Stopping Distance on Snow Covered Pavement

A

ajwalks

New member
Team,
2010 5th Gen Limited owner, I have limited experience in snow driving and I've noticed some issues stopping on snow covered pavement, and as you might guess specifically on downhill. Suggestions? Prob about 4-5 inches of snow, about 32 degrees when it most recently happened. Am I just driving too fast for conditions, or are there pro-active measures I should be taking based on the options I have in this vehicle?
Thanks.
 
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ajwalks said:
Am I just driving too fast for conditions, or are there pro-active measures I should be taking based on the options I have in this vehicle?
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Yes and yes... go slower, leave more following space, plan ahead (ie, slow down at the top of the hill instead of on it). And if you're hovering around 32, you're likely encountering some melting and freezing creating some pretty slick ice.

I'm undecided on braking vs. downshifting... I think it is hard to recommend doing something unusual during times when you will need to be the most focused on the road.

One problem with 4x4 is that it lets drivers get into situations that they have trouble handling... especially in snow and ice. 4x4 is great to help you go, but does relatively little to help you stop.
 
The only proactive measures you can take are downshift, plan ahead and drive slower. winter tires could reduce stopping distance too, but not for much.
 
To correct the above proper winter tires will dramatically reduce stopping distances in snow/ice conditions.
 
Eagle said:
Yes and yes... go slower, leave more following space, plan ahead (ie, slow down at the top of the hill instead of on it). And if you're hovering around 32, you're likely encountering some melting and freezing creating some pretty slick ice.

I'm undecided on braking vs. downshifting... I think it is hard to recommend doing something unusual during times when you will need to be the most focused on the road.

One problem with 4x4 is that it lets drivers get into situations that they have trouble handling... especially in snow and ice. 4x4 is great to help you go, but does relatively little to help you stop.
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Good for the go...slow with the woah. (woah there nelly)

Anyhow...I've been driving in snow for 21 years. Doesn't bother me anymore (any conditions).

If you're slipping and sliding and you've lost control...just let it play out. If you want to avoid the car in front of you, aim for the ditch. If you don't...hit them. What else are you going to do?

Take a pragmatic approach to life. Everything will work out.

If you really want to learn how to drive in snow go learn how to do doughnuts in an empty parking lot. Better if you have a FWD car to practice with.

Enter the parking lot with your FWD car, engage the parking brake and mash the accelerator. Hang on.
 
jrhaze said:
To correct the above proper winter tires will dramatically reduce stopping distances in snow/ice conditions.
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Agreed, huge difference stopping, starting, turning, etc. anyone that says it doesn't, has crappy winter tires, michelin x ice rock.

OP slow down until you get proper tires... Especially going downhill, easiest place to skid because of the momentum...
 
ajwalks said:
Team,
2010 5th Gen Limited owner, I have limited experience in snow driving and I've noticed some issues stopping on snow covered pavement, and as you might guess specifically on downhill. Suggestions? Prob about 4-5 inches of snow, about 32 degrees when it most recently happened. Am I just driving too fast for conditions, or are there pro-active measures I should be taking based on the options I have in this vehicle?
Thanks.
Click to expand...

Not sure what kind of overall experience you have, but remember the 4R has ABS so get on the brakes and stay on them instead of pumping them or it will take you longer to stop. Also the roads can be more slippery around freezing because you can get a thin layer of water over any ice, which I believe greatly reduces your drag coefficient (where's 1engineer? I bet his face lights up when he reads that) compared to just plain ice. Winter tires with good siping will help with this.

scanny said:
The only proactive measures you can take are downshift, plan ahead and drive slower. winter tires could reduce stopping distance too, but not for much.
Click to expand...

I agree with driving to the conditions, planning ahead, and downshifting - though if you downshift too much on, say, a downhill your rear wheels might go faster than your front and swing out. I totally disagree with you on the winter tires though. There are plenty of tests with empirical evidence to prove that winter tires will greatly reduce stopping distance in most cases.
 
scanny said:
Oh... vs stock all season tires of course : )
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They reduce stopping distances a lot, up to 35% in some cases. Not to mention the avoidance measures.

