Snow Rescue

[Rannsachair]

Headed into Glasgow today from my home in Lochgilphead, a few inches of snow and mayhem!

Someone had parked their Golf GTI in a hedge partially blocking the road. So out with a strop and the winch had him out in a minute.

It was surprising how many modern 4x4's I saw stuck....some may have been 2wd derivatives of what I thought were 4x4's. Guess they wished that had spent the little extra.

 

[Bryan Williams]

Trouble is they still have summer tyres on

 

[GW8IZR]

Someone had parked their Golf GTI in a hedge partially blocking the road. So out with a strop and the winch had him out in a minute.

Its good fun isn't it :-) its the only time of the year my 90 passes anything but tractors and old donkeys ..

It was surprising how many modern 4x4's I saw stuck....some may have been 2wd derivatives of what I thought were 4x4's. Guess they wished that had spent the little extra.

Our family car is a 270Hp 4x4 yet it no doubt will/would be pretty poor in the snow and ice, its got wheels as big as a Fergie and tyres wider than a bus that look like they were painted on the rims .. great 99% of the time but right now its LR time.

Funnily enough though, my rear wheel drive BMW estate has normal 16'' wheels and the profile isn't particularly wide, its fine in the snow and on the muddy fields, even tows the small Ifor without too much hassle, its not all about the car.

 

[Robotstar5]

Light covering of snow this morning, but the roads were clear, the M74 sounds bad.

 

[Rannsachair]

The real trouble is they all ran out of talent.

No talent required on my part: Bf Goodrich mud terrains, traction control, a limited slip diff and anti-stall make driving in the snow too easy.

 

[MCKDAVID]

fresh snow, honestly doesn't bother me that much, and frankly never seen the problem.. drive slower, anticipate farther / longer, smooth on the steering & avoid sudden movements, use engine braking as far as practical and anticipate the stupidity of the other drivers by giving them a wide berth as far as possible.... most of it's simple / basic technique and the rest pure common sense.
I've always been more concerned with the next day after a partial thaw and then refreeze. That's when it get really twitchy, as you have no idea what's under it.

The best technique for driving in the snow / ice is park up and go to the pub and wait for the thaw... note I'm not advocating drink driving, you'll have to wait til your sober...

 

[Rannsachair]

Without getting personal in any way - I've seen that get many people in trouble...

None of that stuff helps when you're on ice with a covering of snow and a church full of nuns holding boxes of kittens jumps out in front of you

It might get you moving, but the instant traction breaks you're under control of gravity (even traction control - once you're sliding it thinks you're not moving so it has a snooze).

You are absolutely correct. In most places yesterday the snow was deep enough to get traction. The car off the road was on a hill where the snow was on ice, it was difficult to stand up.

I have done offloading for years, been stuck plenty of times, but the Landy never struggled once in the snow, with cars stuck and sliding on most inclines. The most important skill is watching other vehicles, so they do not slide into you, usually coming up too fast behind me then braking.

I have driven through a Minnesota winter in a rear wheel drive auto chevrolet, that required some skills not required with a Landy.

 

[Kent]

Headed into Glasgow today from my home in Lochgilphead, a few inches of snow and mayhem!

Someone had parked their Golf GTI in a hedge partially blocking the road. So out with a strop and the winch had him out in a minute.

It was surprising how many modern 4x4's I saw stuck....some may have been 2wd derivatives of what I thought were 4x4's. Guess they wished that had spent the little extra.

Driver skill, 4wd that comes on only once your slipping (no good old fashioned whack it in high, low, difflock etc) stupid tyres.
Many of course don't realise 4 wd don't help much downhill especially when your on your breaks rather than your gears (tried engine breaking in some of this modern fancy junk?).

 

[Ian James]

Driver skill, 4wd that comes on only once your slipping (no good old fashioned whack it in high, low, difflock etc) stupid tyres.
Many of course don't realise 4 wd don't help much downhill especially when your on your breaks rather than your gears (tried engine breaking in some of this modern fancy junk?).

But 4wd does help down hill because you have 4 wheel braking through the transmission it's only the same as using a 4 wheel drive tractor on steep ground you have far less chance of running away with the 4 wheel drive than you do a 2 wheel drive as long as 4wheel drive is engaged that is

 

[slim_boy_fat]

and a church full of nuns holding boxes of kittens jumps out in front of you

What kind of area do you live in? Do they 'lurk' behind hedges with their kitties........?

 

[slim_boy_fat]

@Rannsachair Well done on doing the right thing, and not sailing past in heated comfort as many would.

 

[Bryan Williams]

Without getting personal in any way - I've seen that get many people in trouble...

None of that stuff helps when you're on ice with a covering of snow and a church full of nuns holding boxes of kittens jumps out in front of you

It might get you moving, but the instant traction breaks you're under control of gravity (even traction control - once you're sliding it thinks you're not moving so it has a snooze).

Would they still land on thier feet, the kittens not the nuns..?

 

[slim_boy_fat]

Would they still land on thier feet, the kittens not the nuns..?

Probably, but it would be "Strrrrrike one!"

 

[Am333rcr]

Hi

I am superseded how my mum and dads 06 plate Honda crv dealt with this weather better than i thought to be honest with its on off computer selecting wheel grip 4x4 If that makes sence

We have 5 -6 inches and 1 foot drifts in some places

 

[Rannsachair]

Hi

I am superseded how my mum and dads 06 plate Honda crv dealt with this weather better than i thought to be honest with its on off computer selecting wheel grip 4x4 If that makes sence

We have 5 -6 inches and 1 foot drifts in some places

The pre 2012 CRV uses a hydraulic system: one pump driven by the front wheels, another by the rear diff, so any difference in speed between the front and rear wheels creates a pressure differential that operates a clutch that transfers power to the rear diff. In normal driving only the front wheels are driven. The newer ones have an electronic system http://teknikensvarld.se/honda-cr-v-4wd-system-is-not-working-again-163708/

 

[Robotstar5]

In the 80's I would go out in the Landy for a play if it had snowed, would generally meet a couple of others doing the same and we would help any stuck cars we came across, one occasion I towed a district nurse about 4 miles to get her to a patient.

 

[GW8IZR]

In the 80's I would go out in the Landy for a play if it had snowed, would generally meet a couple of others doing the same and we would help any stuck cars we came across, one occasion I towed a district nurse about 4 miles to get her to a patient.

This thread has enough content for an 80's sitcom...

There was this nun carrying a box of kittens and she was waiting for a district nurse ......

 

[keithski122]

I live in Devon.We once had snow.

 

[slim_boy_fat]

I live in Devon.We once had snow.

You must be pretty old to remember that. .

 

[dannyp]

when we had some snow before that dreaded xmas i pulled a lr 90 out with the passat.

sounds daft but the best thing i've ever had for getting about in the snow / ice was a old knackerd saxo. found some chains of the old mans from way back when and basicly it was special stage rally time with 1100cc's of rageing power. but smallest lightest hatchback with chains is far better than anything else, i think the passat with chains would also be epic maybe even just better tyers