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May, 2025

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How to Drive in Snow

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californiagrown
Posts: 9794 - Karma: 2,014
So im just going to continue the stereotype here that californians can't drive in the snow. I have always had my old man drive me up to tahoe, and in college up here at WSU i never had a car so always rode with friends. So in the interests of keeping all NS'ers safe this winter driving on shitty mountain roads i think we should have a tip list to driving in the snow/ice.

I'll Start:

-Pump brakes to slow down gradually, or shift down if in a manual


GOOOOO!!
15 years ago
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Msully
Posts: 575 - Karma: 21
if you do the speed limit get the fuck outta my way
15 years ago
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skithecanada
Posts: 638 - Karma: 56
Slam breaks to come to a complete stop.

Don't waste money on winter tires. Why drive well in one season when you can drive average in all four?
15 years ago
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Trojan~Man
Posts: 1996 - Karma: 1,357
to OP : shouldn't pump brakes if you have ABS brakes... but if you dont then yes.
15 years ago
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jibnut
Posts: 3038 - Karma: 304
Oh no! The fights out
15 years ago
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Elmo.
Posts: 4320 - Karma: 669
if you start to slide:
put the car into neutral
stay calm
turn into the side the car if swinging too (back end goes right, turn right)
once you regain some control put it into drive and keep on going.

15 years ago
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GayWolf420
Posts: 38091 - Karma: 129,677
I'm bout to punch yo...Lights out!
15 years ago
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EastCoast...
Posts: 228 - Karma: 10
e brake
15 years ago
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howlongcanausern
Posts: 4982 - Karma: 1,737
Get the FUCK back, guard ya grill
15 years ago
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The_Oakley_Kid
Posts: 3128 - Karma: 179
gas it and mash it!
15 years ago
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bananas
Posts: 1419 - Karma: 160
make it number one priority to run over people like this
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15 years ago
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Download-My-Apps
Posts: 5069 - Karma: 1,017
don't over correct if you slide, and go easy on the breaks.
15 years ago
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Mike-O
Posts: 14593 - Karma: 1,089
What are the laws over there? Can you use studded tires or just M+S?

15 years ago
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GayWolf420
Posts: 38091 - Karma: 129,677
Run over dogs? Thats fucked up, Bro.
15 years ago
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Peach.
Posts: 3879 - Karma: 933
Personaly I drive in snow sideways but thats just me.
15 years ago
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Klick_2_klaim
Posts: 3396 - Karma: 25
just buy Blizzaks, they have a super gangst name, and are pretty nice on snow and ice brah!
15 years ago
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Mike-O
Posts: 14593 - Karma: 1,089
Over here it's a requirement to have at least two couple hour sessions of supervised slippery/ice track driving before you get your permanent license. It really helps to understand how the swing weight affects your maneuverability when avoiding things.
15 years ago
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jibnut
Posts: 3038 - Karma: 304
Maybe he just means people who look like their dogs..? Either way. Messed up.
15 years ago
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Elg
Posts: 2998 - Karma: 3,881
In Norway you wont survive if you can't drive on snow. I make it up some pretty damn steep mountain roads in my old beat up mazda 626 from 1990 with bad snow tires. Its all about not making any sudden moves, and you're good.
15 years ago
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Mike-O
Posts: 14593 - Karma: 1,089
Don't have too much experience, but driving a taxi to the hospital near Stryn was a horrific ordeal; the taxi driver lady was just chatting shit up and actually looking at the sweet granny riding shotgun while going 70+ km/h into balls-to-the-wall hairline turns. Some of the craziest adrenaline rushes in my life.
15 years ago
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clark.
Posts: 308 - Karma: 14
Be gradual on everything
Give cars extra space
Know how fish-tailing/drifting feels so that you can correct it
Don't panic if you see an Asian. Just stay calm and hopefully everything will be alright
15 years ago
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fujarome
Posts: 8630 - Karma: 1,561
anticipate. be prepared for what could happen, even if it isn't happening. nothing worse than suddenly sliding out of control and being completely caught off guard.


really the best way to learn is wait til a decent snow storm, then find a big empty parking lot, no other cars or light poles, and slide around. Put yourself into bad situations and learn how to get out of them without risking hitting something, going off the road, and so on.

advice is good, but when you're sliding down the road sideways, the last thing you'll be thinking is "now what did NS say do to do about this, now?"
15 years ago
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MurderBert
Posts: 427 - Karma: 47
hahahahahahahahahaha
15 years ago
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Elg
Posts: 2998 - Karma: 3,881
Haha female taxidrivers in norway probably drives better than most americans on snow. sorry, but it's true. They're all driving rwd mercedes' with bold tires, and they still get me home somewhat safe every weekend.
15 years ago
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Mike-O
Posts: 14593 - Karma: 1,089
Yeah, that's what I meant - her confidence on the road was awe-inspiring.
15 years ago
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PASKIINGSUCKS
Posts: 9097 - Karma: 777
slow down before a turn not at it.

get speed before an uphill so you don't get stuck spinning.

spend money on good tires.
15 years ago
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chicken
Posts: 6844 - Karma: 2,122
what do you mean by pump the breaks? just be gradual with them, and if your wheels lock up, ease off quickly, but just a bit, and then apply pressure again. This only really applys to an emergency situation because most of the time you should be slowing down gradually enough that you don't come near to locking your wheels.

