If you need urgent support, call 999 or go to your nearest A&E. To contact our Crisis Messenger (open 24/7) text THEMIX to 85258.
Read the community guidelines before posting ✨
Options
Tips for driving in snow
Former Member
Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
in General Chat
As ive never really had any experience of it. From what i know:
Stopping distance is somethig like 10 times what it is normally so stay a safe distance apart.
Dont brake but instead go down gears to slow down.
When pulling away, start in 2nd
Keep revs low
If you skid dont brake but steer into it
Is that right? Anything else i should know? When is it safe to brake, say you have to stop at a junction?
Stopping distance is somethig like 10 times what it is normally so stay a safe distance apart.
Dont brake but instead go down gears to slow down.
When pulling away, start in 2nd
Keep revs low
If you skid dont brake but steer into it
Is that right? Anything else i should know? When is it safe to brake, say you have to stop at a junction?
0
Comments
actually don't do that, but keep your revs low, speed low etc
you can feel when the car starts to slide on ice, don't brake hard and defintly don't accerlate, if your car starts to slide round turn into the skid to correct it when you begin to get grip again
so basically what you posted was about right but I still use the brake but very very gently
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTransport/Highwaycode/DG_069859
The only personal advice I can give about driving in snow is that you should take all the actions you normally take behind the wheel, but much slower!
And, of course, stay WAY behind the vehicle in front, even if the line of traffic is speeding up.
agreed
Kinda bricking it having to drive cos my car is so old and not designed for snow at all but we'll see
I think all that you have said makes sense apart from one glaring omission - don't try and drive at normal speeds.
You may need to replan your route to avoid any hills - theres bloodylittle hills everywhere and they can really scupper journeys when theres snow/ice.
Make sure you have things in your car incase you get stuck - a change of clothes, blankets, torch, mobile phone and charger, cash in case you have to abandon and use other transport methods where they are an option, a shovel is probably useful.
Theres more snow coming so my main piece of advice is to make sure you have proper, sturdy waterproof footwear to hand - just in case!
My car got stuck in the snow at work, just about got him out of his parking space then couldnt get up a tiny incline on the route out of the car park so I had to put him back and use public transport.
Actually that's a pretty good list. They key tips is never use 1st Gear.
Also helps if you have a spade in the car just in case you need to dig yourself out.
As for junction, decelerate earlier than usual and ease towards the junction using gears to help slow yourself. Light touch on brakes at most.
Driving is snow is fun, if you do it properly.
Other (unofficial suggestions include)
- Bring kitty litter and a strong friend in case you get stuck
- Rules of the road don't apply when there's snow on the ground so try to take advantage of that by doing as many donuts in a parking lot as possible.
Take these options!
Make sure you have food and chocolate and a sleeping bag and warm clothes in case you get seriously stuck. Also remember that you might not get stuck but the person in front might and then you get stuck as well.
I've been driving our 4x4 (lada niva - not a chelsea tractor) around the past few days and its amazing how much better it is than my usual car. However small light front wheel drive cars are best on snow and ice then large heavy rear wheel drive ones.
If you live somewhere thats likely to get very snowy and involve you driving up and down lots of snowy lanes all winter its worth thinking about getting winter tires or snow chains (make sure they are easy to put on though as my dad's aren't) as they make a massive difference.
Too much power/torque to the wheels. Basically all you will get is wheel spin...
You can pull off in first but just don't put your foot down, pretty much as soon as you are moving put it into 2nd.
Generally i always try and be one gear higher than i normally would, just be very careful on the pedals and smooth with the steering wheel, and try and stick to well used roads.
Of course the number one rule is don't drive unless you absolutely have to :yes: