How do I drive in the snow?

I pull into a parking lot on my list and drop the plow. Then have fun!

-Matt

 

LOL...I go in the garage and fire up my snowmobile!
Tell me Matt, how well does the Focus push a plow? Id bet with all the weight of the plow on the front, front-drive really comes in handy, eh? LOL
Octane

 

Oh great! Now it has started outside the Ontario Chapter!

-Matt

 

My dad tells me to gear down to slow down and then use the brakes once I'm going really slow.

 

EH? Them Canadians.... just jokin'. Can I ask why you got a focus though? It's kind of a "girly" car. I've never seen a man drive one, thats probobly why.

Bronco2nic, thats probobly the best way to stop in the snow (down shifting)

 

As has been said above, probably the most important factor in driving in snow/ice is not your vehicle's capabilities, but practicing and knowing your vehicle (and it's limitations) well. I'm convinced that I wouldn't have avoided some serious accidents in last year's blizzard (2'-3') if I didn't know how gently to hit the brakes, that if I turn the wheel anymore it will spin, that it's 2 tons of sliding steel and manuevers like it, etc.

My 1 hour commute to work took 3, but I made it safely--I work at a hospital, so couldn't stay home--and my old clunker got me there.

 

It was either that or a Cavalier! LoL! just kidding.

If I had it my way I would have got a Mustang but I couldn't afford one (plus the insurance). The Foci are nice cars. They are not girly. If you want to see girly, look at your avatar!

-Matt

 

Lots of replies so almost dumb to add to it...

I drive a 4x4 F250 in Portland Or. If it looks like there might be snow or ice that day, I lock the hubs and leave it in 2WD. If I hit a bad stretch of road, I slow to about 35mph and slip into 4WD.

The key thing in my opinion is smooth easy slow changes in speed and steering and braking. Sudden movements gets you a trip into the bushes. THis is where most people and especially 4WD'rs fail. They don't adjust for road conditions.

The 4WD'rs also often think that 4WD makes them invulnerable on snow and ice. 4WD helps you start moving, but has almost no advantage in braking.

Back in winter 2003/4 they had a terrible ice and snow storm. The night it started,
I drove my kids to a karate class. My manly man 4x4 would be no problem I thought. Hah, all those fools already in the bushes.

We made it OK, a couple slippery spots.

On the way home it was much much worse. We got to one spot on a slight hill with a slight tilt towards the shoulder. I hit one spot at maybe 1 mph and the truck gave me that funny butt sliding to the right feel in slow motion a few times. We also hit one patch where I could not stop even from my 1mph and we slid maybe 40 feet forward and a little towards teh shoulder. Lucky for me, all the rest of the fools were already in the bushes so there was no one in front of me to hit.

The next day it was impossible to get any traction or stopping, heck it took me 30 minutes with a ski pole and hiking boots to walk to my mailbox and back, so the 4X4 stayed in the yard for several days.

So, my adviceis, if you don't have to drive in snow and ice, don't. If you must drive, slow and easy is the way to do it. I have even commuted in my heavy, fat tire rear wheel drive American car this way with no problems.

Good Luck,

Jim Henderson

 

My avatar is way cooler than a focus lol! Focuses are kinda girly, but they aren't the worst thing. Cavaliers look better, but they have that one bowtie badge on it.

I could use a focus, it would save me a few trips to the gas station. I'd tint the windows to the max...

 

In all my years here in Northern Canada I've never had 4wd. My Old Ranger was a plain old one wheel drive s/c. Best way for me to drive in the snow is just being plain old carefull. First snowfall of the year I find an empty parking lot and play. I also have 4 winters on...no all seasons for me cept when it's not winter. My f-150..same thing 4 good winters and some play time. People think that because you have 4wd or Awd you can just boot around everyone like crazy. You may be able to zing around traffic better but you don't stop any quicker than me. Just plan ahead earlier and take your time, my 2 cents.

 

Ahhh winters great fun get alittle snow on the road and on my way home seem to always find a way to make at least $100 from it last winter end of the winter pulled some guy out in a z71 went around the corner from pavement to dirt icey road ended up stopping traffic that day 4lo and 1st idled him out. Winter time if I can back road it I will less people that are slipping and sliding into my lane more drifts but thoes are always fun.

Curtis

 

I love driving in snow too. Both of the days last winter we we got 9-11" of snow overnight and I had to drive to work the next morning were a blast.
There is nothing like breaking trail!
When it comes to snow, I would prefer to be on my Polaris but the truck takes a close 2nd!
Octane

 

It just takes practice and confidence in you driving skills. I am in the south now and I really do miss driving in the snow. At night during a snow shower with those huge snow flake lit up by your headlights. Beautiful sight.

 

Good Answer Beast 12 & considering you live at the other end of the 4 nothing 1. Were a lot Smarter than to be using the Focus to Push Snow. Besides with Snows all around they do a good job at holding the Road.

 

I personally find it amusing that in the middle of summer we are talking about snow driving.
Winter is just around the corner, boys and girls!
Octane