* -- == ] OFFICIAL SNOW ADVICE Thread! [ == -- *

[shortylickens]

First and foremost:


TURN ON YOUR HEADLIGHTS!

Not only is it required by law, but it actually makes driving safer for you and everyone else.



CLEAR ALL CAR WINDOWS!

This is, again, REQUIRED BY LAW! And it also makes driving safer for you and everyone else. Get a good brush with a relatively long handle so you dont have to kill yourself, or so you are not tempted to slack off with clearing your windows. ALL WINDOWS. You need to be able to see all around your car because everyone else is behaving poorly and not as smart as you. Consider getting a windshield protector or maybe even a car cover if you park outside. You'd be pleasantly surprised how much work it saves you.


GEAR DOWN!

Whether you have basic, advanced, or no anti-lock brakes, its always better to drop down a gear than to slam your brakes. You maintain control better and depending on the surface, you may even slow down better.

Along those lines, you are required, BY LAW, to drive slower when the roads are bad. That applies to rain and snow. I recommend 50-70% of the speed limit, depending on how many other cars are around and how many of them are idiots. By idiots I mean driving too fast or not leaving enough room between vehicles. Similarly, brake much earlier than you are used to or gear down well in advance of stops. And at any speed, leave plenty of room between you and other cars. You might be able to stop in time but somebody coming up behind you could cause a chain reaction.

If theres a ton of idiots on the road, pull over somewhere safe and let them go by. You cant stop them from making accidents but you can avoid them yourself.


More advanced advice to follow.

 

[rudeguy]

Meh

I just get in and drive.

 

[shortylickens]

http://www.amazon.com/Hopkins-2610XM.../dp/B0016GRTVU

This style is better for getting a lot of snow in one sweep. Just pull down a huge patch to your hood. The long ice scraper is helpful too. That middle section of your windshield is where you do most of your viewing.


http://www.amazon.com/JH-Smith-Car-S...dp/B004ETGQKG/

Saves anywhere from 5 to 20 minutes of brushing and scraping. In an emergency that could be especially helpful.


Some people like to pop up their wiper blades overnight so they dont stick to the windshield.
I recommend NOT doing that. If the wind picks up it could damage them. Instead you should wrap them with a plastic bag or wax paper and set them back down against the windshield. It will save you from having to unstick them in the morning.

 

[DrPizza]

Meh

I just get in and drive.

I hit the button to roll the passenger window down a couple of inches - it knocks off enough snow that I can see if it's okay to back out of my driveway. Wipers take car of the front windshield, and by the time I get to my first turn, the wind has blown the rest of the snow of the side windows. Rear window? Meh, that's why I have mirrors on both sides. I hit the defrost button and that's usually clear about the time I get to work.

 

[rudeguy]

I hit the button to roll the passenger window down a couple of inches - it knocks off enough snow that I can see if it's okay to back out of my driveway. Wipers take car of the front windshield, and by the time I get to my first turn, the wind has blown the rest of the snow of the side windows. Rear window? Meh, that's why I have mirrors on both sides. I hit the defrost button and that's usually clear about the time I get to work.

Basically what I do as well. Only catch is when the windows are iced up, then I let it warm up for a half hour with the wipers on.

I don't worry about the back window at all now that I have a backup cam.

 

[DrPizza]

I recommend NOT doing that. If the wind picks up it could damage them. Instead you should wrap them with a plastic bag or wax paper and set them back down against the windshield. It will save you from having to unstick them in the morning.

Really? Takes about 1 second to unstick the wipers. How long does it take to put on bags and remove bags? What magical bag material do you use such that conditions that freeze wiper blades to the windshield do not freeze the bag to the windshield?
http://www.cleveland.com/metro/index.ssf/2014/11/windshield_wipers_up_in_the_sn.html
No problem. To think that a little wind while the car is parked is going to compare to the airflow when driving 75 mph...

 

[Berliner]

You need to be able to see all around your car because everyone else is behaving poorly and not as smart as you.

Judging by this thread, yes, clearly.

 

[SSSnail]

You forgot one of the most important thing to do in the winter - TURN ON YOUR DAMN A/C! Along with your heat.

Yes, A/C, as in air conditioning. It controls the moisture in your car so you don't drive around in a sauna.

 

[shortylickens]

You forgot one of the most important thing to do in the winter - TURN ON YOUR DAMN A/C!

Yes, A/C, as in air conditioning. It controls the moisture in your car so you don't drive around in a sauna.

I hadnt thought of that. Mine comes on automatically when I use the defroster. But I doubt every car does it.

 

[rudeguy]

Judging by this thread, yes, clearly.

It should be noted the OP lives in an area that gets very little snow but doc and I live in areas that get hammered. Snow is no big deal.

 

[shortylickens]

It should be noted the OP lives in an area that gets very little snow but doc and I live in areas that get hammered. Snow is no big deal.

