Tips and Tricks - Winter/Snow Driving

[h0llywood]

Winter is fast approaching and with that comes snow. I am in the West Coast so we don't see much or any snow at all. However I am getting ready to go and take a long vacation in a cabin up in Mammoth, CA. I'm a little concerned that El Nino will come and make mountain/snow driving even worse. 

I'm not sure if it snows there in Carolina however does anyone have any tips or tricks in driving in the snow? I don't have AWD or 4WD and plan on bringing my Honda Accord. Is that a smart idea? I figured if I have snow chains that would be sufficient. 

[SmokinwithWilly]

Driving in snow is fairly simple if you remember some basic rules.

1.Whatever speed you think is safe on main roads, drop it another 10 mph. Since you don't have experience driving in it, if you start sliding, chances are you will over react trying to correct yourself. Slowing it down gives you that extra second for your mind to process what's happening.

2. Make sure you have an emergency kit in your car. A few bottles of water, eXtra power cells for your phone, peanut butterm or protein bars for emergency food, emergency space blankets, cat litter for traction if you get stuck, lon term glow sticks etc. I keep a simple kit in my truck and it all fits in a range bag. And always have a full gas tank if your traveling over 50 miles.

3. If someone is determined to get around you, let them. 

4. Watch out for snow plows, especially if you are on a side street. They won't slow down and the snow they throw can do a lot of damage to your car. 

5. If it starts getting really icy, stay on the snow if possible. You get better traction. Coming downhill, drop into lower gears so you can't go to fast, especially if the road is winding.

6. The most important is be smart. If its snowing so hard you can barely see walking, it's going to be 10x worse driving. No brights either. Main roads are cleared first, then side streets. If its snowing really heavy, it may be hours or days before roads are clear.

Hope this helps.

[KSpan]

Snow chains are one of the best things you can have and will be more than sufficient; you can also take some kitty litter and a shovel to aid in gaining traction if you find yourself stuck in an icy spot. The main thing is to go slow, go steady, and give yourself plenty of space to stop without locking up the brakes - always keep the wheels turning where possible.

[h0llywood]

Thanks for the tip on Kitty Litter i had no idea. I was thinking about bringing a shovel just in case I need to go out and move some snow out the way. I'm going to start assembling a survival kit and hopefully nothing goes bad. 

[Chimera]

An Accord is a front wheel drive, so you'll have pretty reasonable traction.

Someone mentioned using lower gears - I second that, but make sure you downshift BEFORE you ever hit ice, before you start up or down a hill, etc.

As far as speed, I always try to maintain a speed so I stop using as little braking power as possible. Most of the accidents I see come from people trying to use brakes normally. Hit the brakes, you slide straight ahead. Hit the brakes and turn the wheel, you slide straight ahead.

Visibility is key. I've had to stop on the highway and clear snow from my headlights.

 

eta: along with kitty litter for traction, you can let air out of your tires to help grip (ask Tom Brady how that works).

[*FreeFua*]

lol good luck buddy!

[*FreeFua*]

Unless it's a freezing rain/icy it really isn't all that different than just normal driving. Just don't drive like an idiot and you'll be fine. 

[ncdrifter]

7 hours ago, h0llywood said:

Winter is fast approaching and with that comes snow. I am in the West Coast so we don't see much or any snow at all. However I am getting ready to go and take a long vacation in a cabin up in Mammoth, CA. I'm a little concerned that El Nino will come and make mountain/snow driving even worse. 

I'm not sure if it snows there in Carolina however does anyone have any tips or tricks in driving in the snow? I don't have AWD or 4WD and plan on bringing my Honda Accord. Is that a smart idea? I figured if I have snow chains that would be sufficient. 

Using chains , will make you way ahead of anyone in Carolina. A good choice, make sure you have them on tight or they will tear up your fenders.

[Chimera]

53 minutes ago, *FreeFua* said:

Unless it's a freezing rain/icy it really isn't all that different than just normal driving. Just don't drive like an idiot and you'll be fine. 

This. If it's icy, just don't even bother with mountains. 

I hit a patch of ice somewhere around Butte, Montana a few years ago. It was like a quarter mile of no traction, going downhill. All I could do was hold the wheel steady until I hit dry pavement again.

[h0llywood]

2 hours ago, *FreeFua* said:

Unless it's a freezing rain/icy it really isn't all that different than just normal driving. Just don't drive like an idiot and you'll be fine. 

You're used to this kind of driving! 

[arbnranger]

Make sure to buy milk and bread.

[PandaPancake]

Don't use chains. Damn southerners. Buy tire cables. They can be ran on cleared roads. You don't want to get killed pulling chains on and off the side of the road.

[Doyle]

...and that was the last time we heard from hollywood.  No one has seen him since

[h0llywood]

5 hours ago, PandaPancake said:

Don't use chains. Damn southerners. Buy tire cables. They can be ran on cleared roads. You don't want to get killed pulling chains on and off the side of the road.

Don't you still have to install the tire cables? What's the traction difference between cables and chains?

I believe there's designated places to stop and put on tire chains before heading up the mountain.