Driving on ice

[djp5]

make sure you have your wheels straight if you're going to hit the brakes hard, otherwise you will be sideways, even from low speeds (like under 10 mph)

as for engine braking, it is helpful because it is smoother than braking, and you don't risk locking your wheels even for a split second (since you don't have abs)

for instance, say you are going down a long, mid grade hill. you could either roll down it in a low gear or stay in D and brake down it. Option A, your wheels will spin and adjust regardless of surface conditions. Option B, youre braking, and say your left side hits a dry patch of pavement, which gives those tires more braking traction, which will turn you to the left....bad news.

 

[sam1]

And why does everyone seem to think the Proteges are so horrible in snow? Drove through a blizzard when I had mine, no problem. It isn't the car, its the knowledge and experiance that will get you through it.

i agree. ive driven 3 winters in the pro so far, and it has never let me down. in fact, the past 2 years i havent even had snow tires, just good old all seasons, and we usually get a TON of snow up here.

 

[sam1]

make sure you have your wheels straight if you're going to hit the brakes hard, otherwise you will be sideways, even from low speeds (like under 10 mph)

as for engine braking, it is helpful because it is smoother than braking, and you don't risk locking your wheels even for a split second (since you don't have abs)

for instance, say you are going down a long, mid grade hill. you could either roll down it in a low gear or stay in D and brake down it. Option A, your wheels will spin and adjust regardless of surface conditions. Option B, youre braking, and say your left side hits a dry patch of pavement, which gives those tires more braking traction, which will turn you to the left....bad news.

good advice, especially on mountain passes.

 

[MikeyClutch]

still waiting for snow so i can have some fun....

 

[kl_03maz]

Seems you guys have had some luck this winter...

... 2 snowbanks, 2 dents on either side of the bumper (punched back out without damage courtesy of la fist) and an smashed up engine splashguard (replaced for $20)... I unfortunately haven't been so lucky.

accident 1. First snow in a long time I'm on my way home from work I go around this corner that was banked towards the outside of the corner. Back end starts to go out on me. So I started to slow down and turn into the slide... good idea, proper reaction would have held the slide and been in complete control.... BUT... the back end caught some dry pavement and as we all know.. when there's traction in the back, that back end is going to put
that car in a straight light... with all the weight sprung up in the right side springs... when that traction hit.. the back end went left.. REAAL quick... I gave it some gas to pull the front end along.. but by then the back end had too much swing to it and then I was facing the opposite way on the street with the noise of the protege in the air a good 2 ft on the snowbank... got it off the street asap and checked for damage... dent in left side bumper (punched out) and engine splashguard (ordered and replaced). - Cost, $20 -experience gained, lots (anticipate the possibility of dry patches of road, even in the snowiest conditions).

accedent 2. - 2 lanes.. 3 cars. 1 stop light.

car A (turning left)
car B (wanting to go straight)
car C (Me, going straight)

we are all in the left lane. right lane is open.
I am late for work. Car A is being a dork and not turning when possible
Car B grows impatient just as I decide to go around them all and darts out without a turnsignal into the right lane..
And so I was left with a choice.... Car or Snowbank... knowledge and experience has always advised me to take snowbanks over other cars. And so I did... damage... dent in right side bumper repaired a la fist.

SO... moral of the story is, even the most controlled can be in a situation where control isn't an factor.

Hope you all enjoyed the storries they happened 3 days appart

 

[MikeyClutch]

hahaha nice stories, i was trying to driving down this block thats a loop, and it has quick turns, so i press the breaks, and all of a sudden i get a lock up. so now i got nothing left to do but hold the breaks and try and spin the car out towards a lil section no1 is parked. the pro decided to slide within 2 inches of a hyundai sante fe. Luckily the guy who owned the car was outside his house to see this almost fender bender and moved his car from the steepest part of the turn.