Annoying feature on some modern cars, mine included - power folding door mirrors that you cannot override. You can either have your mirrors frozen in the folded position every morning, or leave your car unlocked overnight.
Depends on the car you have. Especially on modern cars, this might not be possible. I can't on my small car. The only option is putting them in service mode* up on the windscreen, but you still can't get them off the screen without putting something under the wiper arms. Also, they have a tendency to make small jerks in this mode even when the car is locked. I have a feeling that the car does it when it detects a signal from a compatible remote key. *You can't really change the wipers with them in the ordinary parking position, since they're so low down under the hood/bonnet.
At around 14:00 re lights. I drive on dipped headlights at all times, even on a sunny summer day. No exceptions and I've got into the habit of turning on manually as soon as I've started the car. Excellent reminder about fog light etiquette and to not overdo it.
Depends on the vehicle, doing that on a positive ground Dynamo vehicle would flatten the battery in slow stop start traffic. It's why everyone drove on sidelights in lit built up areas until the mid 70's.
If you are still driving a car with a dynamo in the snow in 2025 ,lights are the least of your worries Are you still driving on crossply tyres? Don’t leave your starting handle at home, remember your Ovaltine.
When I passed my test in 2003 my first car was a Triumph Dolomite Sprint. We had quite a bit of snow so I didn't fancy driving. My dad sent me out to learn, as his dad did to him years before, (in an empty car park) it helped my confidence a lot.
With a length of rope attached to them so one does not have to stop to recover them until on ground that has traction, tie them to the rear of the car. Hessian backed carpet works best as has two rough sides. Modern tyre chains are made of rubber so lighter when fitting and don't cut into the tyres if have to be run on a hard surface, handy in Rural areas that the Council leave to Farmers to keep clear and pay them to do so but the livestock comes first so may be afternoon before they get around to it, they would normally use the yard scraper/brush to clear slurry/Cow Pats/mud off the road anyway, a legal requirement nowadays.
That go out when it's been snowing is great advice. Back in the winter of 2000. My driving instructor made me have a lesson just after a night of heavy snow. Mainly focusing on ungritted roads on housing estates. I did all the maneuvers, 3 point turn. Reversing around a corner, even an emergency stop. Just so I would know how to handle a car in the future. After over twenty years it's still that lesson that replays in my head whenever I have to drive in snow or ice.
Additionally, it's also good to have a pair of Wellington boots and a rain jacket in the boot plus high visibility vest or strap. Make sure you have at least 3mm depth thread on tyres. Never let tank go below half full in case you get stuck on a jam on motorway in snow and you need keep engine on to keep warm.
Re at around 1:05, I love the "Quickclear" heated windscreen on my 2009 Ford Focus Titanium, though I will also "help it along" by also scraping the (by now) soft ice off. And I make sure all my windows and lights are completely clear before driving away. It also helps to put a cover over the windscreen overnight. Mine also covers the side mirrors.
I’d gone from two company berlingos in the last four years to a new transit custom in the beginning of December. The quick clear windscreen is absolutely fantastic, especially at 4’11 when I can’t reach the windscreen to scrape it!
Good advice. Most people try to drive normally in snow, and wonder why they have problems. The key is as you said - take it gently, leave plenty of space between you and the car in front, avoid sudden braking, acceleration, steering, and sharp inputs (BASS is the acronym used by police advanced drivers and the IAM).
Best winter driving advice I was given: Imagine you have a raw egg between your feet and the pedals. If you press to much too quickly the egg will break but if you gradually apply the pressure it won't break but you can still put quite a bit of pressure on.
Good tips although they might seem a bit "obvious" for me...Living in Finland. At the moment, in Tampere, We have -17`C and snowy roads. Usually the winter lasts between 4-5 months...even 6 if it`s harsh......First thing You must have is, GOOD winter tires. Preferably studded( the green party is saying One must have friction tires but to me they are Rubbish!)...I have a Saab 9-5 with studded Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9 tires and You just CAN NOT believe how fast you can drive with these in snowy/icy conditions!! It is literally like driving in summer. The grip is just immense!....The second thing is to keep Your vehicle fully serviced. You MUST use 50/50 water/antifreeze to avoid engine damage. Use only good quality oil. It helps for the cold starts. And when I say cold starts, I really do mean COLD! My winter cottage is situated in Kittilä and last year at this time, I had to start the Saab in -35-40`C !! This means at least a couple of hours pre-heating Your engine and then cranking and hoping for the best! The oil is like pudding in these temperatures when left standing, for let`s say 24 hours.....Extreme conditions of course but an everyday-life for the people in Lapland. And this brings us to the third thing. A good battery. You must have a new/newish battery with good capacity to be able to keep starting "good" regularly...Preferably a battery charger as well.....When You get your car started, it is advisable to keep it running for several minutes before driving. This is to keep to fluids circulating in the engine and the gearbox. If You have a "Webasto" style petrol/diesel pre-heater, it is good to turn this on now....To my opinion, not before, because they drain the battery....When the car is running, the webasto fill fire up and heat the engine/cabin much more secure than just relying on the battery....This goes for the extreme conditions...For mild conditions, pre-heat with webasto but make sure you don`t drive only short distances because You drain the battery in a matter of months......Fourth thing...Obviously...One must scrape the ice from the windscreen and side-screens...Turn on the heated sidemirror-glasses and seats...Fifth thing. Good driving lights. You must have good low/main-beam bulbs. Xenon or otherwise. In Finland, more in the northern parts but all over, one can see cars with auxiliary driving lights(usually main beam) which help to get those extra meters to spot the animals that are all over our roads! Rabbits/Foxes/Deers/Reindeers/Elks....Elks are the most Dangerous. They usually end up on Your windscreen because they have tall feet and the striking mass is high up. The end result of an elk crash is very ugly.............Sixth thing. In winter, You must ALWAYS plan ahead! The car will NOT stop as quickly as summer conditions. You must drive with confidence and a "firm" hand....Do not be afraid of the conditions but respect them. With miles, You get used to it. To a foreigner, it may seem absurd how fast a, for example, a bus driver can drive in snow and ice but he/she is used to it and it is a second nature! PS: If You come to Finland, in the middle of winter, with a Diesel car, always ALWAYS remember to fill up with the "Heaviest" fuel. I mean Arctic-diesel which can stand up to -40`C without freezing in to the pipes and filter!!! Some petrol stations keep selling the "summer" stuff all year along and to fill up with this and going far north is a big mistake... Keep these in mind and welcome to the NORTH!! The scenery is sometimes stunning! And I just have to say. When in the North of Finland, never EVER leave, even for a short journey from home, with only a T-shirt and slippers!!! If You face a long journey, and Your car stalls and will not fire up, You may be tens of miles away from the nearest town and the tow-truck can take HOURS to arrive....You will freeze without proper winter jackets/trousers/shoes!
