I don't get it. Anyone who lives where it snows sees this, every year. I swear, it's like people forget how to drive in the snow! They have been doing it for years probably, yet the first snow of the season the road might as well be a solid sheet of ice, and they are 13 year olds who have never driven a car before! Now, I drove for the first time in the snow this past winter. Never done it before. It was a bad snow, snowing hard, about an inch in the past half hour. Slippery stuff. Now, I'm driving an 03 Expedition 4WD, with Michelin LTX M/S tires (good All-season tires). Did I have problems? Not really. The only incident was a slight left onto a street that when I turned the wheel, it kept going straight and I ended up with the front passenger tire partway in a snowbank, and I was able to drive off without incident. Meanwhile, everyone else is sliding hither and yon, going into ditches, crashing, spinning.. I don't get it, I really don't. I was in 2WD the whole time. Is it that people just forget how to drive in the snow? Or something else maybe?
What is it with people and winter driving?
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No, I saw something in another thread that made me think of it. It's not snowing yet, but the way this summer has been, and what the weather people are saying is that its going to be a bad (or good, if your a skier like me)winter. I am making a guess that we will have at least flurries in october this year. I can't wait, to be honest. Snow day, gonna take my car up to Gore Mountain, ski for a couple hours, then sit in the warm lodge with some good food, hot chocolate, a book, and just relax. Ahhh... Perfect day for me.
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It happens in Washington as well, but with rain. If it does not rain for 1 week or more people forget how to drive in it. The first day after the dry spell will see much worse traffic than usual.
This is with people who drive in rain the majority of the year!
This is with people who drive in rain the majority of the year!
Seems like it is fairly common for the first snow or especially ice to cause a rash of accidents. The news channels will spend half the time telling people that it is coming and to slow down and be careful but they seem to ignore it. I also notice that it seems to be the 4WD and SUV's that have the most trouble it seems. Don't know if they think that they don't have to adjust their driving or what.
Originally Posted By: rudolphna
I don't get it. Anyone who lives where it snows sees this, every year. I swear, it's like people forget how to drive in the snow! They have been doing it for years probably, yet the first snow of the season the road might as well be a solid sheet of ice, and they are 13 year olds who have never driven a car before! Now, I drove for the first time in the snow this past winter. Never done it before. It was a bad snow, snowing hard, about an inch in the past half hour. Slippery stuff. Now, I'm driving an 03 Expedition 4WD, with Michelin LTX M/S tires (good All-season tires). Did I have problems? Not really. The only incident was a slight left onto a street that when I turned the wheel, it kept going straight and I ended up with the front passenger tire partway in a snowbank, and I was able to drive off without incident. Meanwhile, everyone else is sliding hither and yon, going into ditches, crashing, spinning.. I don't get it, I really don't. I was in 2WD the whole time. Is it that people just forget how to drive in the snow? Or something else maybe?
You're complaining about people sliding and then tell us you slid into a snow bank.
You probably wouldn't have spun out if you put your truck in 4WD. Why not take advantage of it? Especially if last year was the first time you've driven in snow!
I'd bet 90% of foul weather accidents could be prevented if people maintained their vehicles. Half the people at work drive around on tires with 2/32s of tread!
I don't get it. Anyone who lives where it snows sees this, every year. I swear, it's like people forget how to drive in the snow! They have been doing it for years probably, yet the first snow of the season the road might as well be a solid sheet of ice, and they are 13 year olds who have never driven a car before! Now, I drove for the first time in the snow this past winter. Never done it before. It was a bad snow, snowing hard, about an inch in the past half hour. Slippery stuff. Now, I'm driving an 03 Expedition 4WD, with Michelin LTX M/S tires (good All-season tires). Did I have problems? Not really. The only incident was a slight left onto a street that when I turned the wheel, it kept going straight and I ended up with the front passenger tire partway in a snowbank, and I was able to drive off without incident. Meanwhile, everyone else is sliding hither and yon, going into ditches, crashing, spinning.. I don't get it, I really don't. I was in 2WD the whole time. Is it that people just forget how to drive in the snow? Or something else maybe?
You're complaining about people sliding and then tell us you slid into a snow bank.
You probably wouldn't have spun out if you put your truck in 4WD. Why not take advantage of it? Especially if last year was the first time you've driven in snow!
I'd bet 90% of foul weather accidents could be prevented if people maintained their vehicles. Half the people at work drive around on tires with 2/32s of tread!
