driving ergonomics in winter (tips)?

[pandus13]

so fellow Bitog-ers.
wearing gloves, heavy coat, boots, how do you "feel" the car/vehicle?
was 1-2 degress F in my area, and with heavy boots, i feel i was spinning the wheels because of too much pressure.

much appreciated. and be safe out there

 

[silverrat]

Heavy boots and driving with a manual transmission is definitely a challenge and takes getting used to.

 

[Tdbo]

Wear heavy coat and boots. Have never had issue with wearing boots because of pressure on gas. The issue with my wearing boots is space around pedals, can get kind of crowded.
No gloves here. I use this formula:
Cold weather + remote start = warm and toasty.
It is incumbent upon my vehicles to serve me, period.
Warm car with defrosted windows makes it easier to focus on the conditions.

 

[SwampSurvivor]

Originally Posted By: silverrat
Heavy boots and driving with a manual transmission is definitely a challenge and takes getting used to.


The pedals are so close on my Focus that I have to be careful when driving it with boots on. I can press all 3 pedals with one foot by mistake. I can only use the tip of the boot to press the gas pedal otherwise the entire boot gets stuck under the brake pedal if I need to brake quickly.

 

[eljefino]

When I have thick-soled shoes/ boots on I plant the heel of my foot under the brake pedal, use the ball of my foot on the gas, but let the right side of my shoe sole scrape the center tunnel carpet. For minute gas pedal position changes I roll my foot on my ankle instead of pushing it down further.

I actually take a relaxed approach to gripping the wheel; getting too uptight makes me make minute corrections that get the front end loose. I'm under a second away from using both hands hand-over-hand to whip the steering if needed, but otherwise guide the car quite gently.

 

[Wheel]

I dislike the closeness and lack of control winter boots/gloves bring on.

If I'm out in the bad, I'll throw my winter boots and heavy gloves and hat in the back seat, and wear boots and gloves that I can actually drive in. If I need the other stuff, I can swap in the car.

 

[IndyIan]

I normally wear 6" hikers, not really insulated, but with warmish socks, and a light winter jacket. That's good for getting into the car and going places all day unless its like -25 and windy.
Except if your car doesn't have heat, I don't see the need to put on real cold weather gear to drive around in a populated area.
I keep some gloves, a toque, and a sleeping bag in the car if I get stuck somewhere. If we are going ice fishing we never put on warm clothes and boots until you get out of the car and sometimes until you get out onto the ice, depending on the hike in. Sweating then sitting can make even the best gear feel chilly.

 

[KD0AXS]

I don't wear anything heavier than a sweatshirt while driving. If I'm wearing a coat and/or gloves, they come off when I get in the car. I don't understand these people driving and looking like they're going on an Arctic expedition. Might be a little chilly if the car is cold, but it only takes a few minutes to warm up.

 

[rslifkin]

I tend to only drive with gloves on if it's pushing the low single digits or colder, and even then, only with fairly thin gloves. As far as boots, I used to hate it, but at this point, I end up driving in boots at least once or twice a week anyway, so I've gotten used to the feel. I don't necessarily have quite the same finesse with the boots on, but it's good enough.

On long drives in the winter, I tend to ditch the jacket and just crank the heat up a bit more, as the less restricted arms are more comfortable.

 

[69GTX]

My footwear doesn't change from summer to winter. For the 20 years I had to wear high top, steel-toed work boots at work, they didn't go on until I was at work. I wouldn't have liked to drive in those.

 

[Dyusik]

For boots and gloves, one word: thinsulate. I'd rather freeze than loose the feel of a car. As far as fists step in my driving instruction is one thing at a time. Do not brake / accelerate while turning. My wife will never listen to anything I ever say so she calls me every close call she gets, WHILE DRIVING. The frustration is unexplainable. If your heater works, justwarm up the car for a few before driving. If not, with a frosted windshield you shouldn't worry about driving anyway, either the scrape job works up a sweat or you aren't going anywhere.

 

[pandus13]

Originally Posted By: IndyIan
I normally wear 6" hikers, not really insulated, but with warmish socks, and a light winter jacket. That's good for getting into the car and going places all day unless its like -25 and windy.
Except if your car doesn't have heat, I don't see the need to put on real cold weather gear to drive around in a populated area.
I keep some gloves, a toque, and a sleeping bag in the car if I get stuck somewhere. If we are going ice fishing we never put on warm clothes and boots until you get out of the car and sometimes until you get out onto the ice, depending on the hike in. Sweating then sitting can make even the best gear feel chilly.

I know, but,
-my car is not garaged
-i like a really clean car all around when i drive (all windows clean, no snow on the roof, lights/signals front and back cleaned)
-while living in a cold area, i'm not used to cold anymore (72-76 F at most places i worked at in the last 8 years in the winter)
-i just come back from Florida, and used to drive with real thin shoes, so still adjusting my sensitivity.


But, yeah, in the end you may be right... so thank you

 

[pandus13]

Originally Posted By: Dyusik
If not, with a frosted windshield you shouldn't worry about driving anyway,

Did this once with it frosted inside and hit a patch of really shinny morning sun.
NEVER AGAIN!!!!

 

[pandus13]

Originally Posted By: 69GTX
My footwear doesn't change from summer to winter.

I would like that, but from my door, to my car and all around till' is clean enough to drive safely plus sliding all around with thin soles in 2-3-5-6 inches snow......

 

[Oldmoparguy1]

It's even more challenging if your feet are numb, (Peripheral neuropathy ).

 

[SwampSurvivor]

Originally Posted By: Oldmoparguy1
It's even more challenging if your feet are numb, (Peripheral neuropathy ).


I had frost bite when I was younger. As soon as it starts to get cold outside I have no feeling in my feet. I have to do this penguin walk thing when trying to walk when it's cold out because I can't feel anything. It's strange trying to walk when you can't feel what's going on down there.

 

[turtlevette]

I warm up the car and wear a short sleeve shirt. People always ask if I'm cold. Not when you only need to walk a short distance between the car and a heated building.

 

[Wolf359]

Originally Posted By: turtlevette
I warm up the car and wear a short sleeve shirt. People always ask if I'm cold. Not when you only need to walk a short distance between the car and a heated building.



Yeah, it's not that big a deal. I like to go running in shorts and a T shirt when it's 50 degrees and people give you strange looks. In my older clubbing days, we used to stand outside the club for a few minutes in line just wearing a shirt and the girls would do the same without a jacket in 30 degree weather.

 

[Garak]

The only time I worry about dressing up really good for the conditions is if I'm planning on doing something outdoors, or spending some time on the highway and don't want to turn into a popsicle if I get stranded. I do keep some Arctic wear in the car in case of an emergency, though. But, I don't need to dress for snowmobiling to go to the grocery store.

 

[supton]

If I wear shoes for days, then suddenly wear boots and get in a vehicle, I might feel a difference. Goes away quickly. Usually the gloves come off pretty quickly too, although when we take a cold snap I use really thick mittens which have to come off real fast to work any controls. Glove liners would be a smart thing for us mitten wearers.

Both our vehicles have manual adjustments for seats, and while wife&I are nearly the same height, we both accept the fact that we might adjust the other's seat when driving. Electric mirrors are nice too, although we rarely adjust those.