Going out in the snow (ice more like!)
PSpirine - 1/12/10 at 11:03 PM
After yet another interesting day of driving on Cotswolds b-roads, whereupon the road is so slippery that if you park the car, get out and push on one
of the rear corners you can literally hand-push the rear end sideways...
A few tips for those going out (I know most people know these, but I know at least a couple who needed reminding!)
1) Keep your fuel tank topped up. We all love to play the "see whether you can wear out the Fuel Light bulb" game, but the last thing you
want is being stuck in a ditch waiting for recovery miles from civilisation, without the benefits of fuel-fired interior heat!
2) Carry a blanket in your car, cheap dirty thing in the boot is great - useful if you get cold, but also can be used as a track if you get stuck.
3) Keep an eye on your electrical usage - Your battery and alternator might be fine, but if you're defrosting + heater on full + dipped beam +
fogs + wipers + radio + heated seats, it can draw more than your alternator can put out. If you can't afford a booster pack of some sorts for
about £20, then definitely be conservative with your electricity!
4) If you've got a 4x4, can you not drive around like a **** please? You may have more traction to get up a hill, but your 4x4 drive isn't
of much use if you need to bring 3 tonnes to a sudden standstill. I got practically run off the road today by a Range Rover doing about 45mph on an
iced ungritted single track, fishtailing.
In the majority of cases, driving like your steering wheel and pedals are made of crystal will actually enhance your car's capabilities beyond
belief. Having passed numerous stuck RR Sports and X5's etc. in my 2wd Nissan Micra, I am definitely a believer that it's not all about the
car you're driving (although I am now looking for a small 4x4!).
Above all, stay safe, especially if you've got loved ones waiting for you at the other end of the journey!
Pavs
Daddylonglegs - 2/12/10 at 04:34 AM
Good sound advice there chap 
Most people do have common sense (if they let it out) but I get well miffed when I am driving around our local roads (I think they qualify as
such).
I can be tootling along at around 20mph because I drive on the gears not the brakes so I have more chance of stopping on the compacted snow/ice, when
some R-sole sits 2' off my rear bumper and then harries me to let him past. If he is stupid enough to try it I then watch nervously as he
fish-tails all over the place and gives up only to sit even closer and just more frustrated than ever!
What is wrong with these richard craniums?? I also drive a 4 x 4 and still don't hooly around in it because as already said, it may grip better,
until you need to stop 2 1/2 tons!!
Rant over
balidey - 2/12/10 at 07:55 AM
You are preaching to the converted. We on here seem like a logical, level headed lot that know that driving according to the conditions is important.
Its the average tossers in big expensive cars that think they know they can drive faster than everyone else. Infact, I've seen the worse driving
by the 'executive saloons' and 'vans', everyone in normal cars seems to be the better adapted.
Strontium Dog - 2/12/10 at 08:26 AM
Is it slippery out? I've got a Shogun and hadn't noticed!
Incedently, I have a v6 3ltr Shogun on LPG if anyone wants one! Going up in price by the snowflake though!
mangogrooveworkshop - 2/12/10 at 09:25 AM
quote:
1) Keep your fuel tank topped up. We all love to play the "see whether you can wear out the Fuel Light bulb" game, but the last thing you
want is being stuck in a ditch waiting for recovery miles from civilisation, without the benefits of fuel-fired interior heat!
Should post that on your other halfs Face book page..........got that problem all the time
David Jenkins - 2/12/10 at 12:35 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Daddylonglegs
What is wrong with these richard craniums??
Took me a few seconds to work that one out!
I had a long and scary taxi ride home from Heathrow to just south of Ipswich at midnight last night - M25 & A12. Fortunately our regular driver,
Ian, is a sensible bloke who just joined the HGV convoys and pootled along at whatever speed they were doing (around 50mph or so), as the outside lane
was starting to get a thin layer of snow.
Most drivers were also sensible, apart from 2 or 3 who thought they were invincible and were doing 70 in the outside lane... not even 4x4s - tatty old
transits, little 5-door saloons, etc.
Agriv8 - 2/12/10 at 01:30 PM
quote:
Originally posted by mangogrooveworkshop
quote:
1) Keep your fuel tank topped up. We all love to play the "see whether you can wear out the Fuel Light bulb" game, but the last thing you
want is being stuck in a ditch waiting for recovery miles from civilisation, without the benefits of fuel-fired interior heat!
Should post that on your other halfs Face book page..........got that problem all the time
Not only MRS Agriv8 that suffers from Fear of filling the car up then ...... ?
and if she goes she only put 20 quid in !!
Agriv8 - 2/12/10 at 01:36 PM
nah still can remove the images of life flassing before my eyes !
5 or so years ago bus on the way down from ski resort Livigno Itally.
Itallian bus driver 5 to 8 inches of snow on the road ! overtaking the snow Blower having a fag and talking on his mobile !!!!
regards
Agriv8
mangogrooveworkshop - 2/12/10 at 02:36 PM
Ive done those roads in the summer not the winter and they are difficult enough
quote:
Originally posted by Agriv8
nah still can remove the images of life flassing before my eyes !
5 or so years ago bus on the way down from ski resort Livigno Itally.
Italian bus driver 5 to 8 inches of snow on the road ! overtaking the snow Blower having a fag and talking on his mobile !!!!
regards
Agriv8
Peteff - 2/12/10 at 03:33 PM
And switch your phone off before you get in the car to save your battery! I went out shopping today (walking as it's only just up the road) and a
car was poddling up the road with a line of traffic behind him. I couldn't believe my eyes when he stopped to answer his phone and blocked
everybody behind him so they all had to slither about to get going again
dlatch - 2/12/10 at 06:20 PM
and to the woman driving down the A41 this morning with two flat front tyres while on the phone..........
stop driving you are just too stupid to be behind the wheel