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

fivetide

Gloomendoom wrote: »

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.

According to my twitching backside and numerous other Subaru owners, the ABS gets very tangled up when conditions become slippy and kicks in way too early. Much better to do it yourself.

I have no idea why it would be better to take it off in deep snow, the issues I personally experienced were with very slick, icy conditions.

Arfa__

Other factors could be:-
Temperature of tyres. If you're watching someone whose been driving sold for an hour, they'll have a bit more grip than you just pulling away from cold.
Other cars with traction control, subtly changing the speed of each wheel independently.
Are you driving on the exact same spot of road as the other cars you've seen? They may have spotted less icy spots, better gritted patches, clear tracks etc.

Driving tips:
Pull away in 2nd, gradually. If you start to spin, ease off, never floor it expecting more movement...
Slow down well ahead of junctions, using engine braking as much as possible. Lest you can't stop before the line.
If you need to head up an incline/drive/kerb, try to take a run up and aim to maintain a steady momentum the whole way up. Even if this means letting the car in front go on ahead to give you a nice gap.
Slow down in general, look for hazards well in advance, you may not be able to stop in an emergency.
Practice on a quiet snow covered car park. Get used to slamming brakes on and the ABS kicking back. Too many people panic when they first feel it and take their foot off the brake....

vikingaero

the_pink_panther wrote: »

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!

Most Michelin tyres for standard Corsas and Astras are probably Energy or Primacy versions which are optimised for ultra high mileage and low rolling resistance = low grip.

GolfBravo

the_pink_panther wrote: »

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!

Michelin Primacy HP by any chance?

They are absolutely useless in snow - very good summer tyre, excellent durability, but the rubber compound gets really hard in cold temperatures, hence no traction.

gord115

I've fitted winter tyres to my wife's car.
The difference is unbelievable.
I came home at 6am on Monday after a night shift and cars were getting stuck.
I just drove round them,no problem.

Mayflower10cat

Friend in the village has just bought some 'snow socks' (???) for his Audi - said they were well worth it.

C_Mababejive

I used to have a Mk3 golf and it was rock solid in the snow and couldnt be provoked to skid. Front wheel drive.Snow socks are only to get you out of trouble not for long term wear.

SCO

It will be your traction control (linked with the ABS) that stop's you taking off as it kills power to the wheels it feels losing traction.

You may be able to turn it off, however it is not completely off though it does help.

foxymum1977_2

my car is too awful in the snow! i have a Vauxhall Vectra SRI with quite wide tyres, perhaps the tyres as someone said are the problem! it just slips and slides everywhere!! unless its my driving!

DUTR

SCO wrote: »

It will be your traction control (linked with the ABS) that stop's you taking off as it kills power to the wheels it feels losing traction.

You may be able to turn it off, however it is not completely off though it does help.

Yep, some cars you can, my Golf you can turn it 'off' ESP it is labelled as, but some cars ASR, once deactivated, the car dives as if there is little or no snow/ice about, my tyres at the momement are budget brands, and are 225 wide.