Also sometimes gas is better than breaks

And the most important is always make sure to bust a big old 360 when you finally make it to the parking lot
15 years ago
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95959
Posts: 2765 - Karma: 364
Say fuck it and Tokyo drift that bitch.
15 years ago
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-justice-
Posts: 1808 - Karma: 37
Assume the worst
15 years ago
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Ski4frnt4445
Posts: 420 - Karma: 132

try some new tricks out, like 270 onto the gardrail then maby a front 270 out or something cool like that, iv gotten 450 on 270 out on a prius

15 years ago
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steezyjibber
Posts: 15967 - Karma: 11,027
From personal experience:

1. Do not try to drift in ANYWHERE other than a big parking lot. This year i tried to drift on a thin road and ended up in a ditch. I got out of the ditch and then proceeded to drive up to the parking lot, where my car slipped and hit another car.

2. Overall, don't drive too fast. You will regret it.

3. Get snow tires. They use em in vermont all the time, so they should be used in the rest of the northeast.
15 years ago
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cum
Posts: 308 - Karma: 8
HAHAHAHAHA....i love you
15 years ago
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SkierX
Posts: 16253 - Karma: 538
Snow and ice take regular vehicle mechanics and exaggerate them at slower speeds. The trick is recognizing this and adjusting your speed and following distances accordingly based on the traction that you have available to you. Most people fail at recognizing how much traction is available to them.

Snow tires increase traction on snow and ice by as much as 40-50% and can be purchased for less than the cost of your insurance deductable. If they save you from an accident once in the 2-3 winters that they will last, they are worth the money spent. If you don't get into an accident, you either saved the cost of your insurance deductable, or just saved time and headache.

As fujarome mentioned, next snowfall, get your ass over to a snow covered, empty lot with nothing that can be run into and feel how the car reacts in certain situations. Spend some time doing slides and recovering from them. Spend time taking a turn and hitting the brake midturn and see how this effects vehicle control. You will learn the vehicles limits, as well as learn how to react in certain situations. These actions need to become an automatic reaction. If you have to think of what to do in a situation where you are sliding, it is too late.
15 years ago
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bootleg_BEN
Posts: 2499 - Karma: 44
I wouldnt suggest putting the car in nuetral. You lose alot of control once you have no power. Keep it in drive and just work the slide back, and go straght.

I dont understand how people cant drive in snowy weather, its no that hard. I enjoy its fun, and different than going straight on dry pavement every day, but i also enjoy racing and know cars.
15 years ago
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.jersey
Posts: 1925 - Karma: 9
if you start to slide panic, jam on the breaks, and turn the steering wheel toward the oncoming lane.
15 years ago
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1337
Posts: 31078 - Karma: 29,667
10/10
15 years ago
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Ski_the_east01
Posts: 5203 - Karma: 2,306
do not do this. very bad idea

also good call on whoever said not to tap on brakes if he has abs..it will negate the positive effects of having an abs system

what is just as important as not slamming on the brakes is not lifting your foot quickly off the gas (especially in a rwd or awd vehicle)


15 years ago
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beezey
Posts: 9027 - Karma: 427
To get the fuck out of my way
15 years ago
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Liam.Butler
Posts: 709 - Karma: 17
anytime you have to stop quickly steer to the left hard and reef your parking break as hard as possible.
15 years ago
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theabortionator
Posts: 52624 - Karma: 174,557
Good tires, manual transmission, slow down if the roads are shitty, don't follow closely, if you go sideways on a corner don't hit the brakes/drop it down and accelerate.


That's all i got right now

15 years ago
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Gaespar
Posts: 914 - Karma: 13
FWD, you'll go straight in the dich, BWD/AWD you'll slide and hopefully get it sorted out
15 years ago
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twin-tip-hero
Posts: 2896 - Karma: 277
take you seatbelt off and curl into a little ball and hope for the best. 2/700 times it comes out in your favor.
15 years ago
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7-3instacall
Posts: 1000 - Karma: 1,007
drift in your neighbourhood to get the feel of it. then just dont do quick movements cause it makes a whole fucking difference
15 years ago
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stephengillboy
Posts: 462 - Karma: 191
downshift downshift downshift...works wonders up and down hills
15 years ago
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J-Evs
Posts: 6387 - Karma: 1,615
Click for larger image
15 years ago
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drumbumocdp
Posts: 3230 - Karma: 1,108
Pretty much sums it up right there. Also, learning how to counter steer is important.
15 years ago
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Petey.
Posts: 5736 - Karma: 4,894
I'm not sure why but I lol'd
15 years ago
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Poon_Handler
Posts: 361 - Karma: 42
15 years ago
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BOSSignol
Posts: 593 - Karma: 16
Dont follow too closely.
15 years ago
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Rachy
Posts: 4355 - Karma: 2,761
bottom of an icy hill with no room to get any momentum. Throw it into second and very slowly give it gas.

Drive an automatic... well I'm sorry.
15 years ago
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Tyrone
Posts: 315 - Karma: 3
I like the way you think.
15 years ago
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