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

fivetide

Gloomendoom wrote: »

All well and good, but for the average driver, turning off the ABS is a daft thing to do. Disabling by pulling the fuse may also invalidate insurance, it would certainly result in an MoT fail if tested in that condition.

I agree. Given that most people struggle to control a vehicle in normal conditions they need all the help they can get. That's why these things were invented. However, it doesn't mean they work brilliantly in all conditions which is the point. To keep arguing otherwise as Richard did is just wrong.

As I say, i have never had a car use it's ABS on me in normal driving. Far too many people pass a test and are convinced that is all there is to it. I would agree with others, it's time that we did like Germany and others to get reductions in insurance for putting winter tyres on for set months of the year.

As for the last bit, it may, it may not. It would fail an MOT now as a warning light would be on. I would suggest if you knew how to do this in the first place, you might be sharp enough to replace the fuse if you happen to be unlucky enough to have a test on one of the seven days of snow we get each year.

Johnmcl7

My Octavia VRS's ABS is noticeably poorer in snow as it seems to release and engage the brakes too slowly which increases the braking distance, I don't disable the ABS as it's fairly easy to hold the brakes just before the point of locking them up and forcing the ABS to kick in.

The traction control system is very good though as it's largely hands off until it's really needed whereas I've seen seem other systems which kick in far too soon and really hinder the car in poor conditions which is why I assume some people get stuck. Despite the wide low profile sports tyres neither the Octavia or the previous and similar Seat have got stuck in the snow yet.

John

red_eye

bsms1147 wrote: »

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

ABS will not do anything on snow.

it down to tyres, drive type+ weight.

rwd has no chance no matter what tyres, unless you load the boot with paving slabs.
fwd and 4wd has a chance with narrow tyres with widely spaced blocks.

Audi's should be good as they have the weight of the engine in front of driven axle

tberry6686

rwd has no chance no matter what tyres, unless you load the boot with paving slabs.
fwd and 4wd has a chance with narrow tyres with widely spaced blocks.

Sorry Red Eye but that is complete rubbish.

I drive a Jag XJR (RWD 370BHP) with M & S tyres in the winter and have never had a problem with these tyres fitted (been caught out once with the summer Pirellis on) Tyres are normal size for the car so - wide.

I'm up in the NE of Scotland so we normally get more snow than most of the UK.

Driving in this weather is down to 2 things only. Tyres and Driver

neilmcl

red_eye wrote: »

ABS will not do anything on snow.

it down to tyres, drive type+ weight.

rwd has no chance no matter what tyres, unless you load the boot with paving slabs.
fwd and 4wd has a chance with narrow tyres with widely spaced blocks.

Audi's should be good as they have the weight of the engine in front of driven axle

Absolute tosh. You've clearly never driven a RWD car with good winter tyres on then.

aileth

I have to say I think there should be some sort of leaflting or ads on tv about driving in snow/ice. This morning, between midnight and 7 am, me and OH were awoken no less than 4-5 times by different people attempting our hill (Which is just slush and a very small amount of ice!) in first gear and revving the b*llocks off it. Our car has fairly wide tyres and tends to be average to rubbish depending, OH stuck it in second gear, low revs, wiggled a bit and didn't wake anyone up!

Dukesy

Front or rear wheel drive, weight, tyres.... etc etc.

I have an A30 that I got caught out in one day when it started snowing heavily. Rear wheel drive and absolutely no weight whatsoever over the back wheels = lots of fun trying to drive uphill in snow!

Beachview_2

edwardw wrote: »

Ive got mud and snow tyres, there good in this weather,
not so good in the dry!
I wasnt sure there was a difference to those and winter tyres!
I paid around £80 per tyre for M&S tyres, are winter ones generally more?

No I've not found winter tyres to be more expensive than standard ones. Winter tyres are better than M&S ones.M&S tyres are a compromise, they will not be as good as winter tyres at this time of year. Then in the milder weather they are not as good as summer tyres.

Strider590

Width of tyres versus weight of car....... Too light, too wide and the car will just sit on top of the snow going nowhere.

Summer/winter tyres make a massive difference.
Summer tyres are hard and have grooves running front to rear for low noise, cornering grip and fuel economy. But in snow they're like a kids sled.

Winters are softer, they shed snow easily from their wide grooves, which run across the tyre for maximum forward grip and braking performance.

Summer tyres:



Little or no grip across the tyre, but great on a warm sunny day.

Beachview_2

Wig wrote: »

OP,

Tyres, standard summer tyres are ok, but ideally need a good bit of tread. If you pay out on some winter tyres they will be best, whether just 2 on your driven wheels or on all 4 wheels. Winter tyres have little lines in them called 'sips'

That is totally incorrect information. It is essential that all 4 tyres are replaced with the same sort of tyre at the same time.
The car may skid, become destabilised, or become more difficult to control if only 2 winter tyres are fitted to one of the axles.

As fitting winter tyres is considered as a 'modification', your insurance company must be informed, though they will not charge extra (see website of Association of British Insurers). If 2 winter tyres are fitted, your insurance will be invalid.