It's that time of year! Here are a few techniques and advice we've all needed and used, hope it's helpful, I've culled these from a bunch of other threads & knowledge, not trying to come off as a know-it-all, but rather passing along knowledge gained from all over. Please add any you can think of! Intelligent discourse welcome!

Can't say this enough: Snow tires are TONS better than even the best new all-seasons in snow. I recognize that a lot of folks have "gotten by fine on all seasons". I was one of them. We've tested them with PittStopMINI, back to back. All testers agreed, winter tires are hands-down better in winter. A package for minis is under $600 at Tirerack.com, or check the tires classifieds on NAM. There's no better winter investment you can make. Compare the cost of snow tires to your insurance deductible and the hassle of injury, towing, repairing, etc.

Of course, if your area doesn't get much snow, please at least consider the condition and winter-worthiness of your tires.

Other tips:

1) Make sure the Driver is ready! PRACTICE! Know how you & your car will respond! As soon as snow falls, drive carefully to a deserted parking lot with no light poles or potholes (scout it out beforehand). Drive the car, really DRIVE it, to see what it'll do and how it feels. Hit the brakes HARD to see how the ABS feels, then hit the brakes gently and see if you can tell when one, two, or more tires are starting to "lock" (brake pulsations). Leave lots of space. Remember, you should STEER while the ABS is pulsing. Your BEST bet may be to take a winter driving school - PittStopMINI (through BeaveRun) offers one on February 22 this winter - a little late for "early season" practice, but the lesson lasts a lifetime - and it's a TON of fun!

2) GENTLE! Drive like there's a raw egg between you and EVERY conrol in the car. Leave lots of space. Don't slip the clutch too much, just enough for a gentle start. Often you will want to ease onto the clutch and barely (if at all) on the gas - you want to maintain that slim amount of traction you have. 2)b. Remember the Saw technique: If you're understeering in a turn (front wheel skid), gently (but quickly) working the wheel side to side can actually get you turning again. 2) c. Know how your DSC/ASC works, and when you might want it "off" - like when you're starting out on a slippery road surface. (Practice...!)

3) Momentum: In case you have hills in your part of the world, momentum can be your friend, but use it wisely. Don't stop on uphills if you can avoid it! Conserve momentum - but also consider you never want TOO much momentum! Don't do something you'll have to undo later, like accelerate too hard. Watch stop signs and intersections: Before the salt trucks get out, these get ICY - quickly. Be aware.

4) Use the HIGHEST gear you can for the conditions. Don't "lug" the engine, but you don't want excess torque breaking your traction. Upshift (to a higher numbered gear) sooner than you ordinarily would. Lower gears give more torque, which is great for acceleration on dry pavement but can spin the tires on low-traction surfaces.

5) Clutch in or neutral when braking, almost always. Don't downshift no matter HOW much it makes you sound like a rally driver. Using the brakes alone doesn't let the engine interfere with front/rear brake bias or ABS. You do NOT necessarily want only the front wheels doing the braking, as they would during a downshift. (* note: see below, exceptions exist, this is a generality, but in most conditions, use the brakes). 5)b. Don't forget to steer away from the obstacle! The main advantage of ABS is NOT shorter stopping distances - it's the ability to steer while braking. Don't forget to steer!

6) With snows on, try not to laugh too hard at the SUVs on bald all-seasons thinking they can go anywhere. You have as many tires with brakes and steering as they do. 4WD just allows a car to get moving in conditions where (arguably) one shouldn't be driving. It doesn't help stop or brake, and the additional weight usually hurts stopping and braking.

7) When it's cold, the rubber in your tires gets harder. Even on dry pavement, you'll have reduced traction. Your car will also make more noises since everything's stiff. Go easy, at least until things are warmed up.

8) Keep an emergency kit in your car. Sleeping bag or blanket, jacket, gloves, a little non-perishable food (energy bars are great), a small bottle or two of water, candle (don't forget waterproof matches!)maybe a small folding shovel. I've known people in New JERSEY (fer cryin out loud!) who've been surprised and trapped by snow/ice storms overnight - during their commute home! It's more common than you think, and can happen to you.

With due respect, that AAA card and cellphone are great, but won't keep you warm and alive, winter tires trump all-seasons, that light jacket won't cut it, bring your gloves and hat, eat all your vegetables, and be extra nice to others - they may be the ones with the tow cable.

Used and equipped wisely, your Mini is a great winter vehicle - just be aware, it is small and your ground clearance is limited, but other than that get on out there and have some fun.

I think that's about it... good luck, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from me and PittSTopMINI!

 

Great Tips!! Practice does make perfect...just like our MINIs!!

 

Good advice!

 

I would argue with number 5. At times when you try to use only the brakes, you might slide. In this instance, engine braking would actually help.

 

If you rev match, then the wheels won't spin on the downshift on slippery ground.

 

I appreciate your viewpoint, guys, but I'm standing firm on #5. The engine brakes only the front wheels in the Mini and can cause understeer and consequent loss of control in low traction situations. Decelerating under engine braking (without brakes involved) also negates ABS.

