By Lori Scott on Friday, April 20, 2001 - 03:55 pm: Edit

Black ice in Vermont has not had a great affect on my 2 Discos. My husband totaled my 95 just before Christmas this past year and I just crashed my 97 replacement this past week. Both accidents were identical in nature with the Discos behaving the same way. In both cases the vehicles protected the passenger compartments in ways I can only describe as remarkable. My husband walked away from the wreck of the 95 with minimal bumps and bruises even though he hit 2 trees and basically ripped the back end off. Mine was much less dramatic; she is still driveable and will be good as new next week.

I'm wondering if anyone has experienced similar emergency control situations and how I might better handle any future issues. (not moving from VT any time soon!) Here's what happened. I hit the black ice going about 35 mph. No diff lock as the road was bone dry, but the ice was on a spot covered by the day's snow melt. It froze over night. It felt as though I lost control of the drivers side wheels as the vehicle started skidding to the left. It did not behave as other vehicles I have driven, not responding to turning into the skid. It just seemed to make it worse spinning me into the guard rail on the right side of the road. My husband said he experienced just about the same behavior although probably was moving much faster. We don't totally suck as drivers,(my insurance company would disagree at the moment as might this group) but definitely need some input from others who might have been there done that.

Thanks
Lori

By nadim on Friday, April 20, 2001 - 04:49 pm: Edit

Haven't been there, nore done that!...(the accidents!)

BUT:

I have skidded several times, and I have turned in with the skid, and it seemed to have worked well. I have to say that tires do make a huge difference!...My current swampers are the Worst when it comes to this...Trac Edges, ATs, or anything else would have been much better.

I hope this novice message helped somewhat!

Good luck next time!

By Cal on Friday, April 20, 2001 - 07:35 pm: Edit

I totaled my 94 going down a steep winding turn with 6 inches of snow on a hard packed dirt road. The abs engaged so I was able to turn but not enough. I personally blamed the tires. Ironically the same type tires from firestone that have been recalled on ford explorers. A few turns prior to the crash I did notice the rear end wanting to slide out. I now have a 96 and I put BFG AT KO's. No problems after that other than long stopping distances (as the manual says ABS will actually stop you slower because there is no build up in front of the tire as there is with non ABS).

Sorry to hear about your mishaps,
Cal

By garrett on Monday, April 23, 2001 - 02:51 am: Edit

I was living outside of Burlington, VT a year ago and had a similar situation. I think I was just driving a little to fast for conditions and lost control of my Discovery and ended up having a head on with a rather large maple tree at about 45 mph. Walked away from this one with just a big bruise on my forehead. I am 6'-3" and ended up hitting my head just above the windshield, but we all walked away. Pretty amazing damage to the Rover and of course it was more than totalled. Thank goodness I was in that truck and not something else. I can say that these trucks do behave a little differently in the snow than many others and the ABS can get some adjusting to. I guess all this just should make us a little more aware and pretty thankful at the least.
Cheers.
Garrett

By Rob on Monday, April 23, 2001 - 03:01 am: Edit

I think that what is important to know that even in turning in to the slide if you do this quickly or dramatically it will cause to much swing. So basically if you turn into it to much when the truck comes around instead of straightening out you will swing to the other side. Of course this is damn near impossible to remember in an emergencybut it sounds like you guys are getting some good practice.
I learned this the hard way and ended up inverted.(not in a Disco though)

By Axel Haakonsen (Axel) on Monday, April 23, 2001 - 03:11 am: Edit

This is very true. In an emergency situation, you don't have time to think, everything will happen by reflex. The only way to be prepared is to practice ahead of time. When I was living in Norway, we used to practice sliding and recovery in big empty parking lots in the wintertime. Doing that is a relatively safe way of getting a feel for how your car will behave before you get into a real emergency.