r/Glasgow Tools

Title
Author	Torran_Toi
Comment	The problem with this idea is that the kind of large area you are looking for will likely be covered in untouched, fresh snow, which is safer and less hazardous than regular wintery roads. Fresh snow is far, far easier to drive in than messed up, compacted, trodden on and driven over mush. Snow is also far, far easier to handle a car on than ice. You're less likely to spin out of control on fresh snow as you actually get decent traction on fresh snow because snow sticks to snow. This is the principle behind snow socks and winter tyre glue. I'm not saying don't do it. What I'm saying is don't let it lull you into a false sense of security. If you go find an empty car park and drive around it for a while in the snow you might come away from it thinking you've bossed it, but then back onto regular mushed, compacted, icy roads you might not be ready for the unexpected. If Covid would fuck off I would say the best thing any inexperienced driver should do is book themselves some time on a skid pan for some winter driving tuition. Money very well spent. And the best tips I can give you just so you have them in your head are: a) The most dangerous bits of road where you are most likely to spin out are bridges. There are a lot of bridges that we cross over without even realizing it. Bridges over railways, bridges over small waterways, bridges over pedestrian tunnels, etc. Basically anywhere that cold air can circulate underneath the driving surface will be the most slippy bits of road. Try to never touch your brakes when going over a bridge in this weather. It's usually brake action that causes a spin. b) Learn to control your engine speed using the gearbox and clutch. Don't rely on just your brakes to bring you to a stop. Move down your gears... 4, 3, 2, 1. At each lift of the clutch (slowly lift) 'engine braking' will slow you down so that you are relying on your foot brake less. c) Even above zero degrees can be dangerous - again, especially on bridges. Around 4 degrees is when black ice patches can form on the roads. Not a major concern this week, but try to remember for future that anything less 5 degrees requires you move into winter thinking when driving. D) The only real way you will learn how to control your car during a spin with absolute confidence, is by physically practicing it by putting it into a spin and regaining control. I do not recommend you do this in an empty car park! Go to a skid pan and do it in the practice cars instead.
Reddit Link	https://www.reddit.com/r/glasgow/comments/ksvl9f/the_steamie_friday_8_january_2021/gijd15j/
Created	Fri 8th Jan 2021 1:13pm
Status	normal ()

The problem with this idea is that the kind of large area you are looking for will likely be covered in untouched, fresh snow, which is safer and less hazardous than regular wintery roads.

Fresh snow is far, far easier to drive in than messed up, compacted, trodden on and driven over mush. Snow is also far, far easier to handle a car on than ice.

You're less likely to spin out of control on fresh snow as you actually get decent traction on fresh snow because snow sticks to snow. This is the principle behind snow socks and winter tyre glue.

I'm not saying don't do it. What I'm saying is don't let it lull you into a false sense of security. If you go find an empty car park and drive around it for a while in the snow you might come away from it thinking you've bossed it, but then back onto regular mushed, compacted, icy roads you might not be ready for the unexpected.

If Covid would fuck off I would say the best thing any inexperienced driver should do is book themselves some time on a skid pan for some winter driving tuition. Money very well spent.

And the best tips I can give you just so you have them in your head are:

a) The most dangerous bits of road where you are most likely to spin out are bridges. There are a lot of bridges that we cross over without even realizing it. Bridges over railways, bridges over small waterways, bridges over pedestrian tunnels, etc. Basically anywhere that cold air can circulate underneath the driving surface will be the most slippy bits of road. Try to never touch your brakes when going over a bridge in this weather. It's usually brake action that causes a spin.

b) Learn to control your engine speed using the gearbox and clutch. Don't rely on just your brakes to bring you to a stop. Move down your gears... 4, 3, 2, 1. At each lift of the clutch (slowly lift) 'engine braking' will slow you down so that you are relying on your foot brake less.

c) Even above zero degrees can be dangerous - again, especially on bridges. Around 4 degrees is when black ice patches can form on the roads. Not a major concern this week, but try to remember for future that anything less 5 degrees requires you move into winter thinking when driving.

D) The only real way you will learn how to control your car during a spin with absolute confidence, is by physically practicing it by putting it into a spin and regaining control. I do not recommend you do this in an empty car park! Go to a skid pan and do it in the practice cars instead.