No, it's not the maintenance, I see it EVERY year and stay away from the highways on first snow day. The biggest offenders are the guys in SUV's and trucks, as most of the cars that are in ditches are SUV's and trucks. Must be the 4wd thing, they just don't slow down and drive as if it was dry, plus NONE of them will ever put snow tires, they have 4wd to save them after all
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Originally Posted By: KrisZ
No, it's not the maintenance, I see it EVERY year and stay away from the highways on first snow day. The biggest offenders are the guys in SUV's and trucks, as most of the cars that are in ditches are SUV's and trucks. Must be the 4wd thing, they just don't slow down and drive as if it was dry, plus NONE of them will ever put snow tires, they have 4wd to save them after all
.
Meh, I see it from everyone. When I'm out driving to work or running errands in my F150 or Cherokee, I get passed like I'm standing still. Trucks, cars, it doesn't matter.
No, it's not the maintenance, I see it EVERY year and stay away from the highways on first snow day. The biggest offenders are the guys in SUV's and trucks, as most of the cars that are in ditches are SUV's and trucks. Must be the 4wd thing, they just don't slow down and drive as if it was dry, plus NONE of them will ever put snow tires, they have 4wd to save them after all
Meh, I see it from everyone. When I'm out driving to work or running errands in my F150 or Cherokee, I get passed like I'm standing still. Trucks, cars, it doesn't matter.
I loved the story my son found on a Miata board. A blond in an SUV was blocking a guy in a Miata on a hill. He got out to help. He pointed to the 4WD lever and told her to push it. She replied ''I don't know what that does and was told never to touch it.''
In 2WD, the 4WD things are as helpless as anything else or worse.
Until the lack of clearance gets me in deep snow, I am just as happy with FWD. It may even be more stable on ice than 4WD.
Check the ones upside down for orange cans.
In 2WD, the 4WD things are as helpless as anything else or worse.
Until the lack of clearance gets me in deep snow, I am just as happy with FWD. It may even be more stable on ice than 4WD.
Check the ones upside down for orange cans.
The main thing to remember about 4WD:
It helps get you going but does little for steering and nothing for braking. (Even 2WD cars have 4 pieces of rubber on the road same as you.)
Most of the vehicles I see upside down in the ditch are 4WD that were speeding for the conditions.
Don't forget.
It helps get you going but does little for steering and nothing for braking. (Even 2WD cars have 4 pieces of rubber on the road same as you.)
Most of the vehicles I see upside down in the ditch are 4WD that were speeding for the conditions.
Don't forget.
Originally Posted By: river_rat
The main thing to remember about 4WD:
It helps get you going but does little for steering and nothing for braking. (Even 2WD cars have 4 pieces of rubber on the road same as you.)
Most of the vehicles I see upside down in the ditch are 4WD that were speeding for the conditions.
Don't forget.
I don't agree. If you downshift in a 4WD vehicle, you'll stop better than 2WD. The same goes for steering. Having a wheel pull you along helps you go in the direction you want. The only time I've ever had any trouble turning in snow was driving my Wrangler with locking differentials, and even then it's managable when you get used to it.
4WD is better in the snow, which is why people develop a false sense of security.
The main thing to remember about 4WD:
It helps get you going but does little for steering and nothing for braking. (Even 2WD cars have 4 pieces of rubber on the road same as you.)
Most of the vehicles I see upside down in the ditch are 4WD that were speeding for the conditions.
Don't forget.
I don't agree. If you downshift in a 4WD vehicle, you'll stop better than 2WD. The same goes for steering. Having a wheel pull you along helps you go in the direction you want. The only time I've ever had any trouble turning in snow was driving my Wrangler with locking differentials, and even then it's managable when you get used to it.
4WD is better in the snow, which is why people develop a false sense of security.
Originally Posted By: Zaedock
Originally Posted By: river_rat
The main thing to remember about 4WD:
It helps get you going but does little for steering and nothing for braking. (Even 2WD cars have 4 pieces of rubber on the road same as you.)
Most of the vehicles I see upside down in the ditch are 4WD that were speeding for the conditions.
Don't forget.
I don't agree. If you downshift in a 4WD vehicle, you'll stop better than 2WD. The same goes for steering. Having a wheel pull you along helps you go in the direction you want. The only time I've ever had any trouble turning in snow was driving my Wrangler with locking differentials, and even then it's managable when you get used to it.
4WD is better in the snow, which is why people develop a false sense of security.