Greetings from Norway! Four things: 1: Tires winter tires make a massive difference. It really is night and day. 2: Adjust you speed to the conditions. 3: Test grip by dabbing the brakes once in a while, this will help you get a feel for your actual level of grip. 4: Don't stand on the brakes if you start sliding backwards on a hill, try to brake gently so the wheels can turn and try to turn the car around.
Good video. Really obvious for experienced drivers but they are the people who will get home when the weather closes in. Many years ago, we had snow during the night. Our car was parked on the street which had a slight incline. The snow ploughs had been out during the night and had left the road almost clear but they had created a six inch wall of snow that meant we had to dig a channel to get out into the road. Having a spade in the boot really helped. Loved the flask with hot water idea. Making the tea or coffee when needed instead of having to drink "flasky" tea. 🙂
Watching this on Sunday morning before going out to my Discovery to remove the drivers door card in order to reconnect the window winder mechanism to the glass after hitting the down button yesterday with a frozen window 🙄 so great advice Matt, just 1 day too late 😂
Decent tips Matt! Can't remember when I drove in the snow for the last time. Always have winter tires, but it's pretty useless where I live. Hardly ever snows here, which is a shame. Love to drive in the snow with the quattro. My 2 cents: get those plastic things that keep the wipers off the windscreen, so they don't freeze to the window. And have decent wipers and keep the screen wash topped up.
With to many years as a HGV driver a good thing to do with a frosty windows is a jug of room temperature water NOT HOT you clear your windows quickly and warm it up slightly above freezing, which is good for inside and outside. As for driving, look further ahead and don’t make sudden moves like Breaking accelerating try to avoid stopping if possible crawl up to the junction, if you have to stop pull away slowly. And carry a bottle of water with a flip up top, so if your screen bottle freezes, you can squirt it from out of your window. But best of all on a frosty morning, go back to bed😂
Thank you! I am always at a loss as to how many people don’t prepare and can’t drive in winter conditions. Which up here in the north of Scotland we get once a year.
sensible / useful reminders Matt .. i live near Edinburgh & there has been a few inches of snow since new years day .. funniest thing i saw was some young lady who had clearly only used her wipers to clear the windscreen , came into Supermarket car park .. braked , all the snow on the roof slid onto the windscreen , then she drove into the wall
I always carry a jump start pack in the boot. Also one tip about batteries which I feel as a mechanic in Australia that you should do. Is when you replace your battery always buy one with a high CCA. Never ever buy the cheapest battery that’s a big no no! I always spend a few extra £ & buy one with a bit more power. I have noticed in many of your cars you have tiny batteries with 550CCA. Which I feel is way too small. For instance my daily driver is a Rover 75 V6 in burgundy metallic pre project drive. It has 760CCA battery.
You've mentioned a few mistakes drivers make with lights. Another is when the sun is bright but low, KEEP YOUR HEADLIGHTS ON. If you're driving with the sun behind you, you can see fine, but drivers coming the other way can be dazzled by it, so headlights really help.
They work good on snow/ice but need take em off once you go from the snow back to clear tarmac or they shred themselves very quick as I learned the hard way
After watching several YT tyre reviews, I fitted Crossclimate Plus tyres all round about 2 years ago. They outperform some dedicated winter tyres. I check the tyre pressures regularly with my own gauge and carry a foot pump in the boot as well as a digital tyre depth gauge. I replace my tyres when around 3mm and not the minimum legal 1.6 mm
Yeah, modern all-seasons are incredible. I run Contis ASC2 on my Polo and we've just returned from an Alpine holiday where they handled lots of snow (both loose and packed, even icy in parts) with no problems whatsoever. I'm never going back to summers & winters, I never drove enough to justify the cost (I'd usually have to change them because of age instead of mileage)
Have always since started driving been out in snow a rally driver told me as you say it repairs you for what it's like great advice matt all the best donny
You are so right about the fog lights! I was flashing my front fogs at some idiot in front of me dazzling me with his fog lights in a light mist. He decided to stop in the middle of the road on a national speed limit. He then continued at 60mph! If it’s foggy enough to need your fog lights on then you shouldn’t be driving at 60mph! If you can drive at 60, you don’t need your fog lights!
