Snow Driving Technique

[Figman]

Hello everyone:

What is the best way to drive on snow covered streets? I went on an urban expedition with my buddy during this recent snow storm. I was able to keep up with my him but sometimes my TC comes in too many times.

I have an '01 SE7 with ACE and SLS; he has an '04 SE7 with CDL. We both have the famous HP Wranglers 18" He tells me that going uphill he activates the CDL and the TC never comes on, meanwhile my TC lights comes on and off a lot.

just curious...

Thanks

Figman

If I replace my HPs with Nittos same size; would this help?

[plastic]

Driving in Snow..... what a pleasure in a disco!

Just don't accelerate too fast. Be very easy on the gas, and don't count on your vehicle stopping quickly, always give yourself plenty of stopping room.

It's pretty normal for there to be wheel spin when you're going through deep snow.

[salty]

If you have CDL then I recommend using it in snow and try to make all movements as fluid as possible. Too much TC can cause the system to over heat, if you are running with TC very active I'd be wary of running it more than 10 minutes of continuous activity. Either way make sure you change the Brake fuild every 2 years otherwise it can boil on you in the ABS modulator. This will set you back about $1k if it fails.

[Muddy Oval]

First off- the HP's are the worst tyres, ever. Anything is an improvement. The stock Michelins are a major step up, as would pretty much anything.
Getting a CDL would change things 100%. I drive my 04 on MT's in snow (which is scary at times, MT's in snow suck), but I use my CDL any time I venture off the cleared roads onto snow. I've experimented with and without CDL and can tell you without a doubt, it absolutely transforms the Disco on snow into a very controllable, tossable and predictable machine. Check to see if your DII has the capability to add the CDL... it'll do more for you than changing tyres will.

[Disco Mike]

Figman,
Don't worry about the TC coming on too often, it is just doing what it is designed to do. Yes CDL will slow the TC usuage down quite a bit. There is a very slight chance, depending on your trucks build date, that you may have the CDL type t/case and if so you could add one of the conversion kits so you to could have CDL function.
I do agree with Steve, too much use can cause the brake fluid to burn.
Drive conseritively and enjoy your Disco in the snow.
Mike

[02disco2]

I have never found the D2 to be 'that' nimble in the snow. It does trek though it very easily (much easier once you dump the HP's) but I have found it to be very prone to understeer as it seems to track straight ahead when you are trying to turn. A quick blip of the e-brake and you can toss the rear end out very easily. Now, this vehicle seems to be very finicky with regards to the infamous e-brake and will whip all the way around, without any control if you are not careful. I am a little biased though, I am used to ripping through the snow in an Audi with quattro and Nokian's, they are a little easier to use controlled power slides with with.

[Geobloke]

Ah snow driving! An absolute pleasure in Eva! You have to really yank the steering and stamp on the brakes to get her to do anything exciting in deepish snow! An even when you do she is soooo easy to control. Gaud I love drifting sideways, such good fun on an empty road, feeling when to catch the rear end as it comes round, goosing the throttle a little to keep the drift going! damn I love my LR!!!

Ice? now thats a whole nother ball game! Ice is nasty to drive on esspecially if it has been polished up by 2wd nerds before you!!

CDL is a definate in any icy conditions even if you have electrickery on your vehicle! Every little bit of traction matters!

It is my opinion that very few people would cope well if they found themselves drifting, sliding, ect in icy conditions! It is certainly true in the UK, gaud the whole country grinds to a halt with the slightest dusting of snow! People here just have no idea! Have seen people sitting there in their 2wd cars with both front wheels spinning so hard that steam is coming out of the wheel arches, Idjits!

One of the best birthday presents I have ever had was when my mum (bless her) paid for me to undertake a "skid pan" course, hours of emmense fun learning to control an out of control vehicle. Have never had sooooo much fun. It has also saved my life too, got all out of shape in me mums 4L wrangler, damn those things are twitchy! Great fun tho when you know what is happening! Yes yes I know there is a J-J-J-Jeep in my family but she also has a D110 TD5 Crewcab too, which more than cancels that out!!

Anyway, remember to leave plenty of braking space, easy on the gas and clutch pedal (if you have one), CDL is good in the ice and snow, CDL and TC is better, easy on the steering, let your tyres down slightly (it is the edges of the tyres that grip in the snow and ice not the central tread) and if you have snow chains then fit them!

Oh and remember everyone else is driving an inferior vehicle so watch out for them!