I have never driven in the snow, going to DC, HELP !

[steve2470]

It may snow there on Sunday. Maybe not. I will be driving a rental. I need to know concrete tips on driving SAFELY in the snow. I am assuming and hoping they are putting snow tires on their rentals. BTW, when do you need chains ?

[candy]

1. Forget the chains---good snow tires will do it.

[Left Is Write]

2. I can't imagine needing chains in DC.

I lived in the Upper Midwest for 34 years and never needed chains.

I can't really describe how to drive in snow - it's really something you have to be shown or learn for yourself. We didn't use "snow tires" on our car in Minnesota; we had all-weather tires (I remember my dad putting the snow tires on in the winter when I was a kid, but I've never used snow tires in the twenty years I've been driving).

It's easier to drive in snow than on ice.

[LisaM]

3. Chains are for the mountains and often aren't even allowed in cities

Have the following: small bag of rock salt, a flare, flashlight w/batteries, and a blanket. They may provide some of that stuff. Drive SLOWLY and do NOT tailgate. Use your lights even in the daylight. Finally, if you get stuck in a ditch, you can use a floor mat to get out. Put it in front of the stuck tire (make sure the car is turned off) and you can drive right up it. This is amazingly effective. If you skid, turn back into the skid. If you have anti-lock breaks, don't pump them. And allow a little extra time.

[SmokingJacket]

I always test the brakes some distance from the intersection

just to see if I'm going to slide right through it.

Go easy, go slow. No fast moves with the steering wheel.

I've only ever used chains while going up mountains in the snow.

[ewagner]

4. It's not too complicated

Drive slowly.

don't make sudden moves with the steering wheel, make GRADUAL moves.

don't brake or accellerate too quickly.

when braking "pump" the brake: hit it, back off, hit it again so you slow down in stages.

give yourself LOTS of distance between yourself and other traffic. Alway ASSUME the driver in front of you is an idiot and doesn't know how to drive on snow.

It's always good to know exactly where you are going so that you can plan for lane changes and exits well in advance.

Front-wheel drive is pretty good in snow....if you skid remember to steer in the direction you want the car to go and DON'T SLAM ON THE BRAKES!!!!

You'll do fine.....

[AllegroRondo]

5. Basic snow driving tips

1- take it slow, never go so fast that the car may get away from you

2- give yourself LOTS of distance behind any other cars

3- never brake and steer at the same time. slow down first, then make the turn

4- never come to a complete stop if you dont have to, especially on a hill

5- if you go into a skid (and you will) dont hit the brakes. keep the wheels rolling and try to regain control.

[MrScorpio]

6. You won't need chains to drive in the city

A good pair of all weather tires will do you.

Don't tailgate and watch the guy in front of you. It he slips and slides, so will you.

When turning corners, watch your rear end for fishtailing. Slowly turn in the direction of the spin until you gain control

Never slam on your brakes, slowly pump them if your're in an icy area, watch for loss of control

If you find yourself stuck in a bank, use drive and reverse to rock yourself out, try not to spin your wheels

keep a snow shovel in your trunk for good measure.

Becareful and always look out for the other guy.

[achtung_circus]

7. It doesn't matter whether you have all seasons, snow tires

or 4 wheel drive. None of those affect stopping distance significantly.

Give yourself room to stop.

Have patience.

[steve2470]

8. I just printed this, thanks so much ! nt

[madinmaryland]

9. Its supposed to be near 40 here on sunday,

with snow showers. The roads should be only wet. If you can drive in rain, you will be fine. Unless you are outside of DC (to the west) late on Sunday night, you might hit some icy patches.

[Blue-Jay]

10. Go slow. Don't make any sudden movements.

It's easy when you get the hang of it.

[Redstone]

11. How about taking a taxi

instead of being a Highway Menace?

I don't mean to sound insulting, but if you don't know how to drive in the snow, you probably shouldn't--if it's short trip rather than you're moving there, that is.

Redstone

[MissB]

12. Probably the best advice on this thread

hands down. Steve, if you don't absolutely need to drive and there is some serious snow on the road then this weekend is not the weekend to learn.

Turning the wheel in the direction of the way you are skidding is counter-intuitive and (generalizing here) most people don't remember that when the car suddenly spins out of control on snow. Unless you have experience driving in the snow, that is.

[DebJ]

13. stay away from SUV's!! I spent two winters ago driving from

Frederick, Md to DC to work, in one of the worst winters there in a long time. In the course of about 8 weeks, I saw at LEAST 8 SUV's overturned (and a UHaul perched on a guard rail).

Just stay away from everyone. I always drive really slow and let people pass.

[AllegroRondo]

19. Very true

I drove from St Louis to Chicago the day before Thanksgiving last year, when that big storm hit. It seemed like nearly every vehicle in the ditch was an SUV. People seem to think they are invincible in them and dont take basic driving precautions - like slowing down in snow.

[fit4life]

14. Is it front-wheel or rear-wheel drive?

The way a vehicle handles depends on which wheels are the powered ones.

[steve2470]

15. I don't know yet. I will ask. I'd like to get cabs.

The main thing against cabs is the cost factor. Is there a shuttle bus between BWI airport to downtown DC ? Then, my son and I are going to be going all over DC looking at stuff.

[underpants]

16. You can go as fast as you want just don't turn

I had a car that you could do that in.

[eek MD]

17. You should be fine....

If there weather is bad, make sure you try not to Speed up, or slow down in a hurry if at all possible.

Light on the gas, Light on the brake, and leave a good amount of following distance incase traffic comes to a halt.

Usually if the weather's bad enough to be treacherous, there's so many accidents anyway that traffic will be crawling. :)

[huskerlaw]

18. I second all of the above

When teaching me how to drive, my stepdad said, "you can go as fast as you want...as long as you don't need to stop or turn!" In other words, the straight line is easy, it's making the car do something that becomes problematic.

I think the only advice I have to add is if the roads are icy (which you will know by pre-testing in the safe, relatively empty parking lot of the rental car place), when you are coming towards an intersection, scan ahead for options. In other words, know what your options are should you not be able to stop. I recommend curbs and shrubbery.

Oh, also, if you get stuck in a snow drift and can't get enough traction to get out...as a last resort, stick the floor mats under the tires. This will likely ruin the mats (or at least make them quite dirty), but trust me...it works!

[DancingBear]

20. Just drive like shit

Trust me, you'll fit right in. :)