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Just fix up your car and don't be a wimp. I got a rwd Mercedes down to loch Etive in the winter 2yrs back
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Driving on ice / snow
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CaveDweller
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Given they are driven properly 2WD cars can get most places in snow. Since the big dump of snow up here last week I've been to Glenshee, the Lecht and many un-ploughed roads where the snow was up to the grill of my 330D. I had to laugh when I was passing people who were stuck in driveways and giving me dirty looks.
Edit. Forgot to mention on the back driving wheels I've got 285 wide summer run flat tyres
haven't bothered with snow tyres. Probably will do though just to be a bit safer but they are on an old set of wheels so I can just swap them over.
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Couple of other projectsYou don't want to know about this one
I think I do!!! Looks about as practical as Mrs Nod's XK8 would be for a farmer and almost as much fun!
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Given they are driven properly 2WD cars can get most places in snow. Since the big dump of snow up here last week I've been to Glenshee, the Lecht and many un-ploughed roads where the snow was up to the grill of my 330D. I had to laugh when I was passing people who were stuck in driveways and giving me dirty looks.
Edit. Forgot to mention on the back driving wheels I've got 285 wide summer run flat tyres
The winter tyres are a little better, technically they are cold weather tyres so their compound is more grippy in the cold and the tread pattern designed to deal with snow bit tbh they're not the physics defying Internet forum keyboard warrior phenomenon that they're proclaimed to be.
Drive to the reduced grip levels, learn how to counter steer and IMHO you can get about ok. You might even have fun
I only had 265s on my e320cdi and it was manageable.
The OP is worrying about nothing. Iirc it has all season tyres on it anyway.
As it's a photography forum I'll stand be my post, it'll be two snowy to get defined features. Less is more
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CaveDweller
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Decent RWD and you can have fun in the dry. The snow just gives the advantages of less tyre wear
Messing around in the snow was how I learnt how to drive in the stuff. When I first passed my test I was out all the time spinning about. Can't complain as it all comes naturally now.
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Garry Edwards
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I agree with that.
My point is that the Xtrail is terrible when going downhill in snow or ice, it doesn't steer and it doesn't brake.
I think that possibly the best car for that (that I've driven) is the Mercedes 2.3 Kompressor, followed by the Ford KA (although that one had absolutely nothing else going for it
and my old Ford Maverick/Nissan Terrano.
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I do wish people with heavy 4x4s would understand this very point Steve. If a two tonne chunk of metal is sliding on ice, momentum will take over and they will slide like any other vehicle.
For the record, I drive a Nissan Patrol, a very capable off road vehicle which, unfortunately, I need to get around where I go all year round. It ain`t half a thirsty bitch.
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They won't. Most people with 4x4s have no use for them whatsoever - then think they are invincible in the snow or ice.
Steve.
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Which patrol do you have? I used to have a GR SVE 3.0. Drove it several times across to South of Spain and Italy. That thing just went anywhere. I never found it particularly bad on fuel to be honest. I mean it is a 3.0 four cylinder car and a bit heavy. Loved the electronic stabilising bars on that, came in handy on a few tracks.
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I fear you are correct Steve.
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Mine is a 2.8 six potter GR. It is ok until I use it off road, like dragging windblow tree section out of woods. The diff locks and ability to disconnect the ARB is superb. Very capable off roader.
I keep thinking of getting something that will do 40 mpg plus, but they just won`t do what I need them to do.
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Fuel prices are dropping. No reason to think such unclean thoughts as 40mpg
AndyB1976
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3rd Gen CRV handles very well, almost car like by all accounts. The CRV is 2wd anyway until slip is detected so that and a decent set of tyres should cover all your requirements.
Next question is mileage and will the savings made on diesel cover the purchase difference and the modern diesel complications should they arise.
dejongj
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Why not upgrade at some stage to the 3.0 version, the torque you get from that engine is amazing...And the locking diff is a bit more comfortable to operate as well. I called it my 90mph car, basically because it can do that speed on any terrain, and incline...It was one of my favourites ever. Reliability is great as well with only done normal consumable items on it, and the interior for what was a 'proper' offroader wasn't too bad either compared to the competition for it. I've never had a climate control system that was more powerful than that car...So quick in hot climates to cool down the cabin.
