Tips on driving in the snow?

[andyman2487]

If you start losing control, don't panic, just let up on the throttle. I've found that any type of abrupt actions (braking, throttle, steering) will get you in trouble.

[BillBrasky]

Please set up the camcorder in the car for us. It's very entertaining to watch southerners try to drive in the snow, especially in Chicago traffic.

[gwb72tii]

never give up forward momentum going up a hill when the fucking idiot in front of you freaks and does something stupid. steer around them and wave bye bye as they look out the front windshield at you.

oh, and go find a big parking lot where yo can throw the car into some 4 wheel drifts. lots of fun

[Rocla]

Everything goes well untill you think you manage it and start to fool around and drifting.

Trust me, I've driven RWD for 15 winters and every single snowfall I must do it and end offroad. :)

[Alex Spanos]

Avoid whacking off behind the wheel.

[Charlie]

If your windshield is covered in snow, be sure to only clear enough space so that your eyes can see out the windshield. We're talking a 2 inch "box" tops. Don't worry about the back window, what's behind you is in the past. Do not exceed 12 mph, ever. Likewise, stop signs don't count when snow is on the ground. If you see another vehicle coming down the ice and snow covered road, just pull out. Snow gives other cars super-physics and allows them to stop faster. If your car starts to understeer, crank the wheel more and slam on the brakes. When you're up on a curb, just put it in reverse and floor it.

I think we've got the "Ohio Snow driving" part of your trip covered.

-Charlie

[Turf1600]

Thanks for the tips guys. Let's just pray that I don't have a r3v thread in a few hours.

[moatilliatta]

Traction is key. Tires with tread, AS will be ok. put some sandbags or centerblocks in your trunk for some extra rear traction. Id go in a parking lot and learn some of your limits.

[gazellebeigem3]

The only thing i have to add to charlies post is that you under no circumstances want to remove snow/ice from the top of your vehicle. This way, when your car warms up and you perform a panic stop, the sheet of snow slides down and covers your windshield, blinding you, and therefore creating a hilarious spectacle for others near by.

[atomic]

[gwb72tii]

If your windshield is covered in snow, be sure to only clear enough space so that your eyes can see out the windshield. We're talking a 2 inch "box" tops. Don't worry about the back window, what's behind you is in the past. Do not exceed 12 mph, ever. Likewise, stop signs don't count when snow is on the ground. If you see another vehicle coming down the ice and snow covered road, just pull out. Snow gives other cars super-physics and allows them to stop faster. If your car starts to understeer, crank the wheel more and slam on the brakes. When you're up on a curb, just put it in reverse and floor it.

I think we've got the "Ohio Snow driving" part of your trip covered.

-Charlie

QFT

[wagonizzle]

Dude just mash it and hang on.

Seriously, these are all good tips but I will add that starting in second gear is your friend. If the car has LSD you will be fine, but watch it because it will come around real easy if you give it too much throttle. Finding a parking lot to practice in is a great idea (and a lot of fun depending on who's looking). Once you get comfortable with how the car reacts on a slick surface and where the point of over/understeer is you can drive on the road with confidence. Then you will only have to worry about the rest of the idiots who didn't take the time to ask anyone these questions before they went out driving in the white stuff.

Oh and watch out for 'black ice'. This is a situation where it has been raining or snow has melted and then frozen. It freezes clear and it will fuck you in the ass without any warning. It will appear to be wet pavement but is in fact an icy sheet and you can't accelerate, brake or turn so just don't do anything until you are over it. Just keep an eye on the outside temps.

Good luck and hopefully you won't even need this advice but I think with all the responses in this thread you should be fine. Enjoy the trip!

EDIT: yeah like that video. The guy in the 5 series did a pretty good job but you know he was shitting a brick

[gwb72tii]

The only thing i have to add to charlies post is that you under no circumstances want to remove snow/ice from the top of your vehicle. This way, when your car warms up and you perform a panic stop, the sheet of snow slides down and covers your windshield, blinding you, and therefore creating a hilarious spectacle for others near by.

QFT #2

[Dave]

Or even better than the snow sliding down on your window, is when you have large sheets of snow/ice fly off your hood on to your windshield - cracking it in two.

Seriously, snow is no biggie. It is the ice that will get you.

[Holland]

I just recently had to drive snow in a RWD car for the first time. If you start to slide do not hit the brakes! and watch the clutch, engaging too fast caused me to slip a few times.