by Warren » Feb 7, 2003 @ 7:54pm
Today it's snowing really bad. It's been going on for about 6 hours, and we have about 6", so that's a steady pace. We were released from school 3.5 hours early today (wonderful!), but the stupid towns haven't paved the roads AT ALL. I had to go 15-30mph the whole way. I mean, there were tons of plows going up and down the streets, did they forget that they have to LOWER the plow for it to move the snow? But anyway, I was driving down the main road when this idiot in a giant pickup truck guns it to cut me off, to save those valuable milliseconds. Well, he pulled out into the road, and tried turning left, but couldn't and went straight into the snow bank. I had to slam on the brakes, and started sliding sideways. I thought I was going to hit him so I gently lifted the handbrake and came to a stop about a foot from him. That was pretty scary, I wasn't in the mood to get into an accident. The guy behind me luckily was able to stop comfortably. I had to back up, and go around the truck, who was waving me to pass him. The rest of the way was slippin' 'n' slidin', it is reassuring to see that EVERYONE else is doing the same thing so you don't feel stupid. The main thing about sliding is NEVER panic, that screws you up, makes you jerk the wheel, and oversteer and everything. My dad spun out today, and I know it's because he panics wildly at the smallest thing. Also, when I was going home, on the main road, no one was around me, and the road was dead straight, so I decided to spin the wheels and top out in 5th. I did it, but the rpms wouldn't go past 5000, but I got up to 120mph. That was fun, and it teaches you how to handle a car when you basically have very little control. You learn when to and when not to hit the clutch (or put into neutral) when sliding, because at higher speeds, disconnecting the engine from the wheels can make you fishtail. So, for driving in snow, the main thing is not to be over confident (you see SUVs spinning wildly because the owners think they can just plow through it all, but my front wheel drive car can handle the snow MUCH MUCH better than they can), drive at a reasonable speed (35mph is usually the fastest in moderate snow), and never oversteer, that leads to DEATH, just turn the wheel very gently and keep a keen feel on the wheels. To know about the state of the wheel spin, listen to the wheels, watch the tachometer (if it revs more than normal, you're slipping), feel how hard it is to move the steering wheel, if it seems easier than usual, slow down; and if the back wheels slip (which is the WORST, and is what happens to rear wheel drive cars), move the steering wheel VERY gently, and let off the gas petal, DO NOT hit the clutch or put into neutral, you will fishtail. You don't have to be an idiot to know if you're sliding, but you have to know how you're sliding to know what to do. Most people don't, and they just slam the brake and slide and crash. In December, my aunt visited, and I drove her to some place while it was snowing hard (she lives in San Diego...), and she was freaking out whenever the car would slide, but was astonished that I'd remain so calm and would be able to regain control like it was nothing. I always find it so comical when whole states, like Florida (ha, Moose.) shut down with a little flurry, just try drivin' up here with 6" of unplowed roads.
Cold Weather
