Omega Owners Forum

Chat Area => General Car Chat => Topic started by: Aundie on 28 November 2010, 22:04:29

Title: Snow!
Post by: Aundie on 28 November 2010, 22:04:29
Any tips on driving in snow? i'm getting no grip at all!
Title: Re: Snow!
Post by: Raymienets on 28 November 2010, 22:06:35
been told to let the tyres down slightly and load the boot. Hate the miggy in this weather.
Title: Re: Snow!
Post by: Aundie on 28 November 2010, 22:10:32
let tyres down yesterday helped a bit but not enough to get out my street!
Title: Re: Snow!
Post by: Elite Pete on 28 November 2010, 22:25:43
If its an auto press the snow button ;)
Title: Re: Snow!
Post by: Tina on 28 November 2010, 22:27:59
Mick has told me to carry a shovel in the boot  :-?  :-? :o


Title: Re: Snow!
Post by: fiend61 on 28 November 2010, 22:29:27
watch other silly people slide about from the comfort of your house  ;) :y
Title: Re: Snow!
Post by: Kneepad on 28 November 2010, 22:34:44
Quote
Any tips on driving in snow? i'm getting no grip at all!

Snow chains.  :y

What's the difference between a snowman and snowwoman?














Snowballs.   :o
Title: Re: Snow!
Post by: feeutfo on 28 November 2010, 23:46:04
Quote
Quote
Any tips on driving in snow? i'm getting no grip at all!

Snow chains.  :y

What's the difference between a snowman and snowwoman?













Snowballs.   :o

Very old and very silly, but still I chuckle  ;D

IMO, get used to the brakes on a straight bit of road with nobody behind, brake test often on varying levels of snow and ice or each time the conditions change, say from gritted road to clear but not gritted to packed snow to un packed snow. The grip changes each time so test to see what grip is there. Feel the abs cut in then back off the pedal on each surface change, find the pedal pressure that works best by pressing progressively harder then releasing instantly they lock up.

Don't do what I did last year and sail straight through a red light with abs banging away and not slowing down AT ALL. I backed off the brakes but nowhere near enough, because I hadn't familiarised myself with the bake pedal grip level first.

Same with the power, test on a straight bit when it's quiet and nobody around then it's familiar when applying on a corner, short and progressively firmer presses on the power to asses grip.

But generally, low tyre pressure, weight in the boot, carry a shovel. It's sup rising how a small lump of snow in front of the wheel can cause enough resistance to make the wheels spin and your stuck. Often takes two seconds to dig it out and away you go.

IMO anyway.....
Title: Re: Snow!
Post by: Kneepad on 28 November 2010, 23:55:22
Quote

Very old and very silly,


Me in a nutshell   :D
Title: Re: Snow!
Post by: Rods2 on 29 November 2010, 00:27:48
Has anybody had any experience of 'snow socks' that you get get for about £50 on Ebay and Amazon etc?
Title: Re: Snow!
Post by: aaronjb on 29 November 2010, 00:50:33
Not personally, but I'm told by a couple of folks on the MR2 forum that they perform amazingly well - you just have to remember to take them off once you get off the snow, otherwise they self destruct within miles.

Clearly the Ambulance Service think they're a good idea: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-11853611
Title: Re: Snow!
Post by: TheBoy on 29 November 2010, 09:21:44
Weight in the boot.  Ensure the petrol tank is always brimmed (for the weight, and also in case of emergency). If you have LPG, keep that brimmed as well for the weight.

All the things you should be carrying in the boot this time of year - shovels, bag of sand (must get some  :-[), big coats all add weight to back as well.  I used to have an old TD engine block that I used to put into my old tractor's boot (chipped, with harsh power delivery).

As to driving, snow mode for auto, 3rd gear for manual, generally better with TC on, though not always. Gently use of all controls.
Title: Re: Snow!
Post by: Welung666 on 29 November 2010, 10:11:00
If you have a Netto nearby then they have 25kg bags of de-icing salt on sale for £6.50 :y
Title: Re: Snow!
Post by: tunnie on 29 November 2010, 12:05:36
i filled by boot full of bags of salt and other random heavy items from the garage last year, before i had an LPG tank in the boot. Full tank of fuel helps.

I was stuck on the M40 when we had that snow last year, but loads of people got stuck in the services, back end slid out a bit when i was leaving, but had no major issues.

These days I walk to work, but not sure how well a Mercedes Mini-bus work in snow  :-/
Title: Re: Snow!
Post by: Seth on 29 November 2010, 14:17:49
Quote
i filled by boot full of bags of salt and other random heavy items from the garage last year, before i had an LPG tank in the boot. Full tank of fuel helps.

I was stuck on the M40 when we had that snow last year, but loads of people got stuck in the services, back end slid out a bit when i was leaving, but had no major issues.

