why do some cars skid in the snow more than others?

the_pink_panther_2

Just wondering, I was forced to drive out in the snowy conditions over the past few days. It appeared that my car struggled more than others on the road; If I stopped, my car would get stuck and need to be pushed when others cars didn't, my car seemed to skid more than others. My front tyres are a week old and the back are fine.

Why do some cars (not 4x4) skid more than others?

bsms1147

Combination of factors related to tyres, weight and skid-prevention systems such as ABS.

fivetide

A lot of the time it's driver ability too.

No offence OP. Just talking generally.

What car do you actually have?

the_pink_panther_2

No offence taken, I'm not the best driver, which is partly why I'm asking. Drive an Astra. If I'm stationary, I can't always accelerate away, other cars can. Just tried driving up a steep hill (had no alternative). Almost stopped near the top. The hill is known as a problem, but not everyone appeared to have such difficulty navigating it.

fivetide

What wheels has it got on? If it was 'specced up' with bigger sports alloys, chances are they are wider than the standard stuff so they'll act like snow shoes and sit the car on top of the snow rather than digging in.

I've taken the fuse out of the ABS before as well. Generally it doesn't work in snow, not too well at least. Much better to pump the pedal yourself.

Are you setting off in first or second gear? Setting off in second can be a big help.

interstellaflyer

the_pink_panther wrote: »

No offence taken, I'm not the best driver, which is partly why I'm asking. Drive an Astra. If I'm stationary, I can't always accelerate away, other cars can. Just tried driving up a steep hill (had no alternative). Almost stopped near the top. The hill is known as a problem, but not everyone appeared to have such difficulty navigating it.

I had an 06 plate Astra Estate 1.3CDTi and it was superb on snow, as said some of it is down to driver ability but wheels and tyres make a difference too, my Astra was the basic Life spec with steel wheels rather than the larger wider alloys with lower profile tyres found on higher spec models, in the last bad snow in 2010 I got up the hill to my house quite easily yet one of my neighbours had to abandon his X5 near the bottom of the hill.

Gloomendoom

fivetide wrote: »

What wheels has it got on? If it was 'specced up' with bigger sports alloys, chances are they are wider than the standard stuff so they'll act like snow shoes and sit the car on top of the snow rather than digging in.

I've taken the fuse out of the ABS before as well. Generally it doesn't work in snow, not too well at least. Much better to pump the pedal yourself.

According to motor industry tests I have seen, the only road conditions where disabling the ABS will be a benefit is deep snow and soft sand.

the_pink_panther_2

Normal Mitchelen ones. I don't know much about cars, so no sporty stuff for me- just bog standard basic parts! Thanks for tio about 2nd geer - will try it!

ian103

its down to a number of factors - used to have a BL mini that i could get anywhere in but the tyres were like bike tyres! just needed to remember to remove the front number plate or it came off. citreon BX non turbo diesel - brilliant in the snow, peugeot 405 / fiesta - rubbish but wide tyres so no surprise. Most enjoyable car in snow was a bmw - contrary to what people say I could get most places with ease and I could go play and have fun.

suspect the problem is nowadays all cars are quite nippy and geared to be so, have relatively wide tyres and too many gadgets

on a diesel try second gear and very little gas pedal and in the past this has worked for me

rdwarr

I've had some cars which are undriveable in the snow (Lexus GS300 and Jaguar Sovereign 5.3) and some that are almost a pleasure to drive (Volvo V70 and C70).

Jag was the scariest one. When cold it would try and do 25mph in Drive without pressing the accelerator and the brakes didn't always stop it! Used to have to knock it into Neutral just to slow down.

So, if you have a powerful rear wheel drive automatic with summer tyres, stay at home.

elsien

At least you got help! I got stranded this morning on black ice (my own fault as I knew it was an iffy junction where people often get stuck but chose not to go the alternative route) and not one beggar stopped to help. Despite the long line of traffic stuck behind me on a one way street.
Second gear and rocking it did the trick, but I was a tad flustered.