And tell me; How many people know this about 4wd/AWD cars??? And it's not like you can start drifting on public roads, because that's the only situation when 4wd/AWD will pull you in and help you steer. Under normal driving the car will act as any other.
But you are right that 4wd/AWD provides a false sense of security, but not because people actually pushed their 4wd/AWD cars to the limit and know what they are capable of, but because of ignorant advertising, where a stunt driver on a closed course, on winter tires pulls some nice turns and people believe that they can do the same.
Originally Posted By: river_rat
The main thing to remember about 4WD:
It helps get you going but does little for steering and nothing for braking. (Even 2WD cars have 4 pieces of rubber on the road same as you.)
Most of the vehicles I see upside down in the ditch are 4WD that were speeding for the conditions.
Don't forget.
I don't agree. If you downshift in a 4WD vehicle, you'll stop better than 2WD. The same goes for steering. Having a wheel pull you along helps you go in the direction you want. The only time I've ever had any trouble turning in snow was driving my Wrangler with locking differentials, and even then it's managable when you get used to it.
4WD is better in the snow, which is why people develop a false sense of security.
And tell me; How many people know this about 4wd/AWD cars??? And it's not like you can start drifting on public roads, because that's the only situation when 4wd/AWD will pull you in and help you steer. Under normal driving the car will act as any other.
But you are right that 4wd/AWD provides a false sense of security, but not because people actually pushed their 4wd/AWD cars to the limit and know what they are capable of, but because of ignorant advertising, where a stunt driver on a closed course, on winter tires pulls some nice turns and people believe that they can do the same.
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Forget 4wd. If you can't manage driving with 2wd in the winter, then opt for AWD. Far superior over 4wd for traction and directionaly stability.
Another thing. Most people (driving vehicles with automatic trans) don't seem to realize that they should push the gear selector to neutral when approaching a slippery intersection. The tranny IS designed to do this, that is why there is no lock-out between drive and neutral. Makes a big difference when trying to slow the vehicle down under control on slippery surfaces.
Finally, get with the program and buy a set of wheels and winter tires and mount them before it snows. People [censored] about the expense but will readily toss hundreds for a goofy spoiler or some other tacky garbage on their car. They don't realize that their tires (8 in total) will now last longer.
Another thing. Most people (driving vehicles with automatic trans) don't seem to realize that they should push the gear selector to neutral when approaching a slippery intersection. The tranny IS designed to do this, that is why there is no lock-out between drive and neutral. Makes a big difference when trying to slow the vehicle down under control on slippery surfaces.
Finally, get with the program and buy a set of wheels and winter tires and mount them before it snows. People [censored] about the expense but will readily toss hundreds for a goofy spoiler or some other tacky garbage on their car. They don't realize that their tires (8 in total) will now last longer.
Originally Posted By: paul246
Forget 4wd. If you can't manage driving with 2wd in the winter, then opt for AWD. Far superior over 4wd for traction and directionaly stability.
Another thing. Most people (driving vehicles with automatic trans) don't seem to realize that they should push the gear selector to neutral when approaching a slippery intersection. The tranny IS designed to do this, that is why there is no lock-out between drive and neutral. Makes a big difference when trying to slow the vehicle down under control on slippery surfaces.
Finally, get with the program and buy a set of wheels and winter tires and mount them before it snows. People [censored] about the expense but will readily toss hundreds for a goofy spoiler or some other tacky garbage on their car. They don't realize that their tires (8 in total) will now last longer.
Common sense, from the common man? You don't expect much, do you?
Forget 4wd. If you can't manage driving with 2wd in the winter, then opt for AWD. Far superior over 4wd for traction and directionaly stability.
Another thing. Most people (driving vehicles with automatic trans) don't seem to realize that they should push the gear selector to neutral when approaching a slippery intersection. The tranny IS designed to do this, that is why there is no lock-out between drive and neutral. Makes a big difference when trying to slow the vehicle down under control on slippery surfaces.
Finally, get with the program and buy a set of wheels and winter tires and mount them before it snows. People [censored] about the expense but will readily toss hundreds for a goofy spoiler or some other tacky garbage on their car. They don't realize that their tires (8 in total) will now last longer.
Common sense, from the common man? You don't expect much, do you?
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My most stable vehicle in snow was my mother's Corsica with 4 studded snows. You could literally get slap happy with it. It was good up to about a foot.