These days I walk to work, but not sure how well a Mercedes Mini-bus work in snow  :-/


The old 608s were damn good in the snow, though the later 709s were nowhere near as good.
Too light on the back end! :D
Title: Re: Snow!
Post by: Lazydocker on 29 November 2010, 18:28:50
All the answers are here! Snow chains are (obviously) the best answer but also the most difficult to get hold of at short notice!

Tyre pressures (which I haven't dropped yet as the only snow I've encountered today is the 3-4" on my road), weight in boot and gentle, smooth use of all controls :y :y
Title: Re: Snow!
Post by: Psychoca on 29 November 2010, 18:42:59
If you are driving manual forget 1st gear, do everything gently, decent weight in the boot and remove the lead from your foot, good tread on your back tyres... etc etc etc...

Title: Re: Snow!
Post by: TheBoy on 29 November 2010, 19:00:36
Quote
If you are driving manual forget 1st gear, do everything gently, decent weight in the boot and remove the lead from your foot, good tread on your back tyres... etc etc etc...

And front tyres - what speeds up eventually needs to slow down ;D
Title: Re: Snow!
Post by: Lazydocker on 29 November 2010, 19:18:42
Quote
Quote
If you are driving manual forget 1st gear, do everything gently, decent weight in the boot and remove the lead from your foot, good tread on your back tyres... etc etc etc...

And front tyres - what speeds up eventually needs to slow down ;D

I tend to use even more engine braking in the snow... In fact, I don't actually use the brakes that much ;)
Title: Re: Snow!
Post by: TheBoy on 29 November 2010, 19:25:12
Quote
Quote
Quote
If you are driving manual forget 1st gear, do everything gently, decent weight in the boot and remove the lead from your foot, good tread on your back tyres... etc etc etc...

And front tyres - what speeds up eventually needs to slow down ;D

I tend to use even more engine braking in the snow... In fact, I don't actually use the brakes that much ;)
My old boss used the car in front. 3 times.
Title: Re: Snow!
Post by: Kneepad on 29 November 2010, 20:25:11
Quote
Quote
Quote
Quote
If you are driving manual forget 1st gear, do everything gently, decent weight in the boot and remove the lead from your foot, good tread on your back tyres... etc etc etc...

And front tyres - what speeds up eventually needs to slow down ;D

I tend to use even more engine braking in the snow... In fact, I don't actually use the brakes that much ;)
My old boss used the car in front. 3 times.


Saving a small fortune on brake pads no doubt.  ;)
Title: Re: Snow!
Post by: Aundie on 30 November 2010, 13:03:06
will the snow button do anything for reverse gear! still stuck in drive!
Title: Re: Snow!
Post by: Lizzie_Zoom on 30 November 2010, 13:09:23
Quote
will the snow button do anything for reverse gear! still stuck in drive!


No I'm afraid! :( :(

Use sacks, wooden planks, etc, and just dig! :D :D ;)
Title: Re: Snow!
Post by: wayneb on 30 November 2010, 15:30:50
Hey i am having loads of fun in my street we live on a hill and its impossible to get up it but boy we have fun trying t/c off mine works better  :-/  :y
Title: Re: Snow!
Post by: Del Boy on 30 November 2010, 16:00:16
Been having some major fun in the van today with handbrake and ESP off, mind you though, I wonder what the M3 would be like? 420 BHP must surely be fun (suicidal)  ;D
Title: Re: Snow!
Post by: zarehs on 30 November 2010, 18:15:23
i been getting grating noises from my brakes when driving in the snow, and when i am braking, the car does not seem to want to stop! am I braking too hard?
Title: Re: Snow!
Post by: Andy B on 30 November 2010, 18:19:06
Quote
i been getting grating noises from my brakes when driving in the snow, .......

and pulsing of the pedal? Could be ABS doing what it's supposed to be doing. If so, then yes, you need to be more progressive & more gentle when braking.
Title: Re: Snow!
Post by: zarehs on 30 November 2010, 18:55:00
me and my heavy foot!  I have to say, I don't like driving this car in snowy / icy conditions.
Title: Re: Snow!
Post by: cem_devecioglu on 30 November 2010, 19:49:22
Quote
Quote
Quote
Quote
If you are driving manual forget 1st gear, do everything gently, decent weight in the boot and remove the lead from your foot, good tread on your back tyres... etc etc etc...

And front tyres - what speeds up eventually needs to slow down ;D

I tend to use even more engine braking in the snow... In fact, I don't actually use the brakes that much ;)
My old boss used the car in front. 3 times.

 ;D ;D
Title: Re: Snow!
Post by: cem_devecioglu on 30 November 2010, 19:49:45
nobody tried snow tires ? :-/
Title: Re: Snow!
Post by: Aundie on 30 November 2010, 20:41:28
i'd try snow tyres but i cant move ma car to get them!