Driving in Snow.... (Berlin, Colebrook, Errol: home, shop, airplane)

[bryfry]

Originally Posted by Sporin

Now I run dedicated snows all winter and wouldn't do it any other way.

Find some extra rims in a salvage yard, and put your snows on them. That way all you have to do is swap out all four wheels in the spring for warm weather driving and vice versa for winter.

[Sporin]

Originally Posted by bryfry

Find some extra rims in a salvage yard, and put your snows on them. That way all you have to do is swap out all four wheels in the spring for warm weather driving and vice versa for winter.

I buy a new car every 5 years or so and when I do I get a set of dedicated snows on steel wheels from Tire Rack (about $500 shipped to my door ready to bolt on). I get 4-5 winters out of a set and having their own rims (not to mention an impact wrench ) makes the changeover a 20 minute job in my driveway twice a year.

So about $100 per winter for the added piece of mind and margin of safety.

[bryfry]

Perfect. The Tire Rack is a great place for that. I did that once when I had my GT Mustang. Saved my big money rims from winter salt and sand. Good advice.

[paradiddle]

The first snowfall is the worst for driving because everyone seem to forget how they did it last year. I miss all the rear wheel drive cars - they are great for spinning and doing donuts in a parking lot. Front wheel drive cars won't steer if you have the wheels locked up. If you lock up the brakes you will skid into the snowbank unless you learn to get off the brake and let the it turn (just a winter driving hint). I was never afraid of driving in the snow unlike my wife. I drove a van (rear wheel drive only with no weight in the back - a bad combination) from Manchester to Rutland Vt in the middle of a storm. You have to go over Mt. Killington. It took me 3 tries to get up the mountain road , slideways...

I like the parking lot practice idea. I have never had a 4 wheel drive vehicle and I lived in Mass and NH from 55-05. I have driven on bad tires, tires with studs (very noisy), chains during the blizzard of 78, reg snows (good for rear wheel drives), all season. Most cars are FWD now and all season work just fine. My wifes Maxima had too much power so it would spin the tires easy.

If I came back I think I would get a AWD car.


ooh another winter story. I was driving from Woburn Ma to Dover, NH on Rt 95 in my van. I came over the hill and realized it was solid ice. I saw cars and trucks spun out everywhere. I just got off the gas, didn't touch the brake and steered as little as I could. I made it through unscathed. Sometimes less input is the best thing to do.

[NHHunter]

Its easy to drive in the snow, just respect it, slow down. 4x4 is the best, followed by AWD then front wheel drive.

I have driven in snow all my life and I strongly disagree with the poster that said pick ups are poor in the snow. I would take a 4x4 over an AWD anyday in the snow

[GraniteStater]

If you want good fuel efficiency than AWD is much better than 4WD. A Subaru with snow tires is excellent for driving in snow. The mpg is around 27-30 on the highway.

[Lin&Mark]

We have lived in Jamestown, NY, Buffalo, NY area, Rochester, NY area and Geneva, NY area before moving to NH. We have always only driven front wheel drive automobiles and never had a problem getting anywhere. We get a lot more snow in western NY than they get here in NH and if you just drive according to conditions, i.e., drive slower, allow more space between cars, slow down sooner for turns, etc. and use plain old COMMON SENSE, you won't have any problem. You just need to watch the other drivers. Expect them to do something stupid, because they usually do. Pump your breaks on ice if you don't have antilock brakes. Some never learn and never slow down. They are always in such a big hurry, which we believe is the major reason for accidents especially in the winter. You'll get used to it. What choice do you have if you are going to live in snow country.

[Katlakat]

silly question, anyone carry chains any longer? I faintly recall having chains in my trunk but only had to use them once. just curious.

[bryfry]

Originally Posted by Katlakat

silly question, anyone carry chains any longer? I faintly recall having chains in my trunk but only had to use them once. just curious.

As far as I know, NH does not prohibit the use of chains.

New Hampshire Statutes - Table of Contents

Section 266:50 Vehicle Tires.

There is nothing in the law that said no!

Most people don't use them, but some may in really bad areas. I can't remember the last time I saw someone, other than an off road vehicles, use them. You might see them on rescue vehicles or semi's, but that's about it. Where I live on the Cape, they are illegal for use on general roads (they tend to tear up the pavement).

[Suzet2262]

Thanks kelleybell for the links. It is funny, out here for some reason when it does decide to rain, people actually drive faster if that is possible. I never understood why people are in such a hurry while driving, if you are running late, well then you are late. Wouldnt you rather get there alive or having not hit or killed someone. Oh and the texters while driving. It is almost always some kid that doesnt even know how to fully drive yet. You drive up and down the streets in my town, I swear everyone is texting or atleast on the phone NOT paying attention to the road. It is a good thing it doesnt snow here..lol.

I am actually excited about driving in the snow. I am a pretty good driver. And no comments from the men on this board. I think some women are better drivers than men. The rain kinda freaks me out though, especially when you get that whole hydra-plane (sp?) thingy going. That is why I drive slow. I taught my daughters to drive slow and respect the road and the other drivers on it, and they should be fine. They are excited about driving in the snow too, of course I am going to be buying them an army tank so they cant hurt themselves no matter what they do on a snowy road..Lol