Looking for tips on winter driving
#41
1. disable that vsa crap in a snowstorm
2. go 50 mph
3. pull ebrake firmly
4. observe
5. control the slide
5a. Record actions
6. become one with the snow
7. regular driving becomes a non-challenge
7a. Join rally with most under powered car in class
8. become iritated by other drivers not power sliding in snow
9. beat your wife in frustration
10. ???
11. Profit!
2. go 50 mph
3. pull ebrake firmly
4. observe
5. control the slide
5a. Record actions
6. become one with the snow
7. regular driving becomes a non-challenge
7a. Join rally with most under powered car in class
8. become iritated by other drivers not power sliding in snow
9. beat your wife in frustration
10. ???
11. Profit!
#42
I have a 2010 sport w/automatic. Being as the car is pretty low to the ground and I don't have a remote starter or an overdrive option, was wondering what some of you suggest for the coming winter months on the road.
What are your tips for driving through snow, icy roads?
How about dealing with frozen shut doors? I imagine it will happen.
Please post your comments for all to see. I’m sure there are a lot of people curious.
What are your tips for driving through snow, icy roads?
How about dealing with frozen shut doors? I imagine it will happen.
Please post your comments for all to see. I’m sure there are a lot of people curious.
I'd make sure your fluids are good. Let the car warm up for a few minutes before getting in and definitely keep a cold weather kit in the car (blankets, cell phone, snacky food like granola bars, LED flashlight, small shovel, extra de-icing washer fluid, scraper, & Paper towels. I recommend a spray bottle with washer fluid for the headlights as well.)
Unless you will regularly be in an area such as upstate NY (finger lakes or North/west of Albany), there's no need to go with a block heater. If you want some extra "juice" for the car, install an audio "lighting Cap" (capacitor) which will give the engine the extra boost on ignition that it needs. (I had one in my integra and the orignal battery lasted me through 8 winters before I traded the car)
~SB
#43
sorry bout the lone no posts guys, I rely on the boards auto email notification when there's a new post. seems to be a bit flakey
#45
I never belived in snow tires until last year. I had a 2000 honda civic si slammed, it would get stuck if it looked like it was going to snow. snow would build up inside the rota slipstream wheels, on the wheel arches and in the frnt grill. last year I got blizaks from the tire rack complete with steel rims, it drove great, not stuck once, never slid outa control, I was commuiting back and forth weekly from chicago to grand rapids and drove through some of the hairiest storms I have ever seen, the stuff where most of the cars you pass are in a dich upsidedown and on fire. The only thing I did not like about the tires was they handled soooo good they could make you cocky and if you didn't catch yourself you would slide.
I also carried a big ol' shovel, some kitty litter for traction a come a long with 50 feet of lead, blanket, MREs, hand powered radio change of cloths and extra water just in case I got stuck and had to stay for a while. I now have the fit and I am not even going to see if the stock tires suck I bought a new set of sno tires. I have also had luck spraying the plastic liners of the wheel arches with pam, so that sno doesn't stick and build up, I also wax the hell out of my door jams so they don't freeze shut. Hope some of this rambling info helped.
I also carried a big ol' shovel, some kitty litter for traction a come a long with 50 feet of lead, blanket, MREs, hand powered radio change of cloths and extra water just in case I got stuck and had to stay for a while. I now have the fit and I am not even going to see if the stock tires suck I bought a new set of sno tires. I have also had luck spraying the plastic liners of the wheel arches with pam, so that sno doesn't stick and build up, I also wax the hell out of my door jams so they don't freeze shut. Hope some of this rambling info helped.
#47
Snow tires aren't necessary in NYC since it's plowed fairly well. Upstate, like where our Fit is out in the middle of farm/snow country, the Blizzaks are going on in a month or so. Miles of interstate are known to be unplowed for the first few inches while they decide if they need to spend the money on plowing/salting.
Find a large empty parking lot that hasn't been plowed, and go do donuts. Feel where the ABS kicks in, how hard the car is to understeer (easy), and how hard it is to get going again.
Find a large empty parking lot that hasn't been plowed, and go do donuts. Feel where the ABS kicks in, how hard the car is to understeer (easy), and how hard it is to get going again.