Brakes and ABS work on all 4, and are easier/more intuitive to modulate.

(note: To me, nothing matches the one-ness of road-dancing, blip-throttle matched-rev downshifts to accelerate smoothly out of corners... this isn't that. We're talking basic, hazardous weather snow control techniques here. You're in foul weather, wearing heavy shoes, getting from point A to point B. Nothing fancy, just keeping 'er between the lines - or ditches, since the lines are obscured by frozen crud!)

 

When you have done all of the above, then you are ready for the next phase....the MINI Snowplow. See attached pic.

 

 

No offence intended but almost anyone I've spoken to in Wisconsin have attested to the fact that engine braking have successfully braked when their brakes alone haven't. We're not talking about exclusive use of just the engine braking. However, when road surface is slick and stopping the wheels from spinning alone(just braking) might not do it. In that instance engine braking would slow down the spinning of wheels.

And how is engine braking a fancy technique? It's just pretty much downshifting. Oh well maybe we might have to just agree to disagree here.

 

I'm talking more in general, while you're somewhat referring to more specific issues and techniques. I do see your point. In some situations engine braking WITH (or instead of) the use of brakes can act as ABS does - to keep the tire spinning but at a rate slower than the car is traveling, thus renewing the tire/snow surface instead of sliding. It works, but it's also specific technique for a specific situation, and believe it or not proper matched-rev downshifting is more an art form than an "everybody can do it" technique (kudos if you're among those who smoothly downshifts). For basic driving and driver skills, either "let the ABS do the work" braking or threshold braking (with practice) is going to get you through most often.

In general, downshifting is for preparing the car to accelerate after braking, rather than for retarding motion. The reason rally fans hear the whEEoo whEEoo whEEoo of downshifting on decel has more to do with sequential gearboxes than with slowing the car.

Sooo... We're actually agreeing in some ways, so I'll agree to disagree, but mainly agree at the same time It's all good.

 

Geez Dixon, I believe this might be one of those rare times when people agree on an internet forum-and do so amicably. Time to buy the lottery~ woot! It's a good day, it's definitely a good day. =D

 

Yeah, I guess to me there's a person behind each screen name, and I'm using a keyboard, not a spotting scope! Enjoy your night - hope it's warmer than here (4 deg, wind chill -15 to -25 tonight in Pittsburgh!)

 

Good driving tips. I'm one who also prefers to gear down/rev match when decelerating in snowy conditions rather than braking. I feel more in control of the vehicle that way, especially in the MINI with its front wheel drive. It also helps maintain momentum better than braking.

 

I modified the initial post to take into account information in the subsequent posts re/ momentum and downshifting. There are certainly some conditions where downshifting works but, for most drivers and most winter conditions, simply use the brakes! With ABS (especially in combination with DSC) you can quite literally stand on the brakes, steer, and let the computer sort things out. In most cases.

Almost forgot (initial post now modified): The primary advantage of ABS is the ability to steer while braking. Lots of people get into the ABS and mentally lock up, driving straight into what they want to avoid. Remember to steer.

Also: No technology can trump the laws of physics.

 

cant rev match with the MINI auto trans... careful braking and keeping as high a gear as possible w/o lugging the engine works well here.

Also, the taller and narrower the snow tires, the better the overall traction (and ground clearance). Since I have a Toyota PU with studded snows as my deep snow vehicle, I find the Conti Pro Contacts do pretty well, as long as the snow aint too deep.

Otherwise, other than focused on maunal trannies, good tips

 

interesting about the Saw Technique (2b in the OP )....never heard of it but plan to play aound and try it...........

 

I believe you can see video of it on www.beaverun.com under their winter driving school - it's really odd but it works.

PittStopMINI has a Wintry Driving Refresher up there almost every year. This year it's Feb22 - we get to practice where nobody bothers us, and we're encouraged to get the car all crossed up - how cool is that?

 

Brakes are for slowing/stopping a car, the engine is used to make the brakes needed. Yes under hard driving/track conditions engine braking/prepping for a good exit gear takes rev matching, some heal toe even But motoring around in snow, deep stuff, takes a gentle touch on not only the throttle, but how you point the car, and try and make it stop. Driving in the dark, foot of snow on the ground, and 0 visibility, forge on, just be gentle.

Mark

 

Tip #9) If all else fails...park your MINI and take the MTA!

 

That's actually PERFECT - know when to NOT drive is a GREAT tip, and perhaps the most difficult for us to recognize. We all feel invincible, and we all feel we're "above average" drivers. Reminds me of Garrison Keillor's Lake Wobegon: "Where all the men are handsome, all the women are pretty, and all the children are above average". I'm leaving that one down here in the thread, but am tempted to add it up above as well...

 

Dixon....did you mean that on that site there is a video to watch of the Saw Technique?....couldn't find it

 

OK I was gonna ask about the saw technique, but seen the video. It under Winter Driving Course under WPXI TV News Video

 

Thanks for posting that link!

 

thanks....got to see the 'saw' in action

 

It's weird, it feels awkward, but it does work. I've seen Tim do it, I've done it. It works on the same principle as ABS or "pumping the brakes", only sideways.