Friends, relatives & co-workers who are afraid of winter driving

[Damn True]

A CC.com member penned this blog entry to help folks he knows. Thought some here might find it useful for that snow driving scaredy-cat in your life:

http://braketurnaccelerate.blogspot.com/2009/12/tips-for-driving-on-snow-and-ice.html

[WS6]

Thanks but I still am not ready to go right out and drive in the snow. I hate that crap, lol. It's in the low 30s and raining right now and that blows.

[Derek69SS]

Winter driving is fun, but I hate being outside in the cold... Yesterday I pulled off an awesome (unintentional, but awesome nonetheless... ) drift all the way down a cloverleaf exit ramp in my 4400lb Caprice wagon. :cool:

It was an "oh-sh*t, I'm going way too fast for this turn but braking will only make it worse" moment, very high on pucker-factor, immediately followed by a "that was f*cking AWESOME" moment.

[megaladon6]

great article! 2 points he made i think are important over all others---4x4 does not change the laws of physics, and find a parking lot to practice in.
snow is very easy to deal with, you just have to get some practice, have some finesse, and have decent tires. that's why i love to laugh at people who freak out at every snowflake.
it would be interesting to take someone who's never driven in snow, but does know how to race, and see how they do.

[Jim Nilsen]

Driving in the snow is the same as driving with too much rear wheel hp, you learn to control your right foot as a traction control device.

So go practice in the snow to be a safer track day driver !!!!

[Mkelcy]

great article! 2 points he made i think are important over all others---4x4 does not change the laws of physics, and find a parking lot to practice in.
snow is very easy to deal with, you just have to get some practice, have some finesse, and have decent tires. that's why i love to laugh at people who freak out at every snowflake.
it would be interesting to take someone who's never driven in snow, but does know how to race, and see how they do.

While I agree with this, the engine braking available in a manual transmission 4x4 vastly improves (in my experience) the ability to slow the vehicle down. Brakes are heavily biased toward the front wheels, which are also needed to steer. Between the two needs - most of the braking and steering - the front end sliding is pretty common. Engine braking seems more evenly distributed front to back, and puts less demand on limited front tire traction. I always liked the traction to slow the truck in the snow as much as I liked the ability to go.

[megaladon6]

i agree 100%, it's how i used to keep the tow trucks going. but most people don't know to do that and don't have the finesse with a clutch.