Tips for Driving in the Snow
- Thread starter Lee Barner
- Start date
Register to hide this ad
Not far from wrong, IMO.
When I hit my lottery, I'm buying a winter condo in Key West.
Aside from killing mosquitos & flies, I see no benefit whatsoever from cold weather. None.
When I hit my lottery, I'm buying a winter condo in Key West.
Aside from killing mosquitos & flies, I see no benefit whatsoever from cold weather. None.
You could also go north. I am north of the 45TH parallel and it's been a couple of years since I've had to drive in the snow. Something about being close to an ocean helps keep the temps pleasant.
Rookies... 
As a lifelong resident of Michigan, driving in snow isn't a big deal.
Buy a 4x4 with all weather tires.
Keep your gas tank at least half full.
Thoroughly clear your windows and mirrors.
Slow down.
Maintain extra space from other vehicles.
Allow increased stopping distance and avoid sudden moves.
Slow down...
Icy roads are a problem.
Stay home until the salt trucks make main roads passable. Then follow the above tips for driving in snow.
As a lifelong resident of Michigan, driving in snow isn't a big deal.
Buy a 4x4 with all weather tires.
Keep your gas tank at least half full.
Thoroughly clear your windows and mirrors.
Slow down.
Maintain extra space from other vehicles.
Allow increased stopping distance and avoid sudden moves.
Slow down...
Icy roads are a problem.
Stay home until the salt trucks make main roads passable. Then follow the above tips for driving in snow.
It's 63 here in Salome, AZ. If it gets much colder we might have snow. 
VaTom
Member
Live in SW Va. expecting ice/snow tomorrow. Our BIG snows come from a stream of southern moisture coming up and meeting cold air. Not this time.This shouldn’t be too bad if we don’t get toomuch ice.
Honed my winter driving skills as a street cop back in the 1970s. No 4x4 Explorer police cars then, just rear wheel drive sedans. If it got bad enough we put on chains Ugh! Hated driving on chains so took them off at earliest time the roads got a little clearer. Never had a problem.
Honed my winter driving skills as a street cop back in the 1970s. No 4x4 Explorer police cars then, just rear wheel drive sedans. If it got bad enough we put on chains Ugh! Hated driving on chains so took them off at earliest time the roads got a little clearer. Never had a problem.
Last edited:
I'd stop about there. I'm just 10 miles north of 49 and 50 miles inland. This was Jan.17/24. Five days before it was 0ºF. At my gf's place in Bellingham WA it went down to 2º.
Attachments
Rookies...
As a lifelong resident of Michigan, driving in snow isn't a big deal.
Buy a 4x4 with all weather tires.
Keep your gas tank at least half full.
Thoroughly clear your windows and mirrors.
Slow down.
Maintain extra space from other vehicles.
Allow increased stopping distance and avoid sudden moves.
Slow down...
Icy roads are a problem.
Stay home until the salt trucks make main roads passable. Then follow the above tips for driving in snow.
THIS. It’s easier to maintain control than it is to regain control.
BTW, it’s a good idea to carry blankets, a shovel (or two), and a tow strap.
Last edited:
- Joined
- Feb 9, 2006
- Messages
- 3,526
- Reaction score
- 6,189
Rookies...
As a lifelong resident of Michigan, driving in snow isn't a big deal.
Buy a 4x4 with all weather tires.
Keep your gas tank at least half full.
Thoroughly clear your windows and mirrors.
Slow down.
Maintain extra space from other vehicles.
Allow increased stopping distance and avoid sudden moves.
Slow down...
Icy roads are a problem.
Stay home until the salt trucks make main roads passable. Then follow the above tips for driving in snow.
Well put. Number 4-7 are the key. 4WD helps you get going and keep going but it doesn't help you stop and doesn't do much for your steering unless you practice at it.
Just because last August somebody put up a 70MPH speed limit sign doesn't mean it is safe to go that fast in a January snow storm. Michigan used to have a "basic speed law" which said the same thing. If you can't stop in the
assured clear distance you are speeding.
Last edited:
I've found that 9-10 degrees above the equator is just about right. That would be Panama in this quadrant. No snow plows or salt trucks.