As someone that does over 60,000 miles a year with his job in bad weather always try to carry some cat litter. Can’t tell you how many times this has saved me under the wheels a bit of attraction get you out of some tricky situations.
I've got wellies in the car with newspaper in the soles, helps isolate your feet from the cold ground. Keep a heavy coat, gloves, scarf and hat on the back seat, you don't want to be rummaging in the boot. Rubber floor mats can help you get unstuck in snow....
You mentioned fog lights, also a lot of people don't use there handbrakes at junctions/traffic lights ,, which once again blinds the poor people who are sat behind !!! ,👍🏴😉
@@furiousdriving I think that's a bit of a Merc thing, where they're kind of imitating the old pedal at the side of the pedal box and release-thing, which used to be in the general area of where the switch is now. Also Mercedes seems to insist on having a non-standard setup for the stalks as well. One can like it or not, but it's not what most other manufacturers do.
Great tips and information, Matt! I'm very happy with my Pirelli all season tyres. Also, I use a spray bottle with window de-icer for the windscreen, it will prevent scratches and release the wipers from the glass without tearing.
Oh, I so agree with the lights. Dumb people who don't understand that their DRLs aren't dipped beams, that they're over-reliant on automatic lights (BTW, why didn't the genius who thought up DRLs make them work for the rear as well as the front? Never understood that). Edit: And all of the advice is much appreciated!!
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Lucky they didn’t forecast the snow to come down on Monday evening/ Tuesday morning, the schools would have text us a week in advance to say there won’t be any school on Tuesday🙄
@@kristoffer3000 I guess it all depends on the type/anount of snow your country gets. For me, with little snow but long cold wet winters, all seasons suit me better. Michelin Cross Climate 2 on my car
I was waiting for your opinions about front fog lights. I have never found them that useful. Dipped headlights have always been more than enough for me even in the fog.
Further to Matt's comments about fog lights. Make sure you turn them off after use, nothing more frustrating than following a car in the rain with rear fogs on. Also check all your lights, make sure they all work. So many cars with 1 headlight out or 1 rear light etc
I am a 50s child and my dad and all the neighbours had spare wheels with studded tyres. Absolutely brilliant. Think the nanny state has made this illegal
Totally agree that with a manual, you'll have that much more control. The automatic "creep" can make it more tricky, especially when needing to slow down or stop.
I’ve been driving for 23 years, so I liked to think I know everything, but this video was great. The thing about fog lights is true, some people have the fog lights on, even though normal lights would be fine. I can’t even remember the last time I used my fog lights (don’t do much motorway driving) and my commute to work is only 2.5 miles, that helps I guess. The more miles you do, the more chance you may need them, but as you said in the video, use them when you’re struggling to see car in front of you. With de-icing, we are lucky to have a driveway and a 6 foot gate that locks, so I start the car, put the heater on full blast, rear window heater/mirrors, and then go inside for 10mins or so. I know it’s not good to leave the car running when cold, but only 10mins max, then it just scrapes off easily in seconds, jump in the car and off I go in a warm car 👍🏻
Great advice Matt..I would like to add a couple of extra points such as making sure your screen washers are topped up with the appropriate sceenwasher fluids and also carry an extra 5 litre container of s sceenwasher fluid in the car or boot if driving in murky freezing weather. Secondly put some old carpets or mats in the car in case you get stuck in the snow and ice and wedge it under the driving wheels so the wheel have a chance of gripping. Lastly start off with a full tank of fuel ⛽️
Back in the mid 90s if you had a co. car it was compulsory to attend local bus depot skid pan training. Amazing how their bus trainers could slide a double decker around. Certainly valuable skills learnt to this day.😊 Might i suggest Kendal Mint Cake or a couple Mars for your emergency food stash, ive got one of each 😊
Biggest tip: Winter tyres, they are not just for snow. They are at their best with temperatures below 7c. 4wd with summer tyres will not help you. My 2wd Skoda Yeti with winter tyres has passed many a 4wd vehicle with summer tyres stranded at the side of the road. Those of you with 4wd and winter tyres have the best of both worlds.
I did wreck the engine on my 1999 Citroën Xsara 1.9 Turbo Diesel in a flood because the air intake was behind the front bumper. My friend did the same with his 1998 Peugeot 406, fantastic design that. I first came across automatic lights and wipers on my Sister's 2002 Renault Clio. I hated them then and I still do. Today's new drivers think that they are so good that they depend on them. Additionally in the 1980s your dashboard was backlit when you turned on your lights so you would know to turn on your lights if your dashboard was dark. Now the display is permanently lit up like a Christmas tree so people continually head off in the dark with no lights on.
Back in the 1970's I had no problem driving on snow and ice. I used to fit snow chains to my wheels. I think they are illegal now because they could damage the road surface.
