Snow [was Tyres]

[Hightower]

Originally Posted by Dirk Diggler

You can't beat a little snow to start a pissing contest.

Hmmm Yellow Snow

[Poly]

Originally Posted by chewy

Alot of it is people not knowing how to drive, I've followed a few 4x4's going down snow covered banks using their brakes and skidding rather than using a low gear and letting the engine do the braking.
Granted on ice it is a level playing field.

That problem is not unique to 4x4s.

Actually I quite believe the tyres have a lot to do with it too. Probably most 4x4s on our roads never go off road and so have 'road' tyres on them. That's not unreasonably given the normal weather etc in most parts of the UK. Since these are worst conditions in many places for a long time its not really surprising if people are being cautious. Tyres are so crap on my FWD car that I invested in snow chains a few weeks ago. So far that investment has prevented significant further snow fall!

Oh and 4x4 does help you stop, you use the gears.

I'm not saying it won't help especially slowing on a hill etc - but in sudden stopping situations it would be interesting to do a direct comparison with 2wd and 4wd engaged on the same car. Slowing down and an 'emergency stop' are quite different.

You weren't there! 2mph is ridiculous. If you can't drive it, walk!

you're quite right I wasn't there - and I was really just being devils advocate; we can't all be perfect drivers and for many this will be a completely new phenomenon largely hyped up by the media who make us expect disaster! If you'll excuse the stereotype - I wonder how you would feel if Mrs Hightower (who I am sure is actually a full competent offroad 4x4 driver) was picking her way home slowly (to make sure you get the car back and don't take the piss for not being able to drive) and then otherpeople were "burning her up".

We've had it for a few weeks up here now - and what amazes me is that people still don't have a spade in the back of the car. A discussion in the office revealed that most people were driving (distances which were too far to walk if they got stuck) with no blanket/sleeping bag, no spade, no food, etc. Some of them didn't even have gloves, sensible footwear or a hat! Has the mobile phone made us all too complacent about help being immediately at hand?

[mdt]

Originally Posted by Polwart

Has the mobile phone made us all too complacent about help being immediately at hand?

yep as we all live in a nanny state.

Been watching all the news footage of drivers being interviewed and it is the same every time they put the window down.

1: “the council should have had this all cleared”
2: “it is a disgrace”
3: “they knew it was coming”

My response would be.
1: you are not at fault then for trying to drive in 8” of snow in your small people carrier?
2: it is January, it is winter, this is what happened.
3: so did you know it was coming.

[jwalker]

Hehe, I'm with you mdt... I'm just waiting for the snow to be caused by global warming.... so leave yer car at home and there'll be less snow.

[ScotSeats]

Originally Posted by Hightower

Yeh and I knew I'd get this response from someone.....You weren't there! 2mph is ridiculous. If you can't drive it, walk!

Hightower

I totally agree the speed some people seem to see necessary to drive in in the snow is crazy especially people in 4x4's, some of them kitted out for off roading (in my experience anyway)

[John Kennett]

I hope that everyone has been taking the opportunity to do some handbrake turns in Sainsburys car park. This is actually compulsory, and if you haven't done it yet please don't leave it too late!

[Nasher]

Originally Posted by John Kennett

I hope that everyone has been taking the opportunity to do some handbrake turns in Sainsburys car park. This is actually compulsory, and if you haven't done it yet please don't leave it too late!

It's a good idear to try this sort of thing in an empty car park when you can, as a learning exercise for dealing with an unexpected skid out on the road.

Nasher.

[biffer]

Originally Posted by John Kennett

I hope that everyone has been taking the opportunity to do some handbrake turns in Sainsburys car park. This is actually compulsory, and if you haven't done it yet please don't leave it too late!

that's ok till you hit an unseen kerb, been there, done that

[mdt]

Originally Posted by John Kennett

I hope that everyone has been taking the opportunity to do some handbrake turns in Sainsburys car park. This is actually compulsory, and if you haven't done it yet please don't leave it too late!

once you have perfected this you can step up to the power slide.... FWD need not apply.

as above watch out for kerbs.... they can hurt.

[Downhilldai]

Originally Posted by John Kennett

I hope that everyone has been taking the opportunity to do some handbrake turns in Sainsburys car park. This is actually compulsory, and if you haven't done it yet please don't leave it too late!

Found a chap doing handbrake turns in an Astra down my road a few days ago. I expected it to be a young lad in a baseball cap with seat belt pads and a sub-woofer, but when I got close, it was a chap in his 40s. He had a sheepish look on his face, which turned into a big grin when I gave him the 'thumbs up'

[bedajim]

Originally Posted by Downhilldai

Found a chap doing handbrake turns in an Astra down my road a few days ago. I expected it to be a young lad in a baseball cap with seat belt pads and a sub-woofer, but when I got close, it was a chap in his 40s. He had a sheepish look on his face, which turned into a big grin when I gave him the 'thumbs up'

You've got to stop hanging around carparks at night

[Hightower]

I've just come home from work and did a handbrake turn down out cul-de-sac. Did a neat 180 wacked her into reverse and staight up the drive When I got out there where some kids in a neibours garden standing opened mouthed in amazment

I love this stuff!