HELLO!

Writing to you from the far far north, well o.k not so far just Calgary, Canada. I've been driving for many years, and I'm actualy what you would consider a professional driver and the best advice I can give you is that snow tires are totally a waste of money.

They actualy cause more problems the minute you are not on snow and ice as their point of friction is reduced. Hence I would recomend really good all seasons that are rated for snow and mud. That's the catch some are rated for something like rain and mud, make sure they are snow too.

I drive long distances through blinding snow storms to get to work, in my 1996 Saab 900s the Michelin all seasons work great.

When it comes to driving in cold weather, anticipate anything. The truth of the matter is that the minute you are in a slide there is very little that you can do. Hitting the brakes is probably the worst thing as it causes you too loose steering ability (although with this ABS thing of a jig that somewhat defeats the purpose) but still...steer in the direction you want to go. If you can, downshift and just enjoy the ride. If you have to crash remeber this scale...aim for things that cause the least amount of damage to people then your vehicle.

An example of this would be a situation in which I was involved in not too long ago. I was crusing at a wonderful speed of 120km/h in the rain, when suddenly the temperatures droped and snow turned to snow/ice. I decreased my speed to about 80km/h when suddenly I noticed people in front of me doing 360's. This was on a highway (three lanes) well there was a huge pileup occuring in front of me. I had two options, one was to slam on the breaks (this would of caused me to spin into the cars) and the other option was to simply aim for the ditch. Needles to say I was airborn and did some neat designs in the ditch, the car wasn't damaged and my medical expertise was required as it was a massive pileup.

Hence, when it comes to driving in the cold. Take your time, increase your space between cars, anticipate anything and keep it cool the minute you loose it, steer in the direction you want to go.

One last tip, this one is a lot of fun but must be done with no Police in the viscinity. Every year during the first snow fall I take my car to a large lot, and just put it to the test. Handbrake turns, skids, uncontroled spin outs...you name it. This has two important functions...first you learn what your car can do in emergent situations and second it's a lot of fun. (just make sure there are no unforseen obstacles)

Later,
Szymon

posted by 24.71.223...

• Ice/Snow Driving Advice, MM, Tue, 18 Feb 2003 19:53:25
  • Re: Thanks for all the advice, MM, Thu, 20 Feb 2003 23:05:53
  • Like the SWEDES don't know to use snow tires, TG, Wed, 19 Feb 2003 22:38:48
  • BLIZZACK LM-22 best of both worlds, mwalk, Wed, 19 Feb 2003 12:11:09
  • Go for the snows, ChrisB, Wed, 19 Feb 2003 08:55:59
  • Steer back and push the clutch down, Hank, Wed, 19 Feb 2003 04:19:18
  • Re: Ice/Snow Driving Advice, Bruce, Tue, 18 Feb 2003 23:45:10
  • Re: Ice/Snow Driving Advice, Lutfisk, Tue, 18 Feb 2003 20:55:30
  • DON"T GET SNOW TIRES!, CANADIAN DRIVER, Tue, 18 Feb 2003 20:31:35 <-- Viewing This Message
    • Professional driver, Potsy, Wed, 19 Feb 2003 14:01:58
    • Obviously, you've never driven in snow on SUMMER tires, Schu, Wed, 19 Feb 2003 12:40:24
    • Yeah and oil changes are for suckers, too.. come on!!!, Andre060, Wed, 19 Feb 2003 12:16:45
    • no, and don't downshift either, Matt, Wed, 19 Feb 2003 11:17:41
      • doubleclutch, jp, Wed, 19 Feb 2003 11:52:37
        • Re: doubleclutch, Matt, Thu, 20 Feb 2003 11:33:30
          • it works on a T7 n/m, nickR, Thu, 20 Feb 2003 13:16:03
            • Re: it works on a T7 n/m, jp, Thu, 20 Feb 2003 16:30:17
              • I've noticed that too..., JimBlake , Fri, 21 Feb 2003 16:04:13
    • That advice is based on '70s-'80s tire tech, AdamB , Wed, 19 Feb 2003 11:04:34
    • I have to disagree as well, GJL, Wed, 19 Feb 2003 07:16:17
      • Re: I have to disagree as well, FrozenSaab, Wed, 19 Feb 2003 09:09:03
    • I AGREE WITH THAT GUY FROM CALGARY,, Mike, Wed, 19 Feb 2003 02:22:33
      • He's talking about summer tires Mike, Schu, Wed, 19 Feb 2003 18:34:36
      • Re: I AGREE WITH THAT GUY FROM CALGARY,, Roba, Wed, 19 Feb 2003 09:19:32
    • That advice isn't even worth responding to! n/m, Bruce, Tue, 18 Feb 2003 23:46:31
    • I disagree completely, nickR, Tue, 18 Feb 2003 22:37:25
      • Me too, Tim, Wed, 19 Feb 2003 10:15:05
        • Me three!, Bob M, Wed, 19 Feb 2003 12:00:21
          • Me Four, Ravi, Wed, 19 Feb 2003 12:27:18
            • Re: Me Five (I guess), Art S., Fri, 6 Jun 2003 11:27:26

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