Fully agree on the all seasons, that's why they are on our daily drivers. They have gotten better the past few decades. Then again if the weather gets really snowy, dedicated winter tyres are still a better bet. Extra tips for snow/ice driving: Brake in a straight line. Trailbraking is a big nono unless your last name is Röhrl.
Def agree, if you’ve never driven in any snow at all…..and you get a bit a light snow covering the ground…..practice in it. The risk in that is low, but you will get experience and get used to how your car behaves in snow/ice….they aren’t all equal. Obviously tyres are a big factor in that. Transmission type…. Linked to: going up hill & changing gear. Avoid if possible doing it if at all possible-when you change gear the drive to the wheels is stopped and re-engaged…that is the problem. And automatic is not necessarily worse… A traditional automatic has very smooth gear transitions……useful. A CVT automatic is seamless….even more useful. Either system with a Winter mode…next best thing after a 4x4. Automated manual (aka VW group DSG, ASG, MultiMode, the now defunct Honda I-Shift, Fiat Dual Logic to name a few) are not so good because the disengage & re-engage the clutch & therefore the power…..and those manual modes on these cars eg 2nd, are gear requests….if you pick up speed, the computer will switch up to 3rd-overriding your selection. Likewise when slowing down…..hence unless these systems have a Winter mode, I would avoid using them in anything more than a slight covering of snow. ….this has been my experience so far of driving various “systems” in snow. Whichever transmission you have, as the snow becomes more than just a white colouring, you need to leave a much bigger stopping distance….on snow & ice, your ABS will not function correctly-applying the brakes normally will result in a skid. Treat the brake pedal like a sponge, drag the brake…just and just on. And with a bigger stopping distance, try avoiding the brakes entirely. Re-gen braking in an EV or hybrid if it has it could be very useful. In a petrol/diesel, use the momentum and gears to do most of the slowing down. In an auto (of any description), choose Winter mode if you have it, or LO, or pick a low gear if you can…and even Sport mode…..why, because it gives a lot more engine braking than Drive (economy). I find that works very well in mine. Also, that grit they put down…..when there’s a lot of it…..it’s like driving on marbles. Not much different to driving on snow/ice. Likewise, if you just plant your foot on the brake pedal normally on grit, you will skid.
Having a plug in battery charger / conditioner at home for those of us that have garages is useful. Also, if you're not using the car for a while, it's good to disconnect the battery.
One Thing I would add to your list, I keep a small covered container of Grit in the boot, which will allow traction in certain situations , where you are parked up, or are on an inclined surface. A neighbor of mine with a drive that is mildly upgrade keeps a pail of Ice Melt Salt in his shed to toss on the drive in bad weather. Cheers.
Great advice Matt, so many do not prepare their cars before driving off in frozen conditions. With a manual car try using engine braking rather than the actual brakes as much as possible.
More bits…. Share the knowledge & experience…. I carry 2 tyre aids for getting out of snow/ice…it’s just rigid plastic with bumps on it that you stick under the drive wheels if stuck. Always carry de-icer Also, if you need to leave your car parked in freezing conditions….when you park, put Pre-icer on the windscreen….this does help a lot, not quite 100%, but sorta 80% successful. Get it online. Lasts for a good few hours. When driving along, keep the heater on warm, ideally with aircon/climate if you have it, ideally in that combination mode up part windscreen/part car ⬆️ + ➡️. Stops the windscreen from misting up while going along + hopefully prevents freeze over….ever had that? Where the windscreen freezes over in about 1 min…..as your going along. That’s scary. Happened to me once. Luckily I knew the road and the next lay-by was just up ahead in a straight line. British climate suffers a lot with moisture in the air…..even when not raining. Whether it’s moisture or rain, that is what leads to the cars freezing up and misting up. When we do get dry air, no rain, but still cold….no freezing or misting. Can’t have ice without water. That mostly moist or wet climate is also why cars from years ago rotted away so quickly. The metal quality was poor with no protection so quickly gave in and rusted.
Never apply handbrake when stationary in cold weather. In snow /ice don’t drive or accept the risks. Gt85 or silicone spray on all door seals stop then icing and sticking
I use a fan heater -- so all you need is a fan heater (one with a cut out by a switch underneath so it will will switch off it it falls over) a good extension lead with a thick electrical cable. 5 minutes and windows are clear and the cab is warm simple with a bit of thought no ice or frost on the windows
At around 3:05 regarding those compact jump starter packs. Yes! I have one in the boot of my car. They are claimed to hold a full charge for month's and I make sure I keep it fully charged. I also keep a set of jump leads in the boot as a backup and I have a spare UASA battery in the garage.
Use my thermos flask made coffee at 6am in the morning was still hot at 4pm use it for work.I drive a van in Essex and take items when it snows ,snow spikes ski troysers blanketand us army PASGT Shovel.
Use the electric window de-misters, if you got a ford front quick clear screen….then use as your lucky! ….and clear your side mirrors. If electrically heated, turn them on - and some cars do this automatically based on a temperature sensor. Use the air con or climate control to de-mist generally and essentially if you don’t have a ford quick clear front screen. Remember you want the side windows clear as well. Obviously you need to use the setting which directs the air toward the windscreen….but also set it to warm….like 20c approx. you don’t want to be blowing ice cold air onto the glass. If you don’t have air con/climate control, still set it to warm. You can use the re-circulation option to help speed up the process from cold, but don’t leave it switched on….it will mist up the glass.
