Where You Are Photos [2021]

Gosh, tried to drive my 2WD Yaris (with proper winter tyres) but there’s just no way.
Too much snow on the road and too little snow driving experience under my bonnett.

We will just do some shopping for food and then home.

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Just take it very slow. Don’t drive in a rush in snow. If you’re not in a rush, i find it quite enjoyable. Unless the road is very steep, then it can get gnarly.

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Yup, my approach. There’s a few inclines and no room to park though.

Once you’re used to it, small cars in the snow are great fun.

My Fiesta (with winter tires) happily passes 4WD pickups and SUVs (especially those that think 4WD means they don’t need winter tires).

The best part of snow season here is that so many people are scared to drive - the empty roads mean I can get everywhere at about the same time or faster (depending how bad conditions are) as the reduced traffic balances out the slower driving.

My last job was retail so they had a huge parking lot. First big snowfall I’d always go play in the snow after work when the lot was empty. Great way to learn what traction you do & don’t have - and a manual hand brake is always good for some fun (or terror to the unsuspecting passenger :rofl:).

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:grimacing::dizzy_face::tired_face:

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I don’t mind snow driving at all. Doesn’t faze me in the slightest.
Ice. Ice scares the poo out of me. I’ve been in a articulated lorry minding my own business and been in the horrible position of having my trailer brakes bind on a bit and looked in my mirror to have the trailer trying to overtake me. It nearly bloody did as well. foot to the floor and trying to outpace your own arse is very upsetting.

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Beats mine! Few years ago on a different set of tires:

Three way intersection, coming across the top of the “T” - far side so no road on my right. Only risk is left turners off the base leg turning to go my way. Base leg is a side street. Light is going to go Red, I’m over three times the normal, casual stopping distance away. Foot gently on the brakes from 80km/h. Get down to 40. Wheels lock up. ABS can’t help, speedo reads 0. It’s a four wheel slide.

Straight through the intersection having lost no speed. Cross walk on the far side of the intersection the tires finally catch but at this point I am clear, so I just keep going.

There was one car on the side street who was in no rush, he was having ice issues as well.

While ice, and even black ice is very common here I have never had anything like that prior or since.

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Well, we managed! :smiley:
Built a bit of experience in snowy driving…

Not too thrilled to repeat the experience, TBH.
Luckily we have food for some days now…
We will see what happens.

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No worse condition. That is the evil that shows how dangerous driving 2 ton bits of metal around really is.

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Google Photos

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Go and find a nice big carpark (with no pole lamps) and have some fun learning … :grin: just dont do what a friend of mine did… he slid the back end of his car into a snow drift … only to find a concrete bench under it … and now partially in his boot … :grin:

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That terrible wooshing sound that means you are just along for the ride …

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Don’t ask how I know this. But if you get 2 of the plastic serving trays from mcdonalds, place in front of your back wheels and drive onto them. Lock your handbrake on and you can practise drifting AND snow driving year round!! It works frighteningly well.
Again. I was a good boy. I totally never did this. That would be bad. I didnt and have not ever done this. Honestly, Promise…honest… :innocent: :crossed_fingers:

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I am a touch dissaponted this year… my car (renault megane scenic) has a automatic handbrake … :cry:
so the days of whipping the steering wheel around and hitting the handbrake are now over for me …

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Well…to be fair you can put it on… just getting it off is tricky :rofl:

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it seems to auto release as soon as you move forward… great for hill starts but crap for fun.

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Ah I see, my Mrs has a passat that works the opposite way. You can put it on but getting it off needs brakes applied.

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My favourite snow vehicles:

Long wheel base Landrover with spiked tires and snow chains when required to be fitted. A young me lurking at the back in the shadow.


Volvo oversnow carrier

Top deck, landing Ship Logistic.

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Whomever invented this should be fired!

The manual handbrake works during all other failures - loss of electronics & hydraulics.

It’s also a good anti-tailgate device to make people think your brake lights don’t work and they need to keep their distance.

And also the drift handle.

It definitely seems to be one of those “because we could and not because we should” kind of changes.

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the other good anti-tailgating technique is a quick flash of the rear fog lights… and you are right about the auto handbrakes … you cant even bump start my car …the engine has to be on to release the brake

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