models are actually worse in the snow than narrower cheaper ones, so don't be surprised if the P reg Ford Ka in front of you can stop faster and corner better. If you like you can rest assured that that Ka will probably have rotted away by the end of the winter. Obviously if you're driving a Land Rover Defender with big nobbly tractor tyres this post doesn't apply to you, but if you have a Defender you probably know what you're doing anyway.
[/LIST]

Earlier today, along my 6-mile return trip, I saw 4 smashed cars (all separate single-car accidents) all due to losing traction around bends: 1 Vx Omega, and 3(!) BMW X5 with those flashy extra wide tyres.

Some people obviously think that their cars will do the driving for them, and all you need is just lots of £££.

neilmcl

And people say winter tyres are a waste of time in this country!