RWD & 18" tires in the snow - Driving techniques?

rousetafarian

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So I popped out briefly last night knowing that the temperatures were hovering around freezing, with a little snow falling and ice/frozen slush on the ground.

Downhill was no problem but now (embarrassingly) I've got to retrieve my car from the bottom of the very slight gradient. If it was a wide open road, then I'd risk it but with lines of expensive cars parked on both sides I thought against it.

What are the best techniques for safely driving in such conditions without spending a lot of money on winter tyres?
 
Pop some heavy ballast in the boot for added grip. I can't say I ever have problems driving in the snow, it's just about making steady and smooth progress.
 
If you're rwd then the best technique is probably to wait until it melts.
 
I've been driving a 330i for the last four years and not come unstuck once. OK, we're not exactly drenched in the snow down here in sunny Essex but we've had enough over the years.
 
I've been driving a 330i for the last four years and not come unstuck once. OK, we're not exactly drenched in the snow down here in sunny Essex but we've had enough over the years.
I'm in the NW, live on a gradient on a road that has never seen a gritter.
 
I don't get a gritter down my street either and we still have hills in Essex :D
 
I don't get a gritter down my street either and we still have hills in Essex :D

Happy to hear your techniques (as indicated in the title)
 
Low revs and a very slow & deliberate action allowing the gears to drag or slow the car.

Simples ☺
 
Low revs and a very slow & deliberate action allowing the gears to drag or slow the car.

Simples ☺
Oh and it's an automatic too... :(
 
I did this many years ago in my old Mk2 Escort. Went out in the snow to have a play to try to learn how to handle the car. I found an empty housing estate that was being built and had great fun, until I got stuck at the bottom of an incline.

Not wanting to have the embarrassment of ringing my parents (was about 19 at the time I think) I tried different methods to get back up the slope. Pulling away in second gear helped a bit, but the car slowed down and the wheels would then start spinning. For reasons I can't really explain, reversing up the incline worked, despite an empty boot and of course rear wheel drive. Feeling a bit cocky, I drove down the slope again (great wide turning point at the bottom to practice a handbrake turn you see :blush:). Same again; reversing got me back up again.
 
For me it's just a case of steady and smooth. 2nd gear to pull away and then maybe travel in 3rd or 4th to keep a lot of engine braking rather than using the brakes. Either grab a couple of bags of sand or a toolbox, anything heavy, and keep it in the boot which will all help a little with traction.

Or of course get some winter tyres which seems to be the done thing these days though not something I'd personally bother with because if I did get stuck I'm Okay without a car for a few days so it wouldn't be a huge inconvenience for me.
 
What car is it? On my 2007 bmw the traction control had two settings press it once would effectively put it in snow mode. Amazing how many people miss it in the instructions. I found it made a huge difference as it would effectively lock the diff, but it only works in forward i think. I got semi stuck on a slope and put this in and I managed to get up a kerb to turn round
 
Happy to hear your techniques (as indicated in the title)


For your current set up there isn't any techniques. Auto/powerful engine/fat tyres/RRD=no no

Manual & RWD = second gear and applying a hard left or right lock and keep moving from one lock to another until the vehicle is moving steadily.

Manual & FWD = In reverse and repeat the above haha

Skinny tyres help as well as a foot that is not joined to the floor!
 
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What car is it? On my 2007 bmw the traction control had two settings press it once would effectively put it in snow mode. Amazing how many people miss it in the instructions. I found it made a huge difference as it would effectively lock the diff, but it only works in forward i think. I got semi stuck on a slope and put this in and I managed to get up a kerb to turn round

Mercedes-Benz E350 Coupe, I tried disabling the traction control, which is either on or off and the back end was shaking like a jelly :)
 
Winter tyres and rear wheel drive here......*smug*

Sorry :)

As others have said, just wait, and collect car once the snow melts.
 
I guess you could try reversing as it's in essence front wheel drive then? Otherwise a heavy weight in the boot like paving slabs seems to be favourable with BMW drivers on here.
 
Just buy some winter tyres, then giggle at how capable your BMW will become in snow.
I used to see people pulling faces at me when I went into our snow-bound supermarket carpark in my BMW.
Them all full of "look at him, he's got no chance"
Only for me to pull away without even a hint of wheelspin (Pirelli Sottozero).
If you don't want to spend money on new ones, buy used ones.
 
I have to put mine in Eco-Pro mode to even stand a chance, Pilot Supersports are awesome but they don't do so good in the snow. If i needed to drive for work etc I would get winter tyres/wheels but for the odd day we get it's not worth the outlay for me, I just leave the car at home.
 

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