Ah this should be very interesting. Pre- viewing comment here so I haven't watched yet but I'm surprised to see the snowy thumbnail as I know you are also in Kent...and there's only rain here in Canterbury. Anyhow, I'll watch your video now and get the full story.
Not a bad idea to keep a lighter and a couple of small candles. If you're stuck in the car want to keep warm and you're running low on fuel these are very handy. It's also worth having your emergency things in a backpack so you can bring everything with you easily if need be.
Brilliant sensible advice, I learned a lot from this and I've been driving much longer than you. Still laughing at the disolving Alfa though, I know what you mean!
Sometimes I put a 2kw fan heater in the car running the wire through almost shut window putting a knot in the wire so it can't be tugged by being tripped over but heater automatically cuts out if too close to something anyway once the cars warm inside it takes a while for windows to frost over again.
The bit were you talking about fog lights, i was thinking about auto hold brakes and the handbrake switch. At night people just leave their brake lights on & don't press or pull the handbrake switch which will make the brake lights go off which is better for the person behind you.
Never used decicer or scraped once . Bottle of warm water everytime with wipers on slow . Used to annoy my neighbour as he seen as a competition and would scrape frantically as i was driving away 😂 Also , which ever way your back end slides out steer into it . Use gears and engine speed to slow down , don't touch your breaks. Oh and as a Quattro owner , Quattro or Xdrive DOES NOT mean your invincible , they still slide like anything else.
Great video, while we ain't exactly Finland if you do get stuck in the snow in an isolated area you can still end up in a life threatening situation. Driving through isolated areas in the snow? Chuck in some warm clothes and waterproofs, along with decent walking boots in case you have to walk. Steel spade rather than a plastic snow shovel as you might have to break up ice, not just clear snow to get going. Finally, and this is for the manual fans, use engine braking as much as possible (especially down steep inclines), it makes the car much easier to control, avoiding unnecessary skids.
Excellent advice Matt. I have to say though that the number of RUclipsrs who drive one handedly and continually gesticulate with their other hand is pretty worrying. I think that you are probably checking your rear view mirror constantly which is great but some YTers feel the need to look at the camera whilst talking. That's just downright dangerous.
I bought tyre snow socks for the car(s). Maybe OTT but I live on off a hill the amount of cars stuck going up (or down) the hill was unreal. Popped my socks (and feet socks!!) on and drove out on the hill and up it with zero difficulty.
Sat watching the Muppet show that is the A64 out of my window this morning with my breakfast tea. I could be helpful and tow people up the hill with my truck. I could, but I won't. I'm getting mean in my old age.
13:55 The problem is, you can't cure stupidity... I've seen people driving with their rear fog light on simply because it's cold and icy without a whisp of fog in sight. 😒
In the morning if very frosty start the car and leave on full heat and set to demist with full fan and with the recirculate button in. Then go back and have your cup of breakfast coffee and another slice of toast. Should be very little prep to do when you come out again. Proper washer fluid with high non freeze content please.
Fond remembrance of when Television would regularly have useful factual programming with information like this. ❄️👍
At 1:20, a Canadian tip: If you are going to park overnight in freezing temperatures, pull your wipers off the windscreen. 🇨🇦
Yep, I’ve learned that to my cost- especially as they were on Auto! 😮
Annoying feature on some modern cars, mine included - power folding door mirrors that you cannot override. You can either have your mirrors frozen in the folded position every morning, or leave your car unlocked overnight.
Depends on the car you have. Especially on modern cars, this might not be possible. I can't on my small car. The only option is putting them in service mode* up on the windscreen, but you still can't get them off the screen without putting something under the wiper arms. Also, they have a tendency to make small jerks in this mode even when the car is locked. I have a feeling that the car does it when it detects a signal from a compatible remote key.
*You can't really change the wipers with them in the ordinary parking position, since they're so low down under the hood/bonnet.
At around 14:00 re lights. I drive on dipped headlights at all times, even on a sunny summer day. No exceptions and I've got into the habit of turning on manually as soon as I've started the car.
Excellent reminder about fog light etiquette and to not overdo it.
I’m 60 now, but have always driven with dipped headlights on since I was 17. Just as important on a bright sunny day as it is on a dull day.
@@ibs5080 I'm a cyclist and I'm incredibly grateful for everyone who does so. Modern DRLs are also appreciated
I look at other cars on the road. If they are far more visible with the headlights on well turn them on...like you that tends to be all the time.
Depends on the vehicle, doing that on a positive ground Dynamo vehicle would flatten the battery in slow stop start traffic. It's why everyone drove on sidelights in lit built up areas until the mid 70's.
If you are still driving a car with a dynamo in the snow in 2025 ,lights are the least of your worries Are you still driving on crossply tyres?
Don’t leave your starting handle at home, remember your Ovaltine.
When I passed my test in 2003 my first car was a Triumph Dolomite Sprint. We had quite a bit of snow so I didn't fancy driving. My dad sent me out to learn, as his dad did to him years before, (in an empty car park) it helped my confidence a lot.
Lovely car.