Even if its too late to stop, with winter tires on your can release the brake and steer your way to avoiding an accident/pedestrian much easier too.

If I lived in a place like Baltimore like the OP, maybe I couldn't justify the cost though, do in that case, do all of your driving in manual mode and slow down on the gears well in advance.
 
40 years driving in snow

40 years driving in snow/ice have taught me a few things:
1. Stopping takes longer
2. Starting takes longer
3. Cornering ability is less
4. Leave earlier
5. Drive slower, but steady
6. Be patient
7. Overconfidence causes accidents
Most of all,
8. DON'T BE STUPID, YOU ARE NOT A PROFESSIONAL DRIVER!
 
Yes, tires do make a difference coming to a stop or getting started. Not so much when sliding on ice. [MENTION=66300]Intruder[/MENTION] you are absolutely correct. I will close with a tip learned from years of driving on snow and ice covered hills:
If the road is extremely slick, meaning you could actually slide downward even when stopped) put two wheels over on the berm or side of the road. There is dirt and small gravels over there that will greatly aid stopping and starting in these type of conditions. A few years ago I went up a hill with two wheels in a ditch simply because there was better traction in the small ditch than there was on the road. Same going down a hill: Put two wheels off the road slightly for a controlled decent. Again, type of tires do not matter when you are sliding.
 
I find I have much better stopping control coming down snowy hills using the tranny in manual mode. Keeps me from going to fast. Driving at a reduced speed is critical to a safe stop on snow packed pavement tapping the brakes intermittently helps also.
 
Anyone have first hand experience with DAC (downhill assist control) on extreme slopes that are icy? We get ice storms every few years and was wondering if it's of any use.
 
1engineer said:
Yes, tires do make a difference coming to a stop or getting started. Not so much when sliding on ice. [MENTION=66300]Intruder[/MENTION] you are absolutely correct. I will close with a tip learned from years of driving on snow and ice covered hills:
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Really good advice for sure. Another one when it comes to snow and ice is to remember that the gas is your friend and its okay to slide a bit. Sometimes I watch people just dive on the brake at the first side of any slippage which is basically giving your fate up to the road and hoping it all works out.

Don't just immediately brake and turn against the slide you're taking, turn with it and keep accelerating if you can.
 
I don't know if this was said but it goes along with the down shifting option. If you're going faster than you like or feel comfortable with and you down shift to go slower, you're most likely going to find yourself sideways and in another lane. Down shifting is a good option within specific speeds. EX: If you're running on ice and you quit running, you're going to slide until you A) Run into something or B) Friction eventually slows you down. Trust me, it's not as fun in a car!
 
STLDAVE said:
40 years driving in snow/ice have taught me a few things:
1. Stopping takes longer
2. Starting takes longer
3. Cornering ability is less
4. Leave earlier
5. Drive slower, but steady
6. Be patient
7. Overconfidence causes accidents
Most of all,
8. DON'T BE STUPID, YOU ARE NOT A PROFESSIONAL DRIVER!
Click to expand...

good list :)

I would like to add this one on.. "4X4/traction control- does not mean you have freakin' ice skates on"

I drove past a guy the other day and gave him a big old "you're an idiot" wave... he was in his brand new bmw 645, parked on top of a bent over stop sign. He drifted right off the road took it out with the side of his brand new car... stuck. sitting right on top of it, with it poking out under his driver side door.
I'll bet he thought his traction control was going to hold him on the snow covered road. He maybe had a set of all season's (if that). In this area we fluctuate around freezing and just above- makes perfect black ice.
I constantly drive past beemers and mercedes cars doing similar things. Most of the time they can't make it down their own the streets. :clap2:

anyhow! good list :)
 
nw_4Runner said:
Anyone have first hand experience with DAC (downhill assist control) on extreme slopes that are icy? We get ice storms every few years and was wondering if it's of any use.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I was interested in that as well, but didn't see any comments on the DAC.
 
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