Winter driving

I found this rather good link :

http://www.rospa.com/drivertraining/winter/index.htm

Some good advice there I think. In addition to the stuff they suggest I also have :

old shell jacket and trousers for putting chains on or anything that get me out of the car.

a couple of pairs of gloves.

a soft brush, it's the quickest way to get snow of the car.

Driving around today is really hard, the roads into our village are not treated and the one I was using this morning isn't cleared either. To echo what they say at ROSPA, getting into the right gear is crucial, once you're on an awkward slope changing gear is pretty hard as you can momentarily lose traction especially trying to change down. I find the rev' limiter in second is high enough I can drive in second on most any slope.

Another tip is not to panic too much if you do skid a bit, it's going to happen and you want to avoid stepping of the gas when it does, if anything a bit more gas and keeping power to wheels can rescue you. Within reason of course, don't accelerate off a cliff. Also, slowing down going up a hill is a bad idea, slow enough and you'll go backwards, a lot of the time momentum is your friend :D

No country on mainland Europe requires you to have chains or winter tyres but individual routes can be closed to people without them, that's the same in all countries (including the UK). Winter tires are fantastic and worth having but you always need chains, winter tyres won't get you quite everywhere. You can gamble on not having them but you may find you miss your flight home :)

Fitting chains isn't so awkward, if you've got your own then a bit of practise helps. You absolutely have to be able to fit chains where you find yourself, once the going gets difficult you may not be able to turn around and it is an offence to drive with chains on tarmac. Similarly, if you come to leave your accommodation at the top of the mountain then that's where you are and that's where you have to fit the chains.

Also, within reason, have some concern for the car behind, if they're fully equipped and not having problems it's polite to let them past, in fact it's a requirement in some places.

Or do what I'm about to do fetching Mrs Ise from the station and take a Subaru Imprezza with winter tyres on it :D

Thanks for the link. Good advice there.

On the point of chains...what are the roads around Chamonix likely to be like end of January? I'd expect the roads around a town to be salted, or whetever, but having never been to the alps, I'm not 100% sure. Am I likely to need chains in that area?

Hoop wrote:Thanks for the link. Good advice there.

On the point of chains...what are the roads around Chamonix likely to be like end of January? I'd expect the roads around a town to be salted, or whetever, but having never been to the alps, I'm not 100% sure. Am I likely to need chains in that area?

Its motor-way all the way so should be no problem 8)

Happy days :mrgreen:

Hoop wrote:Thanks for the link. Good advice there.

On the point of chains...what are the roads around Chamonix likely to be like end of January? I'd expect the roads around a town to be salted, or whetever, but having never been to the alps, I'm not 100% sure. Am I likely to need chains in that area?

It's a major route into Chamonix so it's cleared. The side roads aren't treated, salt into the water course would kill the local flora and fauna so it's used sparingly. If you're planning to drive around you'll need chains really as a precaution.

It's interesting how many types of snow can be on the road. It varies so much with the temperature and humidity. Some snow is like driving on ice and other snow is quite grippy. I find the best test is when I've slowed down for some reason, I'll spin the wheels a little as I accelerate to get a feel for it. When the going is really bad and slow, the vehicle stability system can cause problems with sudden loss of power to the wheels, especially when in four wheel drive. Then it gets turned off.

Trencher

Trencher wrote:It's interesting how many types of snow can be on the road. It varies so much with the temperature and humidity. Some snow is like driving on ice and other snow is quite grippy. I find the best test is when I've slowed down for some reason, I'll spin the wheels a little as I accelerate to get a feel for it. When the going is really bad and slow, the vehicle stability system can cause problems with sudden loss of power to the wheels, especially when in four wheel drive. Then it gets turned off.

Trencher

that's the trouble with some traction control sometimes, on 2WD it often works by braking the wheels to stop them spinning which doesn't pan out with snow sometimes. with 4WD I rely on momentum to carry me forward until traction is regained, that seems to work better.

Cat litter, cat litter cat litter. Best stuff, if your out and um, stuck.
Where I'm from you can't use chains and the ding dong road crews don't salt. It's a real.....joy

A tank top, aka wife beater works for tread in a snap. It also works in mud which is were I needed it guess beyond a certain point the sides of the Alps don't get plowed :-o

Not panicking is 1# advice