Another item I keep in the car is off cuts of carpets, you can put it under the wheels when stuck to gain traction
With a length of rope attached to them so one does not have to stop to recover them until on ground that has traction, tie them to the rear of the car. Hessian backed carpet works best as has two rough sides. Modern tyre chains are made of rubber so lighter when fitting and don't cut into the tyres if have to be run on a hard surface, handy in Rural areas that the Council leave to Farmers to keep clear and pay them to do so but the livestock comes first so may be afternoon before they get around to it, they would normally use the yard scraper/brush to clear slurry/Cow Pats/mud off the road anyway, a legal requirement nowadays.
At 22:35 re driving through flood water. Ah yes, I've seen many of those Rufford Ford videos and I'm absolutely staggered.
That go out when it's been snowing is great advice. Back in the winter of 2000. My driving instructor made me have a lesson just after a night of heavy snow. Mainly focusing on ungritted roads on housing estates. I did all the maneuvers, 3 point turn. Reversing around a corner, even an emergency stop. Just so I would know how to handle a car in the future. After over twenty years it's still that lesson that replays in my head whenever I have to drive in snow or ice.
Additionally, it's also good to have a pair of Wellington boots and a rain jacket in the boot plus high visibility vest or strap. Make sure you have at least 3mm depth thread on tyres. Never let tank go below half full in case you get stuck on a jam on motorway in snow and you need keep engine on to keep warm.
Re at around 1:05, I love the "Quickclear" heated windscreen on my 2009 Ford Focus Titanium, though I will also "help it along" by also scraping the (by now) soft ice off. And I make sure all my windows and lights are completely clear before driving away. It also helps to put a cover over the windscreen overnight. Mine also covers the side mirrors.
@@ibs5080 yeah I miss that feature from our old Focus- cannot understand why more manufacturers don’t do it
I’d gone from two company berlingos in the last four years to a new transit custom in the beginning of December. The quick clear windscreen is absolutely fantastic, especially at 4’11 when I can’t reach the windscreen to scrape it!
Pulling sunvisors down on cars without heated windscreens helps accelerate defrosting.
Good advice. Most people try to drive normally in snow, and wonder why they have problems. The key is as you said - take it gently, leave plenty of space between you and the car in front, avoid sudden braking, acceleration, steering, and sharp inputs (BASS is the acronym used by police advanced drivers and the IAM).
Best winter driving advice I was given:
Imagine you have a raw egg between your feet and the pedals. If you press to much too quickly the egg will break but if you gradually apply the pressure it won't break but you can still put quite a bit of pressure on.
LOVED the digestive tip, Matt. I laughed so hard my wife gave me into trouble, hahaha.
Good tips although they might seem a bit "obvious" for me...Living in Finland. At the moment, in Tampere, We have -17`C and snowy roads. Usually the winter lasts between 4-5 months...even 6 if it`s harsh......First thing You must have is, GOOD winter tires. Preferably studded( the green party is saying One must have friction tires but to me they are Rubbish!)...I have a Saab 9-5 with studded Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9 tires and You just CAN NOT believe how fast you can drive with these in snowy/icy conditions!! It is literally like driving in summer. The grip is just immense!....The second thing is to keep Your vehicle fully serviced. You MUST use 50/50 water/antifreeze to avoid engine damage. Use only good quality oil. It helps for the cold starts. And when I say cold starts, I really do mean COLD! My winter cottage is situated in Kittilä and last year at this time, I had to start the Saab in -35-40`C !! This means at least a couple of hours pre-heating Your engine and then cranking and hoping for the best! The oil is like pudding in these temperatures when left standing, for let`s say 24 hours.....Extreme conditions of course but an everyday-life for the people in Lapland. And this brings us to the third thing. A good battery. You must have a new/newish battery with good capacity to be able to keep starting "good" regularly...Preferably a battery charger as well.....When You get your car started, it is advisable to keep it running for several minutes before driving. This is to keep to fluids circulating in the engine and the gearbox. If You have a "Webasto" style petrol/diesel pre-heater, it is good to turn this on now....To my opinion, not before, because they drain the battery....When the car is running, the webasto fill fire up and heat the engine/cabin much more secure than just relying on the battery....This goes for the extreme conditions...For mild conditions, pre-heat with webasto but make sure you don`t drive only short distances because You drain the battery in a matter of months......Fourth thing...Obviously...One must scrape the ice from the windscreen and side-screens...Turn on the heated sidemirror-glasses and seats...Fifth thing. Good driving lights. You must have good low/main-beam bulbs. Xenon or otherwise. In Finland, more in the northern parts but all over, one can see cars with auxiliary driving lights(usually main beam) which help to get those extra meters to spot the animals that are all over our roads! Rabbits/Foxes/Deers/Reindeers/Elks....Elks are the most Dangerous. They usually end up on Your windscreen because they have tall feet and the striking mass is high up. The end result of an elk crash is very ugly.............Sixth thing. In winter, You must ALWAYS plan ahead! The car will NOT stop as quickly as summer conditions. You must drive with confidence and a "firm" hand....Do not be afraid of the conditions but respect them. With miles, You get used to it. To a foreigner, it may seem absurd how fast a, for example, a bus driver can drive in snow and ice but he/she is used to it and it is a second nature!
PS: If You come to Finland, in the middle of winter, with a Diesel car, always ALWAYS remember to fill up with the "Heaviest" fuel. I mean Arctic-diesel which can stand up to -40`C without freezing in to the pipes and filter!!! Some petrol stations keep selling the "summer" stuff all year along and to fill up with this and going far north is a big mistake...
