Date:         Tue, 11 Nov 1997 13:46:06 EST
Reply-To:     Sean Bartnik <sbart7kb@WWW.MWC.EDU>
Sender:       Vanagon mailing list <Vanagon@Gerry.SDSC.EDU>
From:         Sean Bartnik <sbart7kb@WWW.MWC.EDU>
Subject:      Re: WINTER DRIVING
Comments: To: Budd Premack <bpremack@wavetech.net>
In-Reply-To:  <199711111830.MAA13848@riptide.wavetech.net>; from "Budd Premack"
              at Nov 11, 97 11:56 am

>
>
> That was a wonderful primer on winter driving.

Thanks.

>
> Two tiny points of clarification.  I have found it most helpful to instruct
> novices to steer out of a skid by steering towards the direction in which
> they want the front of the vehicle to be heading.

That's one way of saying it, but it might lead to confusion.  I think it
makes it clear when you say "if the back end skids left, turn left" --
but yes, I agree, some people get confused about this.  Once you've
brought the vehicle out of its skid then you can make further steering
corrections to get it back on track.

>
> For more experienced drivers, gentle use of the e-brake can reduce wheel
> torque when starting on slippery surfaces.  The e-brake can also be used if
> forced to back down (because you got stuck part way up) a steep, glare-ice
> hill, especially if the road has a crown that will cause the vehicle to
> slip off to the side if the regular brakes are used.  This technique allows
> steering by two wheels and braking by the other two.  ( I used it for the
> first time in over 30 winters last year, and was amazed at its
> effectiveness.)
>
I had heard of this technique but have not used it.  Sounds like a good
idea to me, I will give it a try this winter :-)


> BTW, where are you located in the snow belt?
>
I'm actually located in Fredericksburg VA.  We get some snow in the
winter but we don't live under snow all winter :-) .  We get enough to
make driving a PITA tho.  I also spend time in Johnson City TN in the
winter (my family is based there) and being very close to the mountains,
we get some snow there.  In addition, there in Johnson City there are a
LOT more hills than there are here, which can make winter driving a
challenge.

Sean

> Budd Premack
> 87 Wolfsburg, 84 Vanagon,  86 Syncro (for sale)
> 73 Super, 64 Bug
> Minneapolis, MN
>


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