Just wish the engine sounds less agricultural, with the alliance with Renault I was hoping for a 3.0DCI V6 Twin Turbo version but that never happened unfortunately...
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I'm sure being cheap as chips compared to the competition has nothing to do with that at all
Not disagreeing that they are tough and capable, however I would really recommend driving one before committing on generalisations. I'm glad I did, let's just say that my powerboat turned a corner quicker than the steering rack of a shogun or l200.
Not my experience of the marque what so ever.
kennethwfd
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delete "snow and ice" and insert "beause it keeps my kids safe". Last winter one of the few frosty nights on the open Forest resulted in several cars in various ditches because the drivers clearly had no idea what happens when a car encounters ice on the road
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Here you go......
The Mighty Custard
It was, a 87 V8 Range Rover classic, the body was removed the chassis modified to 92.8" wheelbase. Outriggers were welded on for a defender bulkhead, it has a series rear crossmember and body mounts etc series three wings and a defender bonnet , it has a defender seatbox , truckcab ,series doors , 3.5 v8 from the rr and gearbox too, standard 10 spline axles the main part of the rollcage is a safety devices cage, it was built as a competition safari car and used like that for a long time. Then changed the engine for a better version, completely rewired the car with a msa spec cutouts and comp spec system then chopped off the rear part of the bodywork and made the rear tubed part from cold drawn seamless tubing.
Rear winch is a warn 12,000lb, fuel tank is in the tray a custom made aluminium job it has two 700 + amp tractor batteries in the tray to run winches etc , i'll be finishing it soon ,she has to get a front winch tray and wing bars a split charge system for the batteries and probably going to change the axles for 24 spline defender ones with ashcroft lockers, cvs and shafts.
the mighty custard by dinners85, on Flickr
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I couldn't agree more!
In snow, as opposed to deep mud, my favourite car, as I've said before, is my oid Mini. The weight is over the driven wheels which have 145 section tyres; they're the front wheels so I have a chance at engine braking going down a hill; there's a very low moment of inertia and short wheelbase so it can go sideways and come back in much less space than a 4x4 truck and I know various methods of making the back of the car swerve so the front of the car can pull you where you actually want to go!
But whatever you're driving in snow, I was told you have to drive the car as though all the controls are made of glass! You have to be that gentle in moving them!
Equally if you've started sliding on ice, it's all wrists and reflexes, whatever your vehicle. The laws of physics mean you have hugely reduced friction to influence the Newtonian body in motion you're trying to control! You got to be good!
Don't bother! You're really only cruising for another row with another garage! No normal garage can "adjust" the ABS system on a car - it works off a programme in a computer. Nor probably would they want to! Imagine their insurer's liability if it emerged that they changed the manufacturers' settings of the brakes and then the car had a crash! :banghead:
It won't solve your snow problem anyway! I'd suggest the ABS probably is pretty much optimised - you say it comes in as soon as a wheel is skidding ... the ABS computer doesn't know, or need to know, if that skid is because of clumsy driving or bald tyres or because the road is covered in snow or ice ...
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I used to live on a hill. One morning I got into my car unaware that the whole road was covered in black ice. Once I started moving I had very little control. I ended up sliding down the hill sideways. I managed to slow myself a bit by getting up onto the pavement and pushing the front of the car into a wall but still slid down sideways until a conveniently parked van stopped me. It was the scariest driving experience I have ever had but only lasted a few seconds and was quite slow really. It's the realisation that you have no control which is scary.
When the ice thawed, we moved the van out of the way to inspect the damage... I was expecting a lot but was very surprised. My car was a Mk II Renault Espace with plastic composite body panels. The door up against the van was pressed in but it just popped back into shape with only a couple of scratches evident. And the only damage the van suffered was that I broke one of the plastic screws holding the number plate on!
Steve.
