Driving in Snow?

Question

This is my first real time driving in snow. I drove to work today, and I slid around. I tried not to slam on my brakes or accelerate too fast, but I still slid. Coming home was worse. There's no one there to take me to work and I can't call in. I have a Chevy Cobalt . My parents did put snow tires on it but they aren't studded. I don't have enough money to buy a different car. I have to go back tonight and I do not feel comfortable driving. Can anybody offer me any driving tips?

Answer 1

Practice, practice, practice....easy does it on snow and ice.

Answer 2

I would suggest nokian tires ASAP (at minimum on the front). Your car should have ABS and that helps. YOu can test this in the parking lot by slamming on the brakes you should not lock the tires if you have ABS.

OK when the snow gets packed down it is like ice. If possible keep one foot in the snow. On the side of the road there is always snow non packed. If it is a safe area to drive in, I always have the right tires in that snow. YOu gain more traction that way. FWD cars can be difficult in the snow. One why is when you slide or lock the brakes your nose or front end pushes and steering doesnt help much compared to aan AWD car like subaru etc.

Another suggestion is gearing. No matter automatic or standard shift a lower gear will keep more torq at the wheels equaling more traction. Try keeping it in a lower gear and get a feel for it.

Last suggestion is go in a parking lot and get familar with the car and snow. Make the car slid and brake hard. Drive say 30mph and make some hard turns and brakes. This will help you get a better feel on how to react.

Drive safe and slow. Don't worry if your going to slow for other drivers!

Answer 3

The Chevy Cobalt should be a good car in the snow as it is front-wheel drive. That is better than the rear-wheel drive in snow.

You will want to increase the distance that you follow the car ahead of you. This will give you more time to stop.

Of course, keep your speed down to what you are comfortable.
If this means staying off expressways (if possible) it is not a bad idea to take the surface streets.

Make sure that all of your car windows are cleared of snow and ice. If you happen to get in an accident it is easy for the responding police officer to afix the blame (and ticket) on your if it looks like you could not see well.

Answer 4

Just take it slow and don't slam on the brakes. It's not that much different than driving in the rain. If you do start to slide just let off the accelerator and don't jerk the wheel around; that's people's biggest error I think in the snow. People in areas where it doesn't snow that much make it this big deal like it's going to prevent you from getting anywhere without going off the road and exploding in a column of flame.. I mean here in Maine people don't even get snow tires half the time, it's just not a big deal.

Answer 5

Slow and easy. Take your foot off the accelerator well ahead of time if you are going to make a turn and brake sparingly. Take your car out of overdrive (mine has a little button at the end of the shifter that you push in to take it out of overdrive) and shift down to a lower gear (you can do that if you have an automatic). Never gun the car or accelerate real hard. If you get stuck, just barely but your foot on the gas and make sure you are in that lower gear. Slow and steady does it, and you can do it. Oh yes, make sure your car is completely cleaned off so your view is not obstructed.

Answer 6

Just relax and take your time. No hard braking or accelerating, I like to tap the brakes to slow down. No sudden movements with the steering wheel. If your car has overdrive, turn it off. Take turns slow. Keep away from other cars if possible. It takes practice....you'll be OK. Main thing is to relax.

Answer 7

Oh confident, I refuse to stress interior the snow. i'm so grateful my husband is homestead at present because of fact we've a bypass to to the pediatrician and that they do no longer plow or salt the roads right here (stay interior the boonies). i'm very very nearly too stressful for him to stress out in this climate although. Yuck. Snow is a lot extra relaxing once you may in basic terms sit down at homestead and luxuriate in it.

Answer 8

Make sure your car has warmed up before driveing.Clear all snow from your car.Relax and drive extra slow. Be prepaired for anything.You'll do fine.

Answer 9

pay attention towards drivin ...drive slow n carefully n practice .there nutin wrong wif ur car itz jus the wai u drive it ...u ll get better after a week or so ....

Answer 10

Slowly does it. Number 1 thing!!! If you go slow, you will be fine (most likely-disclimer.)!