#49
#50
I use a Snobrum myself (Amazon.com: Sno Brum Original Snow Removal Tool With Telescoping Handle: Gateway). Works a lot better than a brush to get heavy, wet snow off the car, and it claims to not scratch... though it's pretty overpriced for what it is.
ie. Hopkins 2610XM Super Extender 52" Snowbroom
I never belived in snow tires until last year. I had a 2000 honda civic si slammed, it would get stuck if it looked like it was going to snow. snow would build up inside the rota slipstream wheels, on the wheel arches and in the frnt grill. last year I got blizaks from the tire rack complete with steel rims, it drove great, not stuck once, never slid outa control, I was commuiting back and forth weekly from chicago to grand rapids and drove through some of the hairiest storms I have ever seen, the stuff where most of the cars you pass are in a dich upsidedown and on fire. The only thing I did not like about the tires was they handled soooo good they could make you cocky and if you didn't catch yourself you would slide.
I also carried a big ol' shovel, some kitty litter for traction a come a long with 50 feet of lead, blanket, MREs, hand powered radio change of cloths and extra water just in case I got stuck and had to stay for a while. I now have the fit and I am not even going to see if the stock tires suck I bought a new set of sno tires. I have also had luck spraying the plastic liners of the wheel arches with pam, so that sno doesn't stick and build up, I also wax the hell out of my door jams so they don't freeze shut. Hope some of this rambling info helped.
I also carried a big ol' shovel, some kitty litter for traction a come a long with 50 feet of lead, blanket, MREs, hand powered radio change of cloths and extra water just in case I got stuck and had to stay for a while. I now have the fit and I am not even going to see if the stock tires suck I bought a new set of sno tires. I have also had luck spraying the plastic liners of the wheel arches with pam, so that sno doesn't stick and build up, I also wax the hell out of my door jams so they don't freeze shut. Hope some of this rambling info helped.
#51
Thats not for heavy snow on the car. if you you just want to get it off the windshield and doors they sell telescoping scrapers with brushes built in. You can get them for around 12 dollars from most shops.
ie. Hopkins 2610XM Super Extender 52" Snowbroom
ie. Hopkins 2610XM Super Extender 52" Snowbroom
Also, in a lot of places, you need to clear your entire car of snow, not just the windows. You could get fined in NJ for not clearing snow off the roof of your car (N.J. motorists must remove snow from their vehicles, law states | NJ.com), and I think NY is thinking about a similar law.
Anyway, I just bought a set of snow tires (Continental ExtremeWinterContact) mounted and balanced on steel rims, with TPMS and the reset tool, for about $850 shipped from Tire Rack. Of course, now that I'm ready, I bet we don't get any snow this year .
#53
does anyone recommend a specific ice scraper/brush? I never thought about this with my old car but I don't want to damage my pristine Blue Sensation Pearl paint
For full snow removal form the car, I just use a broom and I'm careful to never go down to the paint. I clear enough and then use my arms and hands. The coats and gloves I wear don't scratch the paint and the car is small enough to get your arms around- almost literally!
Dan
Last edited by Shockwave199; 10-04-2010 at 12:05 AM.
#54
Scraping technique
Thanks for the pointers! Here in Wisconsin those are kind of no-brainers. Never touch the inside of your window even if it's your sleeve of your jacket. Just get the wiper surface contact area clear and then blast the heat on windshield only when the car warms up.
#56
That is definitely the truth! People forget that you need to give more space to the car in front of you. Also, I am always alarmed at the people who think slamming on the breaks is a good idea!
#58
OP- just get snow tires and drive like normal. there's really no trick involved if you have snow tires.
i suppose dont expect the people be hind you to brake as well as you do. hahaha. dont get rear-ended.
i suppose dont expect the people be hind you to brake as well as you do. hahaha. dont get rear-ended.
#59
Originally Posted by clicq
I might have misunderstood your reply, but the Snobrum is certainly for heavy snow on the car -- you might be confusing it with a similar looking roof rake tool to get snow off roofs of houses.
#60
Michelin X-Ice XI 2
According to Consumer Reports latests ratings, the best performing winter tires are the Michelin X-Ice XI 2. The Nokian Hakkapeliitta 5 came in third place and were about $60 more expensive: