Driving on Snow - Tipps

**Blackhorse** · 06-01-2010, 01:29 PM

slow, defensive and with increased distance between cars

take especial care on bridges, roads with hills where top is exposed, forest roads and roads alongside rivers (any water really) as they are especially prone to icing

drive with a lof of ''feeling - soft touch'' no harsh movements on the gas, breaks or stiring. Especially when overtaking, changing lanes or going round corners abrupt moves can make your car skid.

IF your car SHOULD SLIDE:
take your foot off the gas
put the drive in neutral (no gear in )
and stir to the direction you want to go there is a word for this but I am not sure what it is in english - counterstirring??..maybe someone can help)

If you are going downhill then it is advisable to use the lower gears of the car to break instead of putting the gear to neutral. You need to do this gently though.

should your car have ABS
you should be able to use your breaks at the same time but very carefully

if you dont have ABS do not use the break!!

always look into the direction you want to be going as this will be the direction you will automatically tend to stir towards

oh and this:
If you cannot get started as your car wont drive on the snow (if you are stuck in the snow) try and go in 2nd gear...this will reduce the spin of the tyres and might help you get going easier!

sorry for the bad translation but it is the recommended guidlines for driving on snow and I only had it in german.

here is a link in english too
http://www.ehow.com/how_4447214_rega...dding-car.html

**little miss chatterbox** · 06-01-2010, 01:32 PM

thank you Nicole and personally I think the translation is fab!!!

I always worry about driving in the snow and I have to say I didn't know if you have abs you can still break!

The word you are looking for is countersteering so you did very very well!

I also didn't know to put the car in neutral!!!

This has been very helpful thank you!

**FizzysFriends** · 06-01-2010, 01:32 PM

I've always been told to drive into the skid and not against it?

**Chimps Childminding** · 06-01-2010, 01:35 PM

Originally Posted by FizzysFriends

I've always been told to drive into the skid and not against it?

Thats what I understood too!! Not that I am risking going anywhere!!!!!!!!!!!!

**Blackhorse** · 06-01-2010, 01:38 PM

Originally Posted by FizzysFriends

I've always been told to drive into the skid and not against it?

yeah sorry..that is what I mean I have changed it

**Annie_T** · 06-01-2010, 08:49 PM

thankyou hun

just like to add take foot of acelarator (gas) slowly tho not fast as this can cause you to skid also (i know i have a car thats skid happy in any weather- joys of sports cars and rear wheel drive huh)

if driving in ice you will find no matter what way you turn wheel it wont make a difference your still go forward as its ice (ok you knew that prob lol). avoid driving unless really need to drive in this weather

**sarah707** · 06-01-2010, 09:09 PM

Thank you for sharing!

I'm not going anywhere in my car. My road is a death trap and not gritted

There's a gritting machine stuck in one of the local lanes

**Heaven Scent** · 06-01-2010, 10:01 PM

Thanks for that - I'm still way too nervous to drive on snow - especially with other peoples children.

**Ripeberry** · 06-01-2010, 10:55 PM

Watch out for skidding when going round even gentle bends. If the back of the car starts to slide towards the center of the road then steer gently in the direction of the skid.
If you do the opposite it will turn into a spin. Carry a shovel, old bits of large cardboard in your boot.
All other suggestions as above are good. This year I've invested in some Autosocks, bit easier to put on than snow chains.
Not had to use them...yet, but I know they are there if I get stuck.
Just remember, everything is done gently and using high gears.

**singlewiththree** · 07-01-2010, 08:07 AM

Sky news were also saying carry anything grittty in your boot be it:-
sand
cat litter
piece of carpet
cardboard

Anything you can put under the wheels to help you get out.

I've not moved the car since Sunday, completely snowed in.

**ORKSIE** · 07-01-2010, 08:34 AM

Thanks for that Nicole, fantastic translation

**daisyboo1980** · 07-01-2010, 10:47 AM

when its actually happening u dont have time to remember what to do trust me i skidded on tues night and have a really bad damaged wheel plus im 8 weeks pregnant scared the life out of me
taking the car to get fixed had to cancel 1 mindee today and hire a hire car for the school run
im very stressed and teary and would love just to go to bed tried to take the day off to get over it and to relaxed but parents kicked up such a fuss

**Blackhorse** · 07-01-2010, 11:01 AM

Originally Posted by daisyboo1980

when its actually happening u dont have time to remember what to do trust me i skidded on tues night and have a really bad damaged wheel plus im 8 weeks pregnant scared the life out of me
taking the car to get fixed had to cancel 1 mindee today and hire a hire car for the school run
im very stressed and teary and would love just to go to bed tried to take the day off to get over it and to relaxed but parents kicked up such a fuss

I am sorry to hear what happened to you and I hope you are ok!!
I am sure there are circumstances where it is too late to do anything but I have managed to get myself out of a skid before with no damage to anyone or anything...so I think it is still better to know what you should do as you MIGHT be able to do something about it...unfortunately that wont always be the case....