Ivan the Butcher
Member
I had a problem with my 4x4 sliding on ice during our famed "Blizzard of '78"! The next year I did an experiment to prove that you can drive and stop on ice with a little preparation.
I the fall I bought 4 new Mohawk Mud & Snow tires (TUBE TYPE) 7.00x 15 LT. I bought a box of 3/8 #8 screws with 1/4" hex heads. In January of 1979 I put one screw in every hole for an ice stud. I had also bought two pair of chains with "Ice Bars" (something like a cold chisel across each link on the traction chain). That is why I went with tub type tires, in case they caused leaks, just replace the tubes and their 125 little holes.
The experiment conditions were an empty parking lot in an apartment complex. Freeze and Thaw had left us with 4.5 to 5.5 inches of solid ice.
I placed the K-5 Blazer in 4 wheel-Low Lock and punched the gas. In less than one apartment building's length, I was doing 25 to 30 MPH! I slammed on the brakes and came to a sudden stop. I had my seat belt on and that (and the steering wheel) was all that saved me from going through the wind shield! I got out and measured the "Skid Marks" in the Ice. 4 foot 8 inches long, by 4 1/4 inches deep at the end of travel!
I removed the chains and used my "Studs" for about the next 100 miles on both icy and clear roads. The Hex Heads were worn down by about half. (I had no trouble removing them!) The chains I kept for the next 20 years, and used on the next vehicle (a 1979 4x4 Suburban). When that truck rusted away in '99, the chains went with it to the scrap yard.
Some form of studs will allow you to STOP ON ICE. But I don't really recommend screws for daily driving!
Ivan
I the fall I bought 4 new Mohawk Mud & Snow tires (TUBE TYPE) 7.00x 15 LT. I bought a box of 3/8 #8 screws with 1/4" hex heads. In January of 1979 I put one screw in every hole for an ice stud. I had also bought two pair of chains with "Ice Bars" (something like a cold chisel across each link on the traction chain). That is why I went with tub type tires, in case they caused leaks, just replace the tubes and their 125 little holes.
The experiment conditions were an empty parking lot in an apartment complex. Freeze and Thaw had left us with 4.5 to 5.5 inches of solid ice.
I placed the K-5 Blazer in 4 wheel-Low Lock and punched the gas. In less than one apartment building's length, I was doing 25 to 30 MPH! I slammed on the brakes and came to a sudden stop. I had my seat belt on and that (and the steering wheel) was all that saved me from going through the wind shield! I got out and measured the "Skid Marks" in the Ice. 4 foot 8 inches long, by 4 1/4 inches deep at the end of travel!
I removed the chains and used my "Studs" for about the next 100 miles on both icy and clear roads. The Hex Heads were worn down by about half. (I had no trouble removing them!) The chains I kept for the next 20 years, and used on the next vehicle (a 1979 4x4 Suburban). When that truck rusted away in '99, the chains went with it to the scrap yard.
Some form of studs will allow you to STOP ON ICE. But I don't really recommend screws for daily driving!
Ivan
JET4
Member
My best snow driving is looking out my house window. I'm retired.When I worked my boss would come get me because he knew I wouldn't drive in the snow.
S&WshooterFIN
Member
Winter & snow, I love it, my car love it
Lifted VW Vanagon syncro, 32" tires, 1.9 TDI, both diff locks
We need more snow
Last edited:
Ivan the Butcher
Member
I love your location tag: "East Front Line of NATO"! I'm sure the winter driving is "Very interesting!"
Ivan
More snow, less Russians.
Oldengineer
Member
Call in to work and claim that you are stuck. Everyone understands. Open safe, and begin “work“ on the favorite piece! Never let a good snow storm go to waste.
The best advice is to... don't, stay at home. Even though you may be well prepared and experienced with driving in snowy conditions, the other guy will still get you.
John
John
I'm putting the street equipment (fenders,lights etc) back on my car so I can enjoy it on the roads this spring..Maura Healey be damned. It will be nice to drive to the track without having to trailer it.
No snow action with my slicks though..
Those Ariels are incredible machines. I would lean to the Nomad, though.
