Hey guys, i just drove in the snow for the first time today... it was quite a fun experience, even thought he car seemed to slip a lot on turns. My abs kept engaging too which was sort of scary.

My question is, what methods do you guys use to maintain traction? I know that starting in 2nd gear can help, and i would assume that it would be best to leave it in as high of a gear as possible to minimize throttle response. Is downshifting to a red light a good idea to maximize engine braking? (i normally just pop in neutral). And what about just clutching in while taking a turn?

I know there are probably lot of experienced stick drivers on here that live in snowy areas, so please help me out

 

the key= slowly haha and try your best to stay off the breaks

 

ive never driven a FWD 5 speed in the snow, im looking forward to it. I know with my ranger, which was a RWD 5 speed, if i started to slide, i would push the clutch in and that would usually help regain traction, and also keep your rpm's low.

 

I use engine braking regularly, but what helps further your grip on snow, if you can afford it, is investing in winter/snow specific tires. I went this route and it really makes a difference if there is any snow/ice on the ground.

If your budget is limited, do what datdude1119 said and drive slowly and smoothly to stay away from your brakes.

I also coast to the stoplight instead of rely on my brakes fully to stop.

 

isnt downshifting to engine break risky in the snow? cant a mistimed rev match can break your tires loose?

 

pffft driving slow is lame i like to blast thru it all the time and coast to the stop light

i just enjoy blasting by all the 4x4 suv's even at the stop lights

 

The key to engine braking is being selective with the gear. I have been driving my Tc for about four months and suggest downshifting/engine braking from 4th to 3rd. The gear ratios of our transmissions seem to be less prone to over-rev and break the tires grip patch when using 4th->3rd. My old S10 2wd was almost the exact same way. I could only downshift 4th-3rd on snow.

I'd assume that snow tires are prolly out of the question then for you?

 

i have an xB but it's standard and it f*cking sucked in the snow. i pretty much held down the clutch and used the car as a sled when i was going downhill/straight and didn't need power. then when i did need power i'd drive in 2nd gear... but if i didn't feel the car going anywhere i'd switch to 3rd to get a boost then go back to 2nd. i dont know if that's the "correct" thing to do but it worked for me. this was my first time in standard in the snow too. i'm still shaking haha. oh and i had snow tires too but the snow was so bad and not sanded so my car was still going everywhere

 

If you can use 3rd while driving and if you ____ everyone off behind you don't worry about it.use down shift to 2nd to slow down and put car in second prior to down hills so you avoid the kick to the wheels.....brakes are nto used very much in snow and ice except the last few feet of stopping if you can help it.......ABS will drive you nutty....it kicks the ____ out of your foot and is a huge distraction.

 

snow tires arnt an option, im just trying to learn how to use the transmission to my adv. in these situations

 

step on gas and redline every gear it will keep car steady in one spot.

 

move to florida. meet people like me that have never seen snow.

 

^^^ nice, man i miss florida, def alot different than here in nj. maybe one day i can move home, but on topic....

Make sure your tires are snow rated and take it easy... no tailgating.... leave early so you can take it slower and unfortunatly, be good on the on/off ramps

 

2nd & 3rd gear & PROPER engine braking & no HARD braking......plus stock tires suck a$$ in the snow.....

 

should you keep rpms low to minimize throttle sensitivity, or keep them high so that you can slow down without using the brakes?

 

at stop lights rev engine to redline and dump the clutch. during turns cut the wheel and rip the ebrake...



just do what everyone else is telling u to do.

 

watch this video its a great how to guide

http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...79849418629011

 

downshift=friend brake pedal=enemy

used to live in michigan easy to get a stick unstuck if u get stuck in the snow

 

lmao yeah if u wanna die

 

hahahahahaha