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What is the point pouring in tons of money when I want to drive something new? More comfortable / bigger seats, higher seating position, lots more boot space, raised suspension and 4 wheel drive are some of the features I am after. The guy who sold me this car is now driving Jeep Grand Cherokee. There must be something similar happening with me
Well, I was up in Glencoe today, and there was no chance I can plough through to Loch Etive. Same s*** all over again. It is fine going over some snow in but there are limits that I'd love to shift a little
But believe me it all looked great and had enough features for my liking. If I only I had gotten out of bed before 11 this morning!
I just like the power delivery of good diesel engine. Petrol would have to be 3L+ V6 ideally supercharged or turbo'd to interest me at all / in other terms until I move to US (unlikely) petrol won't happen. I do plenty of miles too.
I see your point, however there are some things like brake servo and all vacuum tubing that must be checked due to age and wear and tear (AA advisory, honest). After replacing all perished intercooler and turbo hoses you can really except more dangerous s*** in there. Hopefully that will be the last thing I pay for with this car.
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Decent RWD and you can have fun in the dry. The snow just gives the advantages of less tyre wear
Messing around in the snow was how I learnt how to drive in the stuff. When I first passed my test I was out all the time spinning about. Can't complain as it all comes naturally now.
Same here. Sadly it snows so little round here I rarely get to show range rover owners up in my totally unsuited sports coupes. The look on one guys face coming the other way whilst I'm using my Civic as a snow plough was priceless.
Mind you the tyres on the FTO have taken exception to grit, so I may as well be driving on snow at present.
CaveDweller
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It's the best way. Go out, have fun, make F**k up's and learn from it lol
I do have these four work toys for snow and use them daily because I don't keep the car at my house, but there's still something fun about spinning about in the cars on the snow.
toys for the boys, Dec/14 by Peanut651, on Flickr
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CaveDweller
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Suppose I could make a few exceptions lol. They're not mine though, they're just kept at my house for work but as long as I fuel them I can use them when I want. All together the estate has about 3 of each "toy", so they don't mind me using them.Hey - less of the toys for the boys !!!
I soooo want to have a play with those
onomatopoeia
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I have 4wd vehicles - Audi estate and VW Caravelle Syncro - and while traction on slippery surfaces is excellent, 4wd does not help with steering or braking. The syncro in particular is amazing in the snow, being rear-engined and 4wd gives it staggering climbing ability, on van tyres. I've never needed the diff locks in a decade of ownership.
I have a mid engined rwd car as well, that can spin the rear wheels if I pull away at idle with no throttle if things are slippery enough, one of the perils of wide low profile tyres. Sometimes a jab of handbrake at the same time will get the revs down to about 400 and it will pick up grip there and move off, but it's a bit of a lottery so I try to avoid using it when there's snow on the roads.
The Imp is a hoot, but going downhill in snow is a challenge, have to leave it in 1st for the engine braking (11.0:1 compression ratio helps with this) and cannot touch the foot brake as even the lightest touch means the front wheels will immediately lock as there is no weight above them (this makes it excellent to drive in normal conditions as the steering is so responsive without a great big lump of metal above the front wheels, but rubbish on snow), so gentle use of the handbrake is the only way to slow the car and steer downhill. It doesn't have an MOT at the moment so I won't be trying it if it snows this year
I have a mid engined rwd car as well, that can spin the rear wheels if I pull away at idle with no throttle if things are slippery enough, one of the perils of wide low profile tyres. Sometimes a jab of handbrake at the same time will get the revs down to about 400 and it will pick up grip there and move off, but it's a bit of a lottery so I try to avoid using it when there's snow on the roads.
The Imp is a hoot, but going downhill in snow is a challenge, have to leave it in 1st for the engine braking (11.0:1 compression ratio helps with this) and cannot touch the foot brake as even the lightest touch means the front wheels will immediately lock as there is no weight above them (this makes it excellent to drive in normal conditions as the steering is so responsive without a great big lump of metal above the front wheels, but rubbish on snow), so gentle use of the handbrake is the only way to slow the car and steer downhill. It doesn't have an MOT at the moment so I won't be trying it if it snows this year
