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Post by Humph on Dec 7, 2017 18:54:07 GMT
Allegedly, we could get a bit of snow here in the next day or three. Not all that common here on the Cheshire plain, but was a very regular scenario when we lived 1200' above sea level in Scotland. Doesn't bother me or 'er indoors, we're quite used to it, or we were anyway.
But my son is a new driver, he passed his test earlier this year. He's sensible enough behind the wheel, well, as sensible as any 17 year old I suppose. I know I'm being over-protective, but I'm just a bit worried about him driving in snow for the first time. Everyone has to have a first time of course, but, well, anyone who is a parent knows what I mean.
I'm not going to stop him having a go ( if it snows at all of course ) but I'm thinking I might take him to a supermarket car park at night to get a feel for low grip driving.
Other than that, I suppose I'll just have to remind him to be careful. Which of course as a 17 year old boy he's going to take loads of notice of isn't he?
😕
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Post by Hofmeister on Dec 7, 2017 19:01:21 GMT
Allegedly, we could get a bit of snow here in the next day or three. Not all that common here on the Cheshire plain, but was a very regular scenario when we lived 1200' above sea level in Scotland. Doesn't bother me or 'er indoors, we're quite used to it, or we were anyway. But my son is a new driver, he passed his test earlier this year. He's sensible enough behind the wheel, well, as sensible as any 17 year old I suppose. I know I'm being over-protective, but I'm just a bit worried about him driving in snow for the first time. Everyone has to have a first time of course, but, well, anyone who is a parent knows what I mean. I'm not going to stop him having a go ( if it snows at all of course ) but I'm thinking I might take him to a supermarket car park at night to get a feel for low grip driving. Other than that, I suppose I'll just have to remind him to be careful. Which of course as a 17 year old boy he's going to take loads of notice of isn't he? 😕 Think back to your yoof. Did anyone give you special winter/snow driving instruction? What did you do when it snowed. Headed off to the nearest car park to become the next Roger Clarke / Hannu Mikola I'll wager. |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 7, 2017 19:16:14 GMT
Take him out, give him a few hints and tips then leave him to it.
My very first driving lesson was on 2 inch thick ice covered with snow on untreated roads. My dad took me out on my 17th birthday, my mother did her nut. Dad's answer was he's got to learn to drive on it sometime might as well be today.
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Post by Humph on Dec 7, 2017 19:19:44 GMT
I did indeed Noggers, and what's more got pulled by the police for doing it. At first I thought I was in deep doo doo, but much to my surprise and delight, the older Sergeant in the jam sandwich gave me and my mate a lecture and then got in the passenger seat of my Mk 1 Escort. He then said, "right son, let's show you how to do this properly" and proceeded to teach me how to throw the car about on snow. It was about 1.00 in the morning and I can only assume he was bored !
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Post by Humph on Dec 7, 2017 19:28:55 GMT
Take him out, give him a few hints and tips then leave him to it. My very first driving lesson was on 2 inch thick ice covered with snow on untreated roads. My dad took me out on my 17th birthday, my mother did her nut. Dad's answer was he's got to learn to drive on it sometime might as well be today. I think probably the best tip my dad gave me for winter driving was to imagine a glass of wine balanced on the bonnet. He said that I could now drive how I liked but I mustn't spill the wine. Kinda works if you think about it. |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 7, 2017 19:33:40 GMT
Don't forget if you don't have any winter tyres put some winter air in the tyres you've got 😁
The glass of wine tip is a good one for generally smooth driving should you ever see the Queen thumbing a lift for example.
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Post by tyrednexited on Dec 7, 2017 20:13:17 GMT
You can over-egg it, but nothing wrong, IMO, in having a quick run to give him experience of stopping safely, and starting from scratch on an iffy surface.
Probably only worthwhile on snow with underlying ice (and you probably don't have too many hills around you).
I'm pretty well practised at winter driving - commuting had a few challenges, but I only failed to get to work twice in over twenty years of the worst route, once when the Land Rover on front of me gave up and turned back (the, main, road was then shut for three days), the second when I hit the back of an unmoving queue, which the bus-driver coming the other way told me stretched all the 11 miles into my workplace (I turned around and resorted to WFH).
You can still make some interesting discoveries though. I went to pick my daughter up from Leeds one Christmas, and had to abandon my (then) Mondeo well away from her house, as it proved virtually undriveable in medium snow. Wouldn't even stay in a straight line on level ground.........and then, setting off back I turned the ESP off.....perfick!
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Post by Deleted on Dec 7, 2017 21:25:54 GMT
The only car I had to abandon my commute from Sheffield to Leeds in was a SAAB 900. Gearbox in winter mode Vs engine management system cutting power every time the wheels slipped. Override the Traction Control and put the gearbox back into normal mode got me moving again.
That car was, surprisingly, hard work in snow.
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Post by Humph on Dec 7, 2017 22:09:07 GMT
Right maybe sorted ! Just been to my leisure club for a swim, and had a chance chat with a pal. He has a small local industrial estate and also happens to be a car nut. He said if it has snowed on Sunday morning, to come over with lad and car, and he'll open up the gates and let him have a play on the private roads on the industrial estate before they are gritted for Monday. He also has some RWD off road buggies with Civic type R engines in one of his units too. So maybe the grown ups can have a bit of fun as well... Here's one of them... 😈  |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 8, 2017 8:29:17 GMT
Right maybe sorted ! Just been to my leisure club for a swim, and had a chance chat with a pal. He has a small local industrial estate and also happens to be a car nut. In your usual understated way this small local industrial estate probably went locally by the name Ringway aerodrome too. Imagine having that to play on in the snow. Cool friends to have and fun toys. |
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Post by tyrednexited on Dec 8, 2017 8:37:51 GMT
In your usual understated way this small local industrial estate probably went locally by the name Ringway aerodrome too. Imagine having that to play on in the snow. ....learning to drift a snowplough...........? |
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WDB
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Post by WDB on Dec 8, 2017 8:50:42 GMT
...or, more usefully, to plough a snowdrift?
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Post by Hofmeister on Dec 8, 2017 8:52:47 GMT
A Mk1 Escort was a fine fine car to learn your snow skills in. Had the pleasure of many hours in one at the Phil Price rally school.
As it happens, I have the dog show final tomorrow in the midlands. Heading up for an overnight stop this afternoon. If possible I may get the chance to see what 10 square metres (£5.5k, 35hp, 176kilos a square metre) goes like in a snow covered car park.
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Post by tyrednexited on Dec 8, 2017 8:57:31 GMT
...careful, snow tends to hide the kerbs.......
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WDB
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Post by WDB on Dec 8, 2017 8:59:30 GMT
If possible I may get the chance to see what 10 square metres (£5.5k, 35hp, 176kilos a square metre) goes like in a snow covered car park. Eh? Woo! Snowing here now. |
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