...coping with the snow?

I have a Corsa D which is absolutely useless. 16 inch wheels and normal profile (195*55) tyres make far too big a contact area with the ground and theres not enough weight to add some grip. Add not very sophisticated ABS which you cant turn off and its useless!

However, I have a 99 Punto literally falling to pieces which is absolutely awesome. Horrible skinny little tyres dig down and grip properly and there are no driver aids which is ideal in this weather!

Anyone lucky enough to have a 4x4?

Mine was good.

Impreza running 432BHP, but I bought some winter tyres for it, and they are fantastic!!! I couldnt believe how much of a difference they made. They are 215/45/17 so not skinny really, but work very well. The AWD might help as well, although it isnt proper 4x4.

Dads Ford Ka is fine in in by my bini is hopeless on the icy bits.

Honda Accord - Junk in the snow.  Some Japanese f**knut decided that when the ABS Kicks in that the pedal must stay at the floor.  If I let go of the brake, the pedal still goes nuts all on its own.  No traction, nothing.

Soarer, RWD and also bloody useless.  Im effectively housebound.

Cant really comment due to the relative lack of cold stuff down here, but the few times I have been out Ive tested the brakes on my street etc to see how slippy the roads were, and they were skid worthy at 5mph if you hit the brakes even moderately hard. But in the Mazda its been fine. The micra last Feb skidded and hit the curb last year though and I doubt my driving skills had much to do with it.

Been on the motorbike (BMW F650 GS) with some dual purpose tyres the last couple of weeks and all been fine for me. If I wasnt used to riding off-road and the bike skidding about I would of freaked out a few times but as I have plenty of experiance with it snow/ice isnt that much different to lots of slippy mud

Quote from: chrisdickoMine was good.

Impreza running 432BHP, but I bought some winter tyres for it, and they are fantastic!!! I couldnt believe how much of a difference they made. They are 215/45/17 so not skinny really, but work very well. The AWD might help as well, although it isnt proper 4x4.

Good that someone here got winter tyres, it is hard to know the difference without trying

My Audi A4 (FWD) hasnt fared too badly, my tyres are low on tread anyway though and Ive had some predictable loss of grips moments. I wouldnt make any large journeys in it for sure. I cant actually reverse my car back onto my drive though, it loses all grip on the camber in the road.

Skoda Fabia MPi (the slow Petrol 1.4, last of the Skoda engines), surprisingly good so far. Its got me everywhere Ive asked it to go. Only problem is the handbrake has a tendency to seize on if its left on in wet weather for any length of time so Im having to park it in gear with the brake off atm, not enough traction to haul the back wheels along until the brake disengages in the snow.

I do miss my old 306XLD in this weather though, that thing would go anywhere. Big heavy diesel engine pressing down on the driving wheels and no driving aids, lovely.

my Audi has been ok. you can only crawl up steep hills (live on top of mountain) at 2nd gear idle speed but it gets up eventually.

Ive taken my 18" alloys with 240width tyres off and put the old 16" with 205 ones one and it is a bit better.


ABS is crap through, really death trap stuff with the snow.

Quote from: bear

Quote from: chrisdickoMine was good.

Impreza running 432BHP, but I bought some winter tyres for it, and they are fantastic!!! I couldnt believe how much of a difference they made. They are 215/45/17 so not skinny really, but work very well. The AWD might help as well, although it isnt proper 4x4.

Good that someone here got winter tyres, it is hard to know the difference without trying

To be honest if/when I move away, chances are I might invest in snow tyres if I can afford it. Its just not worth it given the lack of snow even when it snowed here in Dorset though. Id love to work in the Lake District, so yeah Id be 4x4ing it with snow tyres if I lived up there haha.

I dont have a car! I use my feet

Quote from: BeanissocoollikeI dont have a car! I use my feet

Which shoes are you using? Whats the traction like?

Quote from: BeanissocoollikeI dont have a car! I use my feet

 

Quote from: BeanissocoollikeI dont have a car! I use my feet

Or your taxi service  -)