Driving In The Snow

[Stuart_B]

I've got an Audi A3 and I can't afford to miss another day. Im afternoons today and it's still coming down.

The advice im getting from my old man is 'let air out of your tyres'. Should I do this? And to all 4? Or just front 2, back 2? Also, how much should I let out??

Any advice appreciated.

[Sam]

I've always let a few PSI out (32 down to 30) the tyres on the driven wheels but I carry a tyre compressor pump for when I hit the salted/clear roads.

How far do you have to travel? Do you need to travel? If it's as bad as your post is hinting towards, is it worth the risk?

[BenR]

Why let air out? This will increase the footprint of the tread on the road, which will reduce the ground pressure and make the tyre even more prone to slipping. You will end up like one of those BMWs, which have big fat tyres that are great on dry tarmac and a joke on snow.

Reducing tyre pressure is only relevant on sand where you want to spread the weight as much as possible.

[zollaf]

because the reduced pressure puts more tread in contact with the road, more tread on the road = more grip. this technique is also used in mud, where pressures as low as 10 psi are often used, although usually with tubes or bead lockers, to prevent the tyre falling off the rim. indeed, ground pressure is reduced so the ability to cut through fresh snow is reduced, but when driving on hard pack, you do notice the benefits.

[Eshrules]

because the reduced pressure puts more tread in contact with the road, more tread on the road = more grip. this technique is also used in mud, where pressures as low as 10 psi are often used, although usually with tubes or bead lockers, to prevent the tyre falling off the rim. indeed, ground pressure is reduced so the ability to cut through fresh snow is reduced, but when driving on hard pack, you do notice the benefits.

couldn't have said it better myself Zol.

if ever it were needed :

[gaz2923]

use the handbrake for corners

[nottmtrucker]

Too many people seem to rush everything, try and run on ice and see where it gets you, walk slowly and carefully and you succeed, same with driving. The other skill to driving in the snow is not to brake! use your gears to slow down watching the revs as you do! and reading the road ahead to judge your required speed. thereby reducing the need to stop especially on hills and you'll find you'll get up most hills. if you do stop and find you're skidding all over, again, the skill is to move off slowly no rushing and not allowing the wheels to spin by easing off the clutch only, without stalling the car letting the idle speed take you forward and generally this is all you need to crawl up the hill, believe me it works! And lastly clear all the snow off the car it's a hazard for other road users

[phil miller]

use the handbrake for corners

and that is safe driving???? the main problem with driving in the snow is people who dont know how to, over the last week ive seen people spinning there wheels trying to pull away, all that does is make it harderd for everyone else as the surface gets very slippy, ive also watched people go to fast and press the brakes another no go, i live on dartmoor and have a 10 mile drive to work, mostly on untreated roads, i can get from home to work without touching the brakes by thinking ahead and using my gearbox to keep control, i must admit im very impressed with the esp on the golf, the hill down to my road is a sheet of ice but (touch wood) my car will go up and come down without any problems, yes going up i may get the odd flash of the esp light but coming down its perfect, i had the misfortune to drive a mk4 astra today, all i will say is im glad i own a golf

[MalcQV]

..sideways, everyways, everydays

[potshot]

because the reduced pressure puts more tread in contact with the road, more tread on the road = more grip. this technique is also used in mud, where pressures as low as 10 psi are often used, although usually with tubes or bead lockers, to prevent the tyre falling off the rim. indeed, ground pressure is reduced so the ability to cut through fresh snow is reduced, but when driving on hard pack, you do notice the benefits.

Most tyre manufacturers also recommend you INCREASE the tyre pressure in cold tempertures