WINTER motoring

[gallego1968]

A bit early to be talking about winter motoring, i`m still waiting for this Indian summer we have been promised.

[TaviaRS]

Thought an Indian summer had monsoons :confused: If so, we've got it at the moment

[nokianneule]

It's sooo boring to drive a FWD car during winter months.

:(

[dieseldarren]

i've a little query regarding winter tyres

i'm thinking of driving to east germany (& czech republic) in december

my german gf says that if you crash in icy conditions &

haven't fitted winter tyres thats regarded as

reckless driving in her area (thuringen)

every one there has a set of summer tyres & wheels & a winter set

however, the tyres on sale around here (yorks uk)

would all be described as summer tyres,

by our friends in europe.

surely someone must have devised a simple & effective chain

i remember the old steel ones were a nightmare

but i've never needed one before

i might fly instead & just use public transport like i normally do

only i was hoping to do some shopping & fill the octy up

if you know what i mean

any thoughts ?

[TaviaRS]

I've used them on both my Octys. Have a look on mytyres.co.uk I've used the V rated Conti winter tyres and the Vredestien wintrac extreme. Others to try are the Pirelli Snowsport 240 and the Michelin Pilot Sport Alpin.

The ones I have tried are all V rated or above so I can stil go 130-140+ with no fear Most others are H or T rated.

[orinj]

Good post for winter advice but can't agree with starting the engine 20 minutes before driving away. Idleing an engine when cold causes the most wear on the engine components. You should always just start up and drive away if possible. Doing this also has the added bonus of your car not being stolen whilst you are inside the house getting some cold water. Personally I use warm water. Cold water often freezes within seconds of hitting the screen.

I completely agree. It annoys me to see people starting their car with the hope of warming up the engine 10 minutes before they leave. It's really bad for the cold engine. Warm water is excellent for the windows. Hot water is not! If you clear the windows with warm water, it will not freeze over that quickly.

In the UK we rarely get severe winter conditions below -5C but those in Scandinavia and some of the other continental countries do.

[dieseldarren]

just a quick update

the xmas trip to germany is on,

eurotunnel booked,

european breakdown cover sorted.

set of steel wheels & winter tyres bought!

new wheels were £39 each,

so got some 2nd hand ones for £15 each

vredestein snowtrax tyres were £75 - 85 each

got some trackstars (hankook) for £43 fitted

my new workplace is on a 1:5 hill at the edge of the pennines

so i think they're worth having anyway

[funkymonkey]

The Biggest Cause Of Accidents On The Motorway Especially In Winter Imho Are Caused Buy Driving To Close And To Fast!!!!!!! Trust Me ( I Work On The Motorway )

[cheezemonkhai]

Yep i just had a major one by being tailgated then the ar*e driving across my front wing and nudging me into a spin.

[nokianneule]

A picture taken this morning. Not too cold?

[lordrobs]

Just a random thought but in snow/ice should tou turn traction control off? I've heard many people say that you should in the past. I've never had a car with it before to have needed to know

[sms]

i know a renault driver with traction control who told me i would need to turn it off in the snow, but yes it would be interesting to hear from a skoda owner with experience on this.

[ScoobyChris]

The answer (as always) is it depends. You might find that if you are starting off, having traction control on will help modulate the power enough that you can translate power into forward motion. Relying on traction control to slow you down may also not be the fastest way but you'd likely also want to disable ABS to be able to lock your wheels....

Chris

[Guest musky]

My best advice to people who don't like driving in the snow (this is for UK only) is STAY AT HOME! Leave the snow and roads to those who like it!

[sms]

talking of snow.... the snow flake came up today for the first time ever it makes an audio noise too

[ScoobyChris]

talking of snow.... the snow flake came up today for the first time ever

Certainly did - gotta love whoever invented the heated windscreen

Chris

[Nud748]

even better get the wife out to get the car defrosted

[Captain Sisko]

Winter is here alright

I'll have to try the credit card thing

I dunno if its been posted but carry a cig lighter to warm up your key before sticking in lock.

My car was totally iced this morning and the drivers side lock would not turn.

Luckily the passenger side did.

[sms]

i'd rather press the blip to open it, however the fuel cap was iced solid tonight, so maybe some ideas for that be good, currently a bic biro does a good job to prise it open.

[Captain Sisko]

You'l need a key for when the pliper doesnt open the door. Only need that for if it gets REALLY cold and the electrics can't turn the lock.

[ScoobyChris]

If it's cold enough for the electrics not to be able to turn the lock, then I'm probably going to just stay in bed

Chris

[Evil Miyagi]

gotta love whoever invented the heated windscreen

Chris

Oh you have. It was quite enjoyable watching my neighbours (and my mum) de-icying their cars.

My process for icy mornings.

Get in

Start car

Press heated windscreen button (wait 30 secs)

Drive off

Admire the look on everybodies face as you do it.

[sms]

pull sheet off windscreen and go

[Captain Sisko]

[VWD]

Again possibly teaching about eggs -but better twice than not at all -approaching a hill -you'll possibly be going slower than normal, so will need to change down -do it early ,preferaby double declutch -don't wait till you're nearly stopped -that way you will as the change in torque at the wheels will spin the wheels .

Again -leave the wheelspining to top gear -little throttle and higher gear (if necessary )

Old dodge in RWD cars used to be to carry two old doormats/bits of carpet /old sack etc and some string .Tie string to rear of car ,move car onto doormats etc -drive off -the string will keep themsafe till you find somewhere to stop .Never tried it on a FWD car -never had to .