how does this work? my friend told me to drive in the lowest gear during snow storms and such. is this a good thing or bad thing?
2007-03-08 16:23:53 · 5 answers · asked by MiaDiva28 6 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Other - Cars & Transportation
No, your friend made a mistake. You need to drive in a higher gear than usual on snow. The idea is that you want less torque on the wheels to keep them from loosing traction, and higher gear does just that for you.
2007-03-08 16:32:13 · answer #1 · answered by Misha 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The best thing to do is to plant your non accelerator foot firmly to the floorpanel on your car, you will feel if your car begins to slide, Downshifting to a mild gear provides engine-induced friction so that the vehicle doesn't accelerate without you adding input into the gas pedal. Downshifting to a milder gear will also keep you from going too fast. If you do start to slide, the shorter gearing will also slow the tire's rate of spin down, allowing it to get its grip sooner rather than later. If you do get into the lower gears, activate your emergency flashers so people know you are slow moving.
2007-03-08 18:11:24 · answer #2 · answered by tito_swave 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is DEFINITELY good advice. Usually you slide in bad weather when you apply your brakes because there is no traction between the tires and the wet road. So if you drive in a low gear, you will have to use your brakes less often, lessening the odds of sliding.
2007-03-08 16:29:22 · answer #3 · answered by BrookeB 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Higher gear is what you want. Put your car in lower gear on a snowy road, your wheels are goin to spin like frickin nuts. Put it in a higher gear, and keep it slower. Your car will not accelerate fast, and you wont spin the wheels. Spinning your wheels will make you slide.
2007-03-08 17:06:40 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
drive it on lower gear. the lower the gear the more it will slow down the car. think about it, your 2nd gear usually is 20-40mph vs 3rd which is 30-60mph. which will slow down first.
ive used this method more on snow then anything. just it will wear out your car more but its better then totalling the car all together. best advice is to drive on 2nd when theres snow or ice, light snow is 3rd. theres more torque and when you slow the car it will slow faster on 2nd then 4th
2007-03-08 16:52:45 · answer #5 · answered by Jonathan R 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