This is the Conversation Forum for Driving on Snow and Ice
Entry: Driving on Snow and Ice - A78763288 Author: Mina - Doing Stuff for the EG - U290 I'm not entirely sure this is ready, but let's see what happens. I was going to cover all slippery surfaces, but it started getting a bit long, so leave it like this for now. Spelling, grammer, house style-type corrections all welcome.
Just realised I forgot to look at the other entry that I'm supposed to be merging, I knew there was something I forgot.  I have to go to work, so will be back later to have another look. Am sure everyone has better things to be doing on xmas eve than reviewing entries anyway!
Hi Mina You're correct - I should be attending to other things today  At first glance this seems ideal - but I only skimmed through. It should make an excellent and timely Entry. Can you put a link to the other Entry we were discussing in EF? (when you've time) All the Best for the Season!   
Perhaps the very first suggestion would be to learn how to drive from someone with a good number of years of experience. Watch how they handle situations, listen to their advice, and be happy to listen to any other suggestions. Including such advice pages as this one. Because all advice is good advice with driving. Pre-loaded with any number of options, a careful driver can then respond and react to almost any situation, it becomes more instinctive than conscious thinking. And as the unforeseen CAN always happen, be well buckled in and if you do lose control of the car, brace firmly while steering and trying to slow as best you can. In the end,  and hold on tight.
On first read just one thing struck me as odd. ...or ABS (which will not work to the same standard as it does in normal conditions, and may cut in at the slightest pressure on the brakes when you don’t really want it).... Not sure what you mean by the ABS not working as it does in normal conditions? ABS only comes into use if your wheels start to 'lock up' under any conditions, there's no way of over-riding this affect no matter how quick you apply/release the footbrake.  I'll have a more 'in-depth' read later.  BMT Scout
As I slid down a slidey slope earlier today, deciding to just guide the slide to safety as even cadence braking wasn't working I realised I hadn't written anything about stopping. I might not get back to this today.
I am kind of a freak when it comes to icy conditions! I have lived in the mountains most of my life, my spouse work for Dept Of Transportation, all my vehicles have been 4 or all wheel drive. I watch the temp. and put chains on my front wheels ( it is easier to remove them then to repair my vehicle) I do this in self defense as much as anything! I have avoided many bad situations by being way too cautious!
In Michigan, we run into this every year. People who should no better try to drive on icy roads the same way they drove during the summer. After a couple days of almost hitting someone they remember their winter driving skills. a few points I think could be improved in the article. 1. when talking about cleaning the windows so you can see don't forget the mirrors. they sometimes get a coat of ice and can be rendered useless. The time to notice this is before you start rather than when you are alredy in motion. 2. You mentioned using water on windshields. One thing that helps is replace the windshild washer fluid with one that is designed for sub-freezing weather and keep a bit of extra in your trunk for use on mirrors,etc. 3. Make sure your radiator has enough anti-freeze that it won't freeze up while the car sits idle overnight.
and in the sedction on getting stuck -after the sentence ending 'digs you in deeper.' Insert: This is the time to remember that old carpet or kitty-litter in your trunk. Putting something like this under the spinning wheel might give you enough traction to get out of the hole.
 I'll try and look at this later.
It looks like someone already covered this topic about seven years ago. check out A1124678
That's what Mina was talking about in Posting 2.
Because of the recent news (recent for me anyway) I'll take this out of PR next time I log in as U290
No, don't do that - we need to keep the momentum up in PR, too, if the site is to transition well...
Please keep it here, Mina. Nothing will be happening to the site immediately 
Yes, please keep it here Mina
Nothing is going to happen to the site right now, unless of course everyone pulls their entries out and runs for the hills. So please leave it in. 
ok, if that's the best thing, I'll come back to this over the next few days, but priority today is to get my dogs back!
Ok. Drive carefully
Ok, I've had a good look at both entries, it seems there is quite a bit of overlap. There are a few things mentioned here that aren't covered in the other, but little enough I think that it could be addressed by an update of the other entry rather than a whole new one on such a closely related subject. As for review of this entry, here are some thoughts I had as I was reading: I would think one of the biggest differences between driving in the winter and driving in the wet (slippery) would be the event of hydroplaning, which I don't think you mention at all. Snow tires and winter tires, what is the difference? Are winter tires and all-weather tires the same thing? You mention that keeping sand in the boot will help with traction, but not how. Is it just the added weight, or would you suggest using the sand as grit for traction? You suggest letting a bit of air out of the tires. I know this is common practice for a lot of people, but when I was writing the other entry I came across several warnings NOT to do this (from driving sites, not individuals who think it's a bad idea). It increases your "bootprint", but does so at the cost of maneuverability. The ability to control your vehicle is much more important than how much tire is in contact with the surface. I didn't understand this bit: "Loose, new snow is the one time you don’t have to worry about locking your wheels up when you stop. Locked wheels will push snow forwards, creating a ramp your car will need to drive upwards to get over, adding gravity to your stopping efforts." It might create a ramp, but what stops the snow from sliding? When does the ramp actually stop your car? I would *always* worry about locking the wheels, because locked wheels will not steer if you need to avoid an obstacle. And the bit about reversing uphill - I've never tried this, but I would hesitate to suggest it to anyone but the most experienced driver. A vehicle handles differently in reverse; 99% of the time you're driving the steering wheels are in the front. When you're reversing they're suddenly in the back which affects how you maneuver. Compound that with slippery conditions and probably you're best off to park it and walk up the hill  Sorry if I've rambled on a bit. Hope at least some of it's helpful
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