Buy a couple bags of tube sand from the auto store and put them in your trunk and closest to the right side. That will help with some traction. Like you discovered, don't accelerate or brake during turns. Slow down before your turn and wait until after the turn to accelerate. Try a higher gear at slow speeds so less torque is applied to the tires. Anticipate what the other drivers will do and keep some distance. You have anti-lock brakes. When you use the brakes on ice and snow you will probably notice the pulsing...don't take your foot off the brake. Get a set of tire cables. You may be able to find some used ones for your tire size off craigslist or something. Practice putting them on and then carry them in your car. If there is enough snow on the road put them on the rear wheels. They will make a huge difference. Carry a good windshield scraper and brush. Keep one in the car and one in the house. Properly inflate your tires. Go practice in an empty parking lot after a snow storm.
Snow Driving Need Tips!!!
I am looking for an positive inputs from mustang lovers. 6 months back I bought used 2006 model mustang from direct person. It is in good condition.
on starting of November i bought new tires (Good Year All Season Tires). During snow I don't drive very long, distance between my office and home is just 5 miles. only when climate is good I drive for bit long. so I decided for all season tires. I am new to Ohio and i am seeing frequent snow here. During snow I drive in speed of 25 with great distance between cars. Because I am new driver, I have bit of fear. My car drives well in straight road, and when I have to take turn some time it start sliding, now all days started avoiding giving accelerator and brakes during turning to avoid sliding.
I cannot afford to buy any 4 wheel drive or changing snow tires because recently I bought tires for 900+ dollar. But again safety is necessary, more then mine I have to be careful for other people who are driving in the road. because i love mustang so without thinking anything i bought it. I know more then 50% of people drive rear wheel drive. But they have experience and confident. i need some useful tip from great drivers so that I can have more confident while driving during snow. Advance thanks to all of you for providing useful inputs!
on starting of November i bought new tires (Good Year All Season Tires). During snow I don't drive very long, distance between my office and home is just 5 miles. only when climate is good I drive for bit long. so I decided for all season tires. I am new to Ohio and i am seeing frequent snow here. During snow I drive in speed of 25 with great distance between cars. Because I am new driver, I have bit of fear. My car drives well in straight road, and when I have to take turn some time it start sliding, now all days started avoiding giving accelerator and brakes during turning to avoid sliding.
I cannot afford to buy any 4 wheel drive or changing snow tires because recently I bought tires for 900+ dollar. But again safety is necessary, more then mine I have to be careful for other people who are driving in the road. because i love mustang so without thinking anything i bought it. I know more then 50% of people drive rear wheel drive. But they have experience and confident. i need some useful tip from great drivers so that I can have more confident while driving during snow. Advance thanks to all of you for providing useful inputs!
1 - 20 of 26 Posts
Toss two tubes of sand in the back, keep your distance and brake early. Very early.
I agree with finding parking lot to practice car control when its sliding. I don't mean go crazy fast then crank the wheel. Youll just draw attention from cops if you do that. Get accustomed to how the ABS feels when it kicks in.
I agree with finding parking lot to practice car control when its sliding. I don't mean go crazy fast then crank the wheel. Youll just draw attention from cops if you do that. Get accustomed to how the ABS feels when it kicks in.
With "all-weather" tires, the best advice I can think of is to stay home when the roads are bad. Or get a set of tire cables (the modern day version of chains) or better yet a set of snow tires. I understand the budget constraints ; but if you watch Craig's List you might find some for a lot less than you think. (like $500 for a set of 4 tires/wheels, ballpark)
Other than that, you basically have to drive like there is no friction between the wheels and the road. Any maneuver that requires grip, aka friction, between the tires and the road can be a problem. Slowing down, braking gently, avoiding sudden turns, etc. are all ways to reduce the amount of grip that you need. Any time you feel acceleration -- speeding up, slowing down, going around a corner -- is when you are asking for grip from the tires ; so you need to minimize all of these things. You could go straight at a constant 100 MPH on sheer ice with no problem at all, but as soon as you try to slow down or turn you will run into trouble.
Don't expect any miracles from putting weight in the trunk; that may help a little with traction to get you going, but won't help at all with stopping or going around corners. (actually it will hurt a little)
Practicing in a parking lot with nothing to run into is a good idea. This is not just for sliding, but for getting a feel for driving with minimal friction between the tires and the road.
Other than that, you basically have to drive like there is no friction between the wheels and the road. Any maneuver that requires grip, aka friction, between the tires and the road can be a problem. Slowing down, braking gently, avoiding sudden turns, etc. are all ways to reduce the amount of grip that you need. Any time you feel acceleration -- speeding up, slowing down, going around a corner -- is when you are asking for grip from the tires ; so you need to minimize all of these things. You could go straight at a constant 100 MPH on sheer ice with no problem at all, but as soon as you try to slow down or turn you will run into trouble.
Don't expect any miracles from putting weight in the trunk; that may help a little with traction to get you going, but won't help at all with stopping or going around corners. (actually it will hurt a little)
Practicing in a parking lot with nothing to run into is a good idea. This is not just for sliding, but for getting a feel for driving with minimal friction between the tires and the road.
G
OP i feel ur pain, last year i had a 98 v6 and it was hell, sliding around every corner, doing 180's in the middle of the streets of down town, looking like a complete loser, i am beyond lucky that i didnt get a ticket or an accident....seriously!
this year had 1 snow fall so far, and i was slidin like a Boss Mustang, but Its been dry since, but today I JUST GOT some snow tires at the ford dealer, they had a special and it cost me less than 600$ mounted + balanced, goodyear ultra grip snow tires, and they also gonna send me a 70$ rebate
im hoping for a better winter this year, i wish you the best, i think putting weight in ur trunk should be better than nothing, but without snow tires it might be best just to not drive on the days that it snows really bad, can u take public transportation or get a ride or drive something else?
I wish u the best, Winter is Coming!
this year had 1 snow fall so far, and i was slidin like a Boss Mustang, but Its been dry since, but today I JUST GOT some snow tires at the ford dealer, they had a special and it cost me less than 600$ mounted + balanced, goodyear ultra grip snow tires, and they also gonna send me a 70$ rebate
im hoping for a better winter this year, i wish you the best, i think putting weight in ur trunk should be better than nothing, but without snow tires it might be best just to not drive on the days that it snows really bad, can u take public transportation or get a ride or drive something else?
I wish u the best, Winter is Coming!
Another option is to look for some snow tires on ebay/craigslist whatever. Finding a used set will still be better than any all season/all weather. Then you find a friend to mount them for beer =)
Seriously though...it is a night and day difference. I managed to find a set of blizzacks in my area for 400 bucks...and they are at 90% tread, no patches. Dry traction suffers, but when it comes to the snow and ice, they are worth every penny. I also went with a slightly different tire size to help save some cost. Some food for thought.
Seriously though...it is a night and day difference. I managed to find a set of blizzacks in my area for 400 bucks...and they are at 90% tread, no patches. Dry traction suffers, but when it comes to the snow and ice, they are worth every penny. I also went with a slightly different tire size to help save some cost. Some food for thought.
+1 on the snow tires (even used)
+1 on the tubes of sand or weight - makes a huge difference!
+1 on the tubes of sand or weight - makes a huge difference!
The best option is to buy a cheap FWD beater car for winter. The salt on the roads will eat your car alive. If car is no option, listen to what the others have said... slow down. RWD is the worst in winter driving so do go find a place you can practice. Along with the sand, get a small shovel to put in the trunk. When you get stuck, you can shovel out and put some sand down for traction. Oh, important... if you've never experienced the ABS kicking in, find a slippery place and nail the brake pedal. You want to experience that when you're not in an emergency stop situation. Keep in mind, ABS helps but your stopping distance will be longer than on a dry road. Good luck and let us know when you take up snow drifting (best winter sport ever).
Yeah a winter beater is great.....I had a $500 Toyota corolla it was bullit proof.......than I used my pt cruiser with snow tires......now I have a matrix fwd with snow tires and a jeep 4wd with snow tires........I would rather take the bus or subway than drive my mustang in the winter
Oh and I luv pulling the mustang out when the cul de sac is icy just to do donutsskep.gifcrazy2.gifcrazy2.gif
Thanks for sharing.Oh and I luv pulling the mustang out when the cul de sac is icy just to do donuts
OP - As mentioned, weight in the trunk helps. With my first Mustang, ('86 GT) I kept a set of tire chains (they were a bare bones single chain) but I could put them on quickly if I got stuck. I had all-season tires on that car. I used those chains a lot. It wasn't fun.
With my 2000 GT I wised up and bought a set of snow tires. Hindsight, I should have done that from the start. Snow tires make a huge difference.
I have a set of snow tires for my '07 GT. Snow tires are really the way to go.
...
G
an update to this post as i see its active again:
we have been having a lot of snow here, and with my snow tires + traction control, snow is no longer a factor me. I have overcome the elements!!
seriously, with my snow tires its IMPOSSIBLE for me to get stuck...I even tried piling snow all around my car on purpose, and I just plow through it like a 4x4.
As for traction control, that keeps me from sliding and I pretty much drive just like it was summer, (was weird because the other day I saw a subaru impreza (AWD) stuck in the snow while I drove past like nothing, (i offered to help but they had a truck on the way) if you dont have traction control you just gotta be a bit easy on the gas when you turn, but otherwise its no problem at all! I don't use any weight in the back.
we have been having a lot of snow here, and with my snow tires + traction control, snow is no longer a factor me. I have overcome the elements!!
seriously, with my snow tires its IMPOSSIBLE for me to get stuck...I even tried piling snow all around my car on purpose, and I just plow through it like a 4x4.
As for traction control, that keeps me from sliding and I pretty much drive just like it was summer, (was weird because the other day I saw a subaru impreza (AWD) stuck in the snow while I drove past like nothing, (i offered to help but they had a truck on the way) if you dont have traction control you just gotta be a bit easy on the gas when you turn, but otherwise its no problem at all! I don't use any weight in the back.
I been doing this too lol (though I gotta turn off traction control to get the car to slide)Oh and I luv pulling the mustang out when the cul de sac is icy just to do donuts
In a snowstorm I recently had to push an FWD ford edge up a hill so I could then drive my Mustang with snow tires up the same hill.seriously, with my snow tires its IMPOSSIBLE for me to get stuck...I even tried piling snow all around my car on purpose, and I just plow through it like a 4x4.
As for traction control, that keeps me from sliding and I pretty much drive just like it was summer, (was weird because the other day I saw a subaru impreza (AWD) stuck in the snow while I drove past like nothing, (i offered to help but they had a truck on the way) if you dont have traction control you just gotta be a bit easy on the gas when you turn, but otherwise its no problem at all! I don't use any weight in the back.
I been doing this too lol (though I gotta turn off traction control to get the car to slide)
On the other hand, I refuse to leave any stability control or traction control systems on in the snow... because they are constantly interfering with my preferred snow driving techniques... I view high slip angles and smashing snowbanks as totally acceptable.
Snow tires would be good if you have them, however, snow drivinng is more about the driver then the car or the tires. I have driven in 4+ inches of snow on nearly bald stock tires and had no issues. Yes it was slick. And yes, it was hard to start from a stop. It just comes down to knowing how to drive in the snow and driving within your limits.
Go out in the snow in a safe and contolled environment and get some practice. Learn what it feels lie to stop, start, corner and slide (front end slides and rear end slides). Once you find the limits of your car in whatever configuration it is, you can drive with confidence. Snow driving requires caution, but it shouldn't be something that causes fear. Slow and steady, brake early, don't jerk the wheel or get heavy with the gas or break. And when you are approaching hills or obsticals like deeper snow, keep your momentum up as much as possible to avoid getting stuck.
Go out in the snow in a safe and contolled environment and get some practice. Learn what it feels lie to stop, start, corner and slide (front end slides and rear end slides). Once you find the limits of your car in whatever configuration it is, you can drive with confidence. Snow driving requires caution, but it shouldn't be something that causes fear. Slow and steady, brake early, don't jerk the wheel or get heavy with the gas or break. And when you are approaching hills or obsticals like deeper snow, keep your momentum up as much as possible to avoid getting stuck.
I was meaning that driving safely in the snow is more about how you drive then the specifics of you car or tires. how many times do you see 4x4 trucks, jeeps, etc that are off the side of the road or in an accident. having a vehicle that is 'good in the snow' does not guarantee that you will be safe, and it doesnt mean you can drive like you would on dry pavement.If you have no traction you have no traction no matter how talented you are at driving. You can make the most of the traction you have but you can't make traction by driving really really good.....
....
All season tires can work in the snow just fine. Are winter tires better in the snow and ice? Sure, but they are not 100% necessary. ive lived in Michigan, Indiana, and Illinois my entire life. ive never had a set of snow tires on any vehicle. learning how to drive smart in the snow will be more valuable then any set of tires or any car.
Traction
All good advice.
I'm a big fan of sand bags in the trunk. Two 40-50 pounders one on each side up against the side walls and they don't slide around going through turns and curves.
"Play Sand" brand at Lowes or Home Depot is usually in heavy plastic bags so they will not tear when handled roughly or absorb moisture and get soggy.
Also, I keep an empty can like from Campbell's soup in a small plastic bucket filled with sand and a snap lid on it for that need for traction when on ice and stuck in a parking space. Just sprinkle under the wheels and go. My wife and I helped ourselves and a lot of other people over the years leaving work in a snow/ice event. You'd be surprised how little sand is needed to get going.
Be safe.
Bill
:wavey
All good advice.
I'm a big fan of sand bags in the trunk. Two 40-50 pounders one on each side up against the side walls and they don't slide around going through turns and curves.
"Play Sand" brand at Lowes or Home Depot is usually in heavy plastic bags so they will not tear when handled roughly or absorb moisture and get soggy.
Also, I keep an empty can like from Campbell's soup in a small plastic bucket filled with sand and a snap lid on it for that need for traction when on ice and stuck in a parking space. Just sprinkle under the wheels and go. My wife and I helped ourselves and a lot of other people over the years leaving work in a snow/ice event. You'd be surprised how little sand is needed to get going.
Be safe.
Bill
:wavey
1 - 20 of 26 Posts
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