Snow Driving Tips Please!!

lespo

Forum Member
Joined
Dec 2, 2008
Messages
28
Location
Kellyville,Sydney
G'day were off to the Snowy Mountains in a couple of weeks and wanted to get some feedback and tips for snow driving (Auto) or necessary gear that might be required.

Its been 20 years since I've been down there and that was on a school bus:lol:
Cheers
 
Lespo,

I know snow chain rules are different in NSW to Vic, but I would not travel into snow without chains, good diamond pattern at that. Make sure you know how to fit them properly before you go. Practice makes perfect. Much more comfortable learing in the garage at home, than in the snow on the roadside.

Make sure all actions are smooth, ie steering, braking, acceleration. Being an auto, make sure you lock the transmission into lower gears when travelling downhill, and be very carefull using the brakes.

Have fun. I spent last years snow season employed to drive a 12 seat minibus in and out of the snow every day. It was great fun. I got my chainfit down to five minutes from stop to drive away.

Beigewagon.
 
Oops, forgot to add. Fit your chains to the front of most 4wd / Awd. Check the car owners manual.

Beigewagon.
 
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Good chance you wont see much snow to drive on!
But drive carefully - someone flipped a car today on the road to Thredbo.
What can catch you out is the lack of snow, go around a bend or up a small hill and now there is snow on the road or worse - ice.
 
Be careful, everyone's given great advice!

I would add, when you get up there find yourself a parking lot full of ice/snow and acquaint yourself with how your Foz acts.
 
After posting the above - the next day we had a lot of snow at our place.
So I was very careful driving down the 2km dirt (and snow!) road.

Then when I was at the ski tube I managed to find a nice icy patch on the exit. I guess not too many people had driven out - just in! A slow drift with both ends, the rear quicker than the front. By the time I caught it I was probably 45 degrees past where I had wanted to be.
 
Yeah they got a 300mm dump of snow last week.....great for Springtime!!

Now I just hope that their will still be plenty aroung on the hills in 2 weeks time when we go.
 
I drive in 3rd because I heard the AWD is evenly distributed then, When in drive I heard there's more traction in the front wheels..Always plan for enough room to stop also...when in 3rd if you let off the gas the car will slow down without even touching the brake..I like that too..

Cheers~~
Dan
 
Choice of gear also depends on the steepness of the road. Third gear at my local mountain will put you off the road, it is way too steep for anything above second.

Beigewagon.
 
Yeah they got a 300mm dump of snow last week.....great for Springtime!!

Now I just hope that their will still be plenty aroung on the hills in 2 weeks time when we go.
I doubt it!

We had the big dump on Wed.
By Friday the temp had got to 17. Not snow weather!
Not sure what the temp was at Thredbo Village but it cant have been that much colder.
 
With the L series, it has a nasty habit of throwing the snow up over the front of the car and onto the windshield. I think because the front is like a wedge, the snow is just forced to go over. The little air dam under the bumper gets clogged up with snow too so slow and steady will always win through.

Definitely a low gear drive and I usuallt plod along at 15-20kph up in the corin forest...that way you can enjoy the trp a lot more and laugh at the morons in the family 2WD sedans trying to get to the snowline!!
 
I cross a 4300 ft mountain pass daily in the Winter (how many mm's is that ;-p ) and routinely run into the is it wet or ice situation. The best advice I can give is NO BRAKES! let the engine slow you and be a minimalist with the steering wheel. Have fun!
 
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similar to sand really except for tire choice/chains. remember to use smother acceleration and flattening tyres will help heaps too. bring a shovel
 
snow sense

With an auto I find 2nd gear is best overall. It gives you plenty of low end torque to keep moving without breaking the tires loose(usually).
Also the torque split is 50/50 with a 4eat is in 1st/2nd gear.

Carry a tire PSI guage, air pump. Air down your tires to say 15psi your traction will increase ten fold in some of the worst stuck situations. I've aired down to 10psi when I was completely spinning all tires diggin in. I walked right out of it after that(after clearing snow from undercarraige).

For chains air down to 15psi . Then fit chains tightly and air them up to proper spec. Your chains will always be tight. Reverse order of installation and air up your tires. Always rechaeck your chains at any signs of abnormal noise. I carry a pack of zipties to secure the ends as plastic cable fasters sometimes break.

A shovel is a must.

A tow strap in case you are in dire straights ...Hopefully a friend will lend a quick nudge to get you out.

Last but not least a rally-X trick pending your countrys vehicle laws..
Remove the ABS fuse for snow travel. It will give you more control and modulation of the braking system.
I find that the ABS systems tend to lock up brakes momentarily allowing the tires to break loose . Once that occurs your in for the ride..

The ABS light will be on while your driving. When your back on pavement reinstall the fuse and turn ign. switch off, then restart your car .The ABS light goes out .

ABS works great on wet, dry roads.

Steering, When sliding steer into the direction of the slide . Let off the throttle and or brakes. Then you should be able to regain some control .
 
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