I lived in DC till I was 18... 1/16" of snow shuts down the Government. Great when you're in school... terrible if you have to drive in a city that thinks it's a Southern town and has no snow removal equipment.

At least, that's how it USED to be.

 

Still is. Unbelievable.

 

I think they want it that way. Snow Days = Federal Employees get to stay home, after all...

 

well I managed to get out of my parking spot (street parking on a road that does not get plowed) so getting out is better than last year Had to use some monster fluffys to brush the car off.

 

I love driving in snow. I just wish the idiots who don't know how to would stay home...

 

Have you ever noticed that everyone feels that they know how to drive in the snow, but no one else does. I know that's the way I feel. Have you ever heard anyone from the north say"I'm terrible at driving in the snow"

 

Actually, I have. And it was a Norwegian in Oslo who said it.

 

My first car was a 1959 Morris Mini Minor. I learned to drive a stick on that car and got the car in the early 60s when I was 17. I drove it to high school and later to college. I lived in Massillon and back then, it snowed a lot from November thru March. I never got stuck...well, once I did, to see if a "Car and Driver" article was true about the Mini getting out of ANY snowdrift, so I purposely plowed into a drift one evening when little traffic was on the road...got out of the car, straightened up the front wheels, put the stick into reverse, and let the idle "back" me out while I guided the steering wheel thru the slider window. My wheels were 10" and the regular tires were 520s. Over the years, I've seen a crapload of cars and trucks with far "better" inclement weather equipment get stuck in very little snow or skid offroad in slush or ice, when all their drivers had to do was to use some common driving sense instead of driving as if their heads were securely fastened inside the seat of their pants.

Since then, I've had two times when I DID get stuck, but both times were in rear wheel drive cars. Neither car was equipped with all season tires because that was "before their times". One time I needed a tow truck's help, but the other time all I needed to do was to remember that old "C&D" article...keep my wheels straight, and slowly back out...works for me!

 

I spent an afternoon intentionally skidding in a big, open parking lot. After a few dozen slides, the sensation is no longer startling or surprising, and the brain can still function. Now, whenever I start to feel a slide, I instinctively know how to steer out of it, why I should NOT tap the brakes and all of that. I strongly believe that there's no such thing as "instinctual" good driving in snow - it's a learned skill just like driving itself. I plan to take my daughter, who is just now learning to drive, out this winter and do the same with her.

 

You're goin' to intentionally skid your daughter around a parking lot a few dozen times and hope her brain still functions I'm calling Kara and warning her

 

LOL... I'll do it in HER car.

 

I took back roads into work today and most of the cars I saw in the ditch were right across from the entrances to housing developments. I even got to watch it happen....car starts to pull out into traffic, accelarates to avoid oncoming traffic, car starts sliding, ends up in ditch.

 

I learned to drive in snow on winding hilly roads which I beleive helped a lot. I still understand that I have lots of room to improve and am actually probably not that great at driving in it, but man do I have fun doing it, empty intersection, slippery road, parking brake is fun!

 

Has anyone heard from Chuck today? I figured he would be the first to "bust" me over the chin incident. Maybe he's out playing in the snow with Bab's Forrester

 

Do silverbacks like snow? He might be out sled riding or skiing. Look what I found:

 

Mark, I had a bad chill come down my back when I saw you started this thread. I expected something like this might happen with your setup. I think we even joked about the "snow plow" effect at the last breakfast together.

I hope you were joking about getting the Zeemax, but now is a really good opportunity to get the Hamann front bumper, but I've heard it's not cheap.

http://www.seriouswheels.com/cars/to...i-Cooper-S.htm

 

If any of you guys want a set of snows I have a set of Pirelli Winter carvings 195/60/15 on 8 spoke Cooper wheels. PM me for details.

Once you drive on real snow tires all seasons will never do again.

Man I loved passing all the SUV's this morning. Big fun!!!

 

Busted chin, that's why I like full face helmets.

I can set you up with a real set of snows for your long haul commute.

Sorry about your car Mark.

 

well here in lake county we had about 2 inchs. boopie had the rental and she was fine. but i have to say the rustang is less then mini like but all was well. oh and i have to say that was not snow that was rain that that hung around

 

Looks like reverse lake effect. We had more snow down here in Hooterville than you guys in the belt of snow. It sure was a stinkin wet snow. That makes the going much tougher. It was good for hand brake turns.

 

I am dealing with the snow by doing e-brake slides around every traffic-free corner.

 

Mini's in the garage, the snowplow is on the dodge.

 

Honestly... I think the Zeemax would look better on Mark's car, no offense. It's a very aggressive scheme, and the Zeemax is, well, more over the top. it wouldn't work on every car, no doubt, but on THAT car...

 

1-3 more inches on the way tonite = more "driving fun" for tomorrow [especially on the uneven ice base]

 

This morning I tested the skidplate out on some freeway bergs. Made a nasty sound , but my oil pan is intact.