It is a big deal. Thats why Minnesota goes out of its way to deal with it properly.
I dont live in Minnesota anymore.

Besides which, this is like the 4th bad winter I've seen in Virginia and people still do stupid things. So I offer the snow advice thread.

If you dont need it, or dont care about it, leave.

 

[rudeguy]

It is a big deal. Thats why Minnesota goes out of its way to deal with it properly.
I dont live in Minnesota anymore.

Besides which, this is like the 4th bad winter I've seen in Virginia and people still do stupid things. So I offer the snow advice thread.

If you dont need it, or dont care about it, leave.

Bad winter?

15 inches of snow total since July 1? Bahama hahaha


http://www.srh.noaa.gov/data/LWX/CLIDCA



I'll take snow driving tips from someone who drives in snow.

We are at 75 inches and it's been a mild winter.

 

[MustISO]

I stay in the house until it melts. There's nothing important out there.

 

[rudeguy]

http://www.amazon.com/Hopkins-2610XM.../dp/B0016GRTVU

This style is better for getting a lot of snow in one sweep. Just pull down a huge patch to your hood. The long ice scraper is helpful too. That middle section of your windshield is where you do most of your viewing.


http://www.amazon.com/JH-Smith-Car-S...dp/B004ETGQKG/

Saves anywhere from 5 to 20 minutes of brushing and scraping. In an emergency that could be especially helpful.


Some people like to pop up their wiper blades overnight so they dont stick to the windshield.
I recommend NOT doing that. If the wind picks up it could damage them. Instead you should wrap them with a plastic bag or wax paper and set them back down against the windshield. It will save you from having to unstick them in the morning.

Oh shit!

Shorty was fleabag!

 

[Gunslinger08]

1. Live somewhere with a garage.
2. Win.

 

[ThinClient]

I like placing salty nuts in my mouth and slowly working them gently over my tongue.

I like the nuts to be bare so their smooth texture compliments their salty bite.

The honey glazed nuts are good, too.

 

[DrPizza]

Oh shit!

Shorty was fleabag!

Close... fleabag recommended using cardboard to cover your windshield. I can't imagine how much fun it would be to remove cardboard that's gotten damp and froze to the windshield.

 

[rudeguy]

Close... fleabag recommended using cardboard to cover your windshield. I can't imagine how much fun it would be to remove cardboard that's gotten damp and froze to the windshield.

That thread....

Wonder whatever happened to the video I made for him?


Either way. I just think it's funny that shorty is trying to give advice on something he knows nothing about. It's just snow.

 

[Art&Science]

In most places it's illegal to drive with snow ON the car, because it can fly off, but people do it anyway.

 

[shortylickens]

1. Live somewhere with a garage.
2. Win.

Thats nice. And completely useless in this thread.
It doesnt help people remember to drive with headlights or leave extra braking distance.

 

[norseamd]

nef

 

[Belegost]

I smack right above the driver door to knock the snow off around the frame (I really hate when it drifts in and makes the seat wet.) Start the car up and turn on the rear defrost.

Then I head back inside, read some news and finish my coffee.

On my way out I grab the push broom off the porch, shove across the front windshield once to clear the heavy stuff (and maybe the back if it isn't clear), and knock down the wipers. Toss it back on the porch. Swipe the wipers once to clear off the wet stuff, throw the car in D, and head out.

If it's physically snowing at the time I'm driving, my lights will be on automatically. If it's just snow on the ground, I don't see the need.

 

[shortylickens]

I smack right above the driver door to knock the snow off around the frame (I really hate when it drifts in and makes the seat wet.) Start the car up and turn on the rear defrost.

Then I head back inside, read some news and finish my coffee.

On my way out I grab the push broom off the porch, shove across the front windshield once to clear the heavy stuff (and maybe the back if it isn't clear), and knock down the wipers. Toss it back on the porch. Swipe the wipers once to clear off the wet stuff, throw the car in D, and head out.

If it's physically snowing at the time I'm driving, my lights will be on automatically. If it's just snow on the ground, I don't see the need.

I dont care just so long as you arent driving around with an obstructed windshield.

 

[Perknose]

I hit the button to roll the passenger window down a couple of inches - it knocks off enough snow that I can see if it's okay to back out of my driveway. Wipers take car of the front windshield, and by the time I get to my first turn, the wind has blown the rest of the snow of the side windows. Rear window? Meh, that's why I have mirrors on both sides. I hit the defrost button and that's usually clear about the time I get to work.

So don't agree. And, frankly, SO disappointed.

Maybe, because you live in a rural area with little traffic, you've gotten away with this so far, but lack of full vision is not only dangerous for you and every other motorist and pedestrian you come across., it's likely illegal.

 

[Red Squirrel]

Sounds good to me. Pretty much all common sense stuff, but there are lot of assholes out there who don't seem to know common sense. They are really the reason why snow in the south causes accidents. They get 1 inch and it's panic mode and people drive like assholes and cause accidents.