Keep these in mind and welcome to the NORTH!! The scenery is sometimes stunning!
And I just have to say. When in the North of Finland, never EVER leave, even for a short journey from home, with only a T-shirt and slippers!!! If You face a long journey, and Your car stalls and will not fire up, You may be tens of miles away from the nearest town and the tow-truck can take HOURS to arrive....You will freeze without proper winter jackets/trousers/shoes!
I visited Lapland last year. I've never experienced cold like it! -27c at one point in Levi. Beautiful place though. Can't wait to go back.
Greetings from Norway! Four things:
1: Tires winter tires make a massive difference. It really is night and day.
2: Adjust you speed to the conditions.
3: Test grip by dabbing the brakes once in a while, this will help you get a feel for your actual level of grip.
4: Don't stand on the brakes if you start sliding backwards on a hill, try to brake gently so the wheels can turn and try to turn the car around.
tyres
Skinny jump leads are meant for motorcycles !
Goodyear Vector All-Season tyres on my Brava ! Huge confidence in wet / cold conditions !
My rule of thumb with snow and ice is - drive like you have no brakes
Good video. Really obvious for experienced drivers but they are the people who will get home when the weather closes in. Many years ago, we had snow during the night. Our car was parked on the street which had a slight incline. The snow ploughs had been out during the night and had left the road almost clear but they had created a six inch wall of snow that meant we had to dig a channel to get out into the road. Having a spade in the boot really helped. Loved the flask with hot water idea. Making the tea or coffee when needed instead of having to drink "flasky" tea. 🙂
Watching this on Sunday morning before going out to my Discovery to remove the drivers door card in order to reconnect the window winder mechanism to the glass after hitting the down button yesterday with a frozen window 🙄 so great advice Matt, just 1 day too late 😂
That back foglight thing is global problem .
The correct use of lights is probably the least understood aspect of road driving.
Practical and informative video Matt, some useful tips for new and experienced drivers out there.
Decent tips Matt! Can't remember when I drove in the snow for the last time. Always have winter tires, but it's pretty useless where I live. Hardly ever snows here, which is a shame. Love to drive in the snow with the quattro. My 2 cents: get those plastic things that keep the wipers off the windscreen, so they don't freeze to the window. And have decent wipers and keep the screen wash topped up.
Couldn't agree more Matt, i have an F55 Mini on the Cross Climates myself and have complete confidence in it in the snow.
With to many years as a HGV driver a good thing to do with a frosty windows is a jug of room temperature water NOT HOT you clear your windows quickly and warm it up slightly above freezing, which is good for inside and outside. As for driving, look further ahead and don’t make sudden moves like Breaking accelerating try to avoid stopping if possible crawl up to the junction, if you have to stop pull away slowly. And carry a bottle of water with a flip up top, so if your screen bottle freezes, you can squirt it from out of your window. But best of all on a frosty morning, go back to bed😂
Thank you! I am always at a loss as to how many people don’t prepare and can’t drive in winter conditions. Which up here in the north of Scotland we get once a year.
sensible / useful reminders Matt .. i live near Edinburgh & there has been a few inches of snow since new years day .. funniest thing i saw was some young lady who had clearly only used her wipers to clear the windscreen , came into Supermarket car park .. braked , all the snow on the roof slid onto the windscreen , then she drove into the wall
I always carry a jump start pack in the boot. Also one tip about batteries which I feel as a mechanic in Australia that you should do. Is when you replace your battery always buy one with a high CCA. Never ever buy the cheapest battery that’s a big no no! I always spend a few extra £ & buy one with a bit more power.
I have noticed in many of your cars you have tiny batteries with 550CCA. Which I feel is way too small. For instance my daily driver is a Rover 75 V6 in burgundy metallic pre project drive. It has 760CCA battery.
What a great video Matt a lot of drivers certainly need the advice you have given so thank you best regards Andy Allen.
Holts Tyreweld for small puncture repairs is an idea nobody wants to particularly hang about in the cold changing a wheel.
Yes regarding the silica gel pads. Excellent advice there Matt.
You've mentioned a few mistakes drivers make with lights. Another is when the sun is bright but low, KEEP YOUR HEADLIGHTS ON. If you're driving with the sun behind you, you can see fine, but drivers coming the other way can be dazzled by it, so headlights really help.
Keep some snow socks in the boot too. I was very sceptical of these until I used them. Astounding grip!
They work good on snow/ice but need take em off once you go from the snow back to clear tarmac or they shred themselves very quick as I learned the hard way
@rogerbyrne9040 Yes! They do don't they! But they'll get you going if you're stuck every time.
After watching several YT tyre reviews, I fitted Crossclimate Plus tyres all round about 2 years ago. They outperform some dedicated winter tyres. I check the tyre pressures regularly with my own gauge and carry a foot pump in the boot as well as a digital tyre depth gauge. I replace my tyres when around 3mm and not the minimum legal 1.6 mm
Yeah, modern all-seasons are incredible. I run Contis ASC2 on my Polo and we've just returned from an Alpine holiday where they handled lots of snow (both loose and packed, even icy in parts) with no problems whatsoever. I'm never going back to summers & winters, I never drove enough to justify the cost (I'd usually have to change them because of age instead of mileage)
The tyres should work well down to 1.6mm. Switching them at 3mm seems like throwing money away.