My Wrangler just allows me to be slow without requiring momentum to carry me with RWD. I can play with room, but driving is just calm. 4 wheel go doesn't mean 4 wheel stop and you can never account for the other guy.
Lockers are fine for getting going in 2wd, but can be a problem at higher speeds in lower traction surfaces. Like having your rear end track straight on a 45mph curve while your front end follows the curve.
My Wrangler just allows me to be slow without requiring momentum to carry me with RWD. I can play with room, but driving is just calm. 4 wheel go doesn't mean 4 wheel stop and you can never account for the other guy.
Lockers are fine for getting going in 2wd, but can be a problem at higher speeds in lower traction surfaces. Like having your rear end track straight on a 45mph curve while your front end follows the curve.
I had a '95 Maxima before (FWD, obviously). Thing was great in the snow.
Now I have a RWD "sports car" with a tired old limited-slip differential. It does everything better than the Maxima did except climb hills. I've driven vehicles that have less grip on wet roads than my car has on pack snow.
When I see people in ditches or stopped on the side of the road, almost all of them are in SUVs.
I don't care about going. I care about stopping and turning. Accidents happen because you can't stop or swerve, not because you couldn't accelerate fast enough. I still don't get how people buy these huge vehicles "for the snow" and think they're okay just because they have AWD. They can't turn or stop to avoid an accident, but they can accelerate into one pretty quick...
Now I have a RWD "sports car" with a tired old limited-slip differential. It does everything better than the Maxima did except climb hills. I've driven vehicles that have less grip on wet roads than my car has on pack snow.
When I see people in ditches or stopped on the side of the road, almost all of them are in SUVs.
I don't care about going. I care about stopping and turning. Accidents happen because you can't stop or swerve, not because you couldn't accelerate fast enough. I still don't get how people buy these huge vehicles "for the snow" and think they're okay just because they have AWD. They can't turn or stop to avoid an accident, but they can accelerate into one pretty quick...
Originally Posted By: paul246
Another thing. Most people (driving vehicles with automatic trans) don't seem to realize that they should push the gear selector to neutral when approaching a slippery intersection. The tranny IS designed to do this, that is why there is no lock-out between drive and neutral. Makes a big difference when trying to slow the vehicle down under control on slippery surfaces.
Neutral? That's not a very good practice. Why would you purposely want to loose throttle control in foul weather? With a manual, you downshift to slow. Apply the same principal to your auto and drop the tranny into 2 or L when slowing. If you have to accelerate for whatever reason, having the tranny in N is useless.
Another thing. Most people (driving vehicles with automatic trans) don't seem to realize that they should push the gear selector to neutral when approaching a slippery intersection. The tranny IS designed to do this, that is why there is no lock-out between drive and neutral. Makes a big difference when trying to slow the vehicle down under control on slippery surfaces.
Neutral? That's not a very good practice. Why would you purposely want to loose throttle control in foul weather? With a manual, you downshift to slow. Apply the same principal to your auto and drop the tranny into 2 or L when slowing. If you have to accelerate for whatever reason, having the tranny in N is useless.
In Denver, I saw much of the same -- SUVs and trucks whooshing past me on a snowy morning, while here I am, in the right lane, moving steadily and slowly along. And every snow morning, there'd be one or more reports of a truck or SUV having flipped off the road.
Heck of it is, I drove only RWD vehicles there. The Mercedes 280CE and 420SEL were both so well balanced that I had no problems. The cars would let me know when we were about to get into trouble, and I'd back off from whatever I was doing.
Of course I never tried driving in the mountains in the snow, just the city, but there were plenty of hills to deal with.
As for the morons in The Swamp on the one day in ten years that it snows, you wouldn't believe it. The first time I ever drove in snow was in December of '89, with my Ford Escort. Even I knew the rules were simple: Slow down, don't make sudden direction changes, and leave LOTS of following room. But they couldn't get it. Idjits.
Heck of it is, I drove only RWD vehicles there. The Mercedes 280CE and 420SEL were both so well balanced that I had no problems. The cars would let me know when we were about to get into trouble, and I'd back off from whatever I was doing.
Of course I never tried driving in the mountains in the snow, just the city, but there were plenty of hills to deal with.
As for the morons in The Swamp on the one day in ten years that it snows, you wouldn't believe it. The first time I ever drove in snow was in December of '89, with my Ford Escort. Even I knew the rules were simple: Slow down, don't make sudden direction changes, and leave LOTS of following room. But they couldn't get it. Idjits.
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