Defensive snow driving schools? (home, neighborhood, dangerous)

[golfgal]

Originally Posted by srsmn

Sorry, Golfgal, but I am a bit confused: what do you mean the anti-lock brakes "don't work"? Do you mean that you'll lock up if you tap your brakes? Because that has never happened to me...

The reason you want to tap instead of apply pressure or-- worse-- slam your brakes is because if you catch on ice, you need traction. The physics of braking (essentially) is to decrease traction until your car can't move forward anymore. It is fine to decrease your traction and roll to your stop on asphalt. On ice, though, you're at the mercy of the ice: you'll glide and spin. So, the reason to tap your brakes is to control as best you can the amount of traction your tires have on the ice, because if you lose that traction too quickly, you'll spin.

Again, this is just how I have learned it. And I do find that cars are much easier to stop on ice when you tap instead of brake regularly. So, the OP has both of our advice...he or she can take it or leave it

Anti-lock brakes do the pumping for you. It is all computerized so if you tap your brakes you don't engage the computer-which will pump your brakes faster and more evenly then you can. Do NOT tap your brakes if you have anti-lock brakes, I don't know how to make it more simple for you I guess.

[rcsteiner]

Originally Posted by ColdRedRain

Screw technique and buy some tire chains and good snow tires. Put them on your tires if it's icy outside.

Tire chains are not legal on MN highways. Maybe not legal on any MN roads.

[ColdRedRain]

Actually, according to MNDoT, they are allowed when the roads are extremely slick.

https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/...rd=tire+chains.

Studded tires are another story altogether.

[srsmn]

Originally Posted by golfgal

Anti-lock brakes do the pumping for you. It is all computerized so if you tap your brakes you don't engage the computer-which will pump your brakes faster and more evenly then you can. Do NOT tap your brakes if you have anti-lock brakes, I don't know how to make it more simple for you I guess.

Well, I'll have to check my car manual to see if I have ABS-- I assumed as much, since the car is all of 6 years old.

I am going to keep tapping the brakes, though, because it WORKS and makes it easier to stop on ice. You can drive your car however the heck you want, though....

[northstar22]

I've tried it both ways, and even with anti-lock brakes, tapping is more effective, at least for me.

[golfgal]

Originally Posted by srsmn

Well, I'll have to check my car manual to see if I have ABS-- I assumed as much, since the car is all of 6 years old.

I am going to keep tapping the brakes, though, because it WORKS and makes it easier to stop on ice. You can drive your car however the heck you want, though....

ABS Frequently Asked Questions

"Does ABS work on ice? Yes. The system's computer monitors the speed of each of the vehicle's wheels, compares them and adjusts brake pressure to each wheel to ensure the car stops in the shortest distance possible for most road surfaces.

Will pumping the brakes on ABS-equipped vehicles improve braking performance? NO! When in use, the ABS automatically varies the brake pressure much better than pumping can. Do not pump the brakes; apply force firmly. "

Anti-Lock Brakes?

"In an emergency situation, apply your brakes hard and stay on them. The more pedal chatter the better.
Don't pump your brakes. Pumping is for standard brakes. It completely robs ABS brakes of their effectiveness.
bullet Remember that ABS brakes do not help you stop quicker under most conditions. They do help you maintain steering control during braking so you can veer around obstacles.
The general rule of thumb is that if you have to avoid an obstacle, veer to the right. This way, you avoid oncoming traffic.
Don't become an over-confident driver because you have ABS. Drive prudently as you always should."


Tips for Driving with ABS (Anti-Lock Brake Systems) - NSC (http://www2.nsc.org/library/facts/abs.htm - broken link)

.. don't pump the brakes. In four-wheel ABS-equipped vehicles, pumping the brake turns the system on and off. ABS pumps the brakes for you automatically, at a much faster rate, and allows better steering control.

weather.com - Driving Safety Tips - Driving in Snow and Ice

"If you have anti-lock brakes (ABS), do not pump the brakes. Apply steady pressure to the brakes. You will feel the brakes pulse — this is normal."

[stranger46]

Well, I did ask for a defensive driving school, and just got one!!

[srsmn]

Golfgal, why is it honestly so important to you that I drive YOUR WAY?

I've been tapping my brakes for years....used to slide all the time before I started doing it-- have literally never had a problem on ice since I started using that technique. You drive your way, I'll drive mine. For every one of your 'sources', I could probably find ten that recommend the tapping technique. So you're better off to just drop it. Traction ALWAYS= good on ice; lack of traction= bad. I don't care how you create the traction, but traction is your best friend on ice, and tapping your brakes (in my experience), will do it better than braking normally. Geez.

[eastside38]

Originally Posted by stranger46

Well, I did ask for a defensive driving school, and just got one!!

If you're referring to my post, I'm glad I gave you an on-topic answer!!

[rcsteiner]

Originally Posted by ColdRedRain

Actually, according to MNDoT, they are allowed when the roads are extremely slick.

https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/...rd=tire+chains.

Studded tires are another story altogether.

Huh. I was wrong. That's nice to know, actually. Thanks!