Driving in the Winter Snow. (transfer, recommendation, dry)

[EscapeCalifornia]

Where is ice most likely to be hiding? I know anywhere shady like under an overpass or on a bridge that can cool faster than the Earth are prime locations, but is there anywhere else I should watch out for?

[sunsprit]

COFlower ... that's quite the leap of logic, trying to compare using M+S tires on a lightweight FWD "beater Honda" in winter driving with a heavy truck based chassis SUV Chevy Tahoe ... and the Tahoe having oversize rims for cosmetic purposes, to additionally complicate the handling/traction issues. Simply no way there's any basis for comparison ... two entirely different types of vehicles, suspension, etc. ......



EscapeCA ... ice is likely to form anywhere on the road surface where the snow is melted and then refrozen ....

it can melt due to heat from the sun during the day on the snow surface

it can melt due to seasonal dry and sunny days warming the road surface, upon which the snow then falls in a cold snap ...

it can melt due to the pressure of driving on it ...

it can melt due to road salts being deposited on the surface from passing vehicles ...

In short, the places where the ice layer can build up is almost everywhere that snow has fallen on the roadway. You should anticipate the potential for an ice layer anytime under a snowfall, or exposed on the snow surface. Keep in mind that it doesn't take a thick layer of ice to cause traction problems, it can happen with a very thin layer which you're driving on.

[jazzlover]

Originally Posted by sunsprit

COFlower ... that's quite the leap of logic, trying to compare using M+S tires on a lightweight FWD "beater Honda" in winter driving with a heavy truck based chassis SUV Chevy Tahoe ... and the Tahoe having oversize rims for cosmetic purposes, to additionally complicate the handling/traction issues. Simply no way there's any basis for comparison ... two entirely different types of vehicles, suspension, etc. ......



EscapeCA ... ice is likely to form anywhere on the road surface where the snow is melted and then refrozen ....

it can melt due to heat from the sun during the day on the snow surface

it can melt due to seasonal dry and sunny days warming the road surface, upon which the snow then falls in a cold snap ...

it can melt due to the pressure of driving on it ...

it can melt due to road salts being deposited on the surface from passing vehicles ...

In short, the places where the ice layer can build up is almost everywhere that snow has fallen on the roadway. You should anticipate the potential for an ice layer anytime under a snowfall, or exposed on the snow surface. Keep in mind that it doesn't take a thick layer of ice to cause traction problems, it can happen with a very thin layer which you're driving on.

sunsprit brings up another good point. Most people think that the colder it is, the slicker the road. The truth is ice is slickest from just below freezing to just above. Why? Because it is the WATER film on top of the ice that makes it slicker. That water can form when the ice melts just a little from sun, ambient temperature, etc., or it can form just from the friction and pressure of your tire on the ice surface. I would much rather drive a snowpacked or icy road when it's about 10 below zero or colder because there isn't nearly the water film on the ice surface. Daytime winter temperatures (right around freezing) are really common in the lower elevation areas of Colorado in winter--that's why snowpacked and icy roads in those areas can very often get so slick. Many times the high passes are completely snow and ice covered, but are not nearly as treachorous as those "down country" roads that are thawing off.

[Charles]

The scary experience I had involved no snow at all. It was freezing fog. I was driving to work from my home near Monument to Schreiver AFB. It was fine near Monument because it was either snow or dry. When I got to Falcon, the road still looked dry but it was extremely icy. It came from freezing fog. I turned around and went home.

[COflower]

COFlower ... that's quite the leap of logic, trying to compare using M+S tires on a lightweight FWD "beater Honda" in winter driving with a heavy truck based chassis SUV Chevy Tahoe ... and the Tahoe having oversize rims for cosmetic purposes, to additionally complicate the handling/traction issues. Simply no way there's any basis for comparison ... two entirely different types of vehicles, suspension, etc. ......

I used to drive trucks and had my Suburban. Anyhow, yes, M+S rated tires are just fine here and anything more, not needed.

My Suburban did just fine with lifters and M+S tires as does my current car, a 1993 Honda.

How you drive them is up for interpretation though. I am pretty darn conservative. Because I have had a 4x4 Suburban not to mention two previous trucks, both that had 4x4 (man I miss them but for the gas maileage) I didn't drive them much different than I do my Honda. Slow and go...I've driven all over this state in various vehicles and I have to tell you, 4 wheel drive or front wheel drive, you an only get to your destination if you accept the rules of the road and not drive like a dumb arse.

M+S tires are going to be just fine for most people. I don't use logic here, I use common knowledge and common sense. Studded snows are not needed in Colorado, not even if you live in the mountain areas. My then boyfriend proved that as well as my best friend who lives up there. Good tires are all you need and nothing as fancy as studded snows.

[Mike from back east]

Here are pix of what Charles is speaks of: lovely on trees; ugly to drive on. Nothing like it back east, I've a folder of Frost Pix.

[GEEKAFIED]

YUP a dandy set of good studded snows and take your time and you should do fine. Studded snows are legal in Colorado, and highly recommended, and as the others have said, just slow down and leave yourself ample time to take it easy on getting where you're going.

[EscapeCalifornia]

How do snow tires perform on dry pavement? Do they wear a lot faster? Do they handle terribly? Do they hurt fuel economy?

[Charles]

Originally Posted by EscapeCalifornia

How do snow tires perform on dry pavement? Do they wear a lot faster? Do they handle terribly? Do they hurt fuel economy?

They seem a little louder. Not sure if they wear out faster. Didn't feel any handling differences but I don't push it when I drive. Gas mileage hasn't gone down but I've only taken two or three data points (gas fillings).

Winterforce Tires
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....ireModel=M%2BS

1999 2WD Dodge Durango
1998 4WD Ford F-150 Supercab

[Mike from back east]

Okay, so much for driving in winter snow. How about driving in summer snow?