Snow Driving Technique

[Figman]

Hello everyone:

What is the best way to drive on snow covered streets? I went on an urban expedition with my buddy during this recent snow storm. I was able to keep up with my him but sometimes my TC comes in too many times.

I have an '01 SE7 with ACE and SLS; he has an '04 SE7 with CDL. We both have the famous HP Wrangler's 18" He tells me that going uphill he activates the CDL and the TC never comes on, meanwhile my TC lights comes on and off a lot.

just curious...

Thanks

Figman

If I replace my HPs with Nittos same size; would this help?

 

[Cowcatcher]

I thougt that the cdl switches of the TC

 

[justinhaaga]

tires are a big plus, but really it's a matter of momentum and not slamming on the brakes (locking them up).

practice, practice I think is the best advice I can give. Learn your vechile.

 

[vray]

tires are a big plus, but really it's a matter of momentum and not slamming on the brakes (locking them up).

practice, practice I think is the best advice I can give. Learn your vechile.

Also, snow and ice conditions vary drastically; eskimos don't have 100 different words for snow without reason. The more I live in the mountains, the more I learn about ice and snow, the more I realise how different the conditions are in reality, even though by first glance they may look the same. So it is unlikely that there is one answer to this large variety of conditions. Studs will help on ice for sure. I like Nokian Hakkas for ice and snow.

 

[syoung]

CDL makes a big difference. I have played with mine with and without CDL engaged and it's absolutely night and day different. The CDL makes the truck much more controllable.

 

[Rover3]

Get some Pirrelli scorpion A/T's, these are sick in the snow, and use lots of momentum.

 

[ID_Disco_II]

Good tires make a huge difference. If you find yourself doing a lot of driving on snow/ice it may be worth getting a second set of tires just for the winter season. If you are talking about going up in the snow just to play or regularly have to get through sever conditions, I would recommend aggressive snows with studs and a set of chains for emergency.

But, if you find the tires you have on the vehicle work well most of the time and just want some extra traction, you may want to get your tires siped. This process involves razor-fine grooves cut into your tire tread to provide extra gripping surface, especially on ice. Tire centers like Les Schwab have a machine that does it for about $50 for all 4 tires.

As for driving, exaggerate every move. Give yourself extra time and space to do things, especially going to or from a stop. If you do start to slip, keep your foot steady on the brakes or ease up on the gas if you're moving.

 

[MUSKYMAN]

CDL makes a big difference. I have played with mine with and without CDL engaged and it's absolutely night and day different. The CDL makes the truck much more controllable.

this is oh so true...I have been saying this for years on here and lots of people have argued with me and all I can say is they are way wrong.

the truck will drive in a nuetral to slight oversteer with the CDL locked and it will plow and understeer like a mudder without it locked.

also the CDL will almost double the effectivness of the brakes...dont believe me try this. hit the brakes hard and see where the anti-lock kicks in...then lock the CDL and repeat. you will find that you can brake about twice as hard with the CDL locked.

Thom

 

[vray]

CDL makes a big difference. I have played with mine with and without CDL engaged and it's absolutely night and day different. The CDL makes the truck much more controllable.

I agree, CDL engaged does wonders..

 

[vray]

also the CDL will almost double the effectivness of the brakes...dont believe me try this. hit the brakes hard and see where the anti-lock kicks in...then lock the CDL and repeat. you will find that you can brake about twice as hard with the CDL locked.

Thom

I have to give that a try, sometimes it is frightening as to how long it takes for me to stop.

 

[syoung]

I love to induce a little oversteer with teh CDL engaged... can't do it with the CDL unlocked.
Spent a good five minutes one day doing high speed donuts in the parking lot. What fun!

 

[peter sherman]

Thom hit the nail! As usual! I will throw the cdl when I am driving without if I see a light turn red or a change in depth. In the deep stuff cdl is the ticket.

 

[mainerova]

along with what everyone else said, throttle control in very important, last weekend I had fun going up steep twisty roads in about 8'' of snow, my foot was always moving.

 

[Rocky]

Went out in the storm on Sunday for a drive around my town, including a couple of steep hills both up and downhill, and never slipped once witb Dunlop RTs and a little consideration to the conditions.

Never relax your guard when in snow, conditions change constrantly

 

[Carl_kps]

If all else fails buy chains for your tires. Thats what I need because I live on the side of a mountain in West Virginia and it took three days to get the road plowed. The only thing that sucks is taking them off and putting them on. However, you should not need chain in West Chester Ny. Just remember that driving on snow is alot like sailing a boat. It is pretty easy to go straight ahead but momentum will take over when you turn and stop.

 

[Nori]

Just drive slow. and Dont stop unless you have to. Dont step on the gas too hard or you will spin the wheels. Thats all you need. CDL and chains are just to give you more ability to control, but if you know how to work your foot, there will be no issues.
You always see these morons on the highway with a Jeep and drive 40 mil/h thinking "YAH I have a Jeep and I can Drive anyware" but most of the time those are the one that crash.
Actally I saw one last year happen right infront of me and Had no desire to help that guy since he try to kill every one on the H/W.

 

[MUSKYMAN]

its not just about driving slow. a matter of fact if you are driving slower then traffic you pose a threat to others as well.

Snow driving is a matter of technique. being able to read the conditions and sence changes in it as they occur. constantly testing conditions with a lift of the throttle while in a lower gear ECT ECT.

I could go on for ever on this...but its 58 in chicago and spring is here!!

 

[peter sherman]

You just put word on it Thom! It will be 10 tomorrow now!

 

[Nori]

That is so true. I should of writen that too.
But lost of people think that they can drive faster that others just because they have a 4x4. Which actaully 4x4 are more harder to stop on a snow even with ETC. Like you said you just need to analize the condition of the road and your cars capability.

its not just about driving slow. a matter of fact if you are driving slower then traffic you pose a threat to others as well.

Snow driving is a matter of technique. being able to read the conditions and sence changes in it as they occur. constantly testing conditions with a lift of the throttle while in a lower gear ECT ECT.

I could go on for ever on this...but its 58 in chicago and spring is here!!

 

[MUSKYMAN]

That is so true. I should of writen that too.
But lost of people think that they can drive faster that others just because they have a 4x4. Which actaully 4x4 are more harder to stop on a snow even with ETC. Like you said you just need to analize the condition of the road and your cars capability.

I agree with you I see lots of people off the road because they are driving faster then thier skill level allows them to control.

4x4's will get you going faster and they will stop faster as well if you know how to and have them set up correctly.

I have heavily siped tires and I lock the CDL to even the braking force out between the tires. This has got me rearended a couple times in the last few years because the idiots that that drive to close cant stop as fast even when they weigh half as much and have ABS .

Peter

I hope I did jinx us here...a little more winter would be nice I really would like one more good dumping to give us some winter wheeling. Are you in on our next jaunt to Wisconsin?

Thom