Have always since started driving been out in snow a rally driver told me as you say it repairs you for what it's like great advice matt all the best donny
You are so right about the fog lights! I was flashing my front fogs at some idiot in front of me dazzling me with his fog lights in a light mist. He decided to stop in the middle of the road on a national speed limit. He then continued at 60mph! If it’s foggy enough to need your fog lights on then you shouldn’t be driving at 60mph! If you can drive at 60, you don’t need your fog lights!
As someone that does over 60,000 miles a year with his job in bad weather always try to carry some cat litter. Can’t tell you how many times this has saved me
under the wheels a bit of attraction get you out of some tricky situations.
I've got wellies in the car with newspaper in the soles, helps isolate your feet from the cold ground. Keep a heavy coat, gloves, scarf and hat on the back seat, you don't want to be rummaging in the boot. Rubber floor mats can help you get unstuck in snow....
You mentioned fog lights, also a lot of people don't use there handbrakes at junctions/traffic lights ,, which once again blinds the poor people who are sat behind !!! ,👍🏴😉
Cars are designed to make them hard to find now. Mine is somewhere under the dash and the switch seems to operate the opposite direction every time!
@@furiousdriving I think that's a bit of a Merc thing, where they're kind of imitating the old pedal at the side of the pedal box and release-thing, which used to be in the general area of where the switch is now. Also Mercedes seems to insist on having a non-standard setup for the stalks as well. One can like it or not, but it's not what most other manufacturers do.
Most cars these days are automatic so people just leave them in D and sit on the brakes at junctions.
Great tips and information, Matt! I'm very happy with my Pirelli all season tyres.
Also, I use a spray bottle with window de-icer for the windscreen, it will prevent scratches and release the wipers from the glass without tearing.
Make sure you have a long bar ratchet or wheel brace extension bar for removing wheel nuts.
Weather forecasts are quite reliable nowadays so you can organise some tasks to good weather times and days.
Oh, I so agree with the lights. Dumb people who don't understand that their DRLs aren't dipped beams, that they're over-reliant on automatic lights (BTW, why didn't the genius who thought up DRLs make them work for the rear as well as the front? Never understood that).
Edit: And all of the advice is much appreciated!!
Newspaper on windscreens held on by wipers used to be commonly seen if expecting frost.
I love the ACmount jump pack, It's look very useful for my car. Where can I get 10% off?
Thank you for your interest in our W160 Jump Starter! To use the code W160furious, just enter it at checkout to apply the discount. If there’s any issue, please double-check the code or ensure it’s still valid.
Quick - panic buy toilet paper and pasta. It's the end of the wor..... oh it's mostly thawed already.
Lucky they didn’t forecast the snow to come down on Monday evening/ Tuesday morning, the schools would have text us a week in advance to say there won’t be any school on Tuesday🙄
I’m a massive advocate for all season tyres. It’s crazy the cut off performance temperature for summer tyres is just 7C!
You should try proper snow tires, they're far better than no-season tires.
In the '90s maybe, but modern all-seasons are almost equal to snow tyres, as has been proven time and time again by TyreReviews
@lptomtom except he's proven they're not nearly equal... They can't hope to compete with proper snow tires, no matter your feelings on the topic
@@kristoffer3000 I guess it all depends on the type/anount of snow your country gets.
For me, with little snow but long cold wet winters, all seasons suit me better. Michelin Cross Climate 2 on my car
@@redspecial2000 Fair enough
I was waiting for your opinions about front fog lights. I have never found them that useful. Dipped headlights have always been more than enough for me even in the fog.
Further to Matt's comments about fog lights. Make sure you turn them off after use, nothing more frustrating than following a car in the rain with rear fogs on. Also check all your lights, make sure they all work. So many cars with 1 headlight out or 1 rear light etc
Silicone spray on rubber door and window seals helps.
I am a 50s child and my dad and all the neighbours had spare wheels with studded tyres. Absolutely brilliant. Think the nanny state has made this illegal
Totally agree that with a manual, you'll have that much more control. The automatic "creep" can make it more tricky, especially when needing to slow down or stop.
I’ve been driving for 23 years, so I liked to think I know everything, but this video was great.
The thing about fog lights is true, some people have the fog lights on, even though normal lights would be fine. I can’t even remember the last time I used my fog lights (don’t do much motorway driving) and my commute to work is only 2.5 miles, that helps I guess. The more miles you do, the more chance you may need them, but as you said in the video, use them when you’re struggling to see car in front of you.
With de-icing, we are lucky to have a driveway and a 6 foot gate that locks, so I start the car, put the heater on full blast, rear window heater/mirrors, and then go inside for 10mins or so. I know it’s not good to leave the car running when cold, but only 10mins max, then it just scrapes off easily in seconds, jump in the car and off I go in a warm car 👍🏻
Great advice Matt..I would like to add a couple of extra points such as making sure your screen washers are topped up with the appropriate sceenwasher fluids and also carry an extra 5 litre container of s sceenwasher fluid in the car or boot if driving in murky freezing weather.
Secondly put some old carpets or mats in the car in case you get stuck in the snow and ice and wedge it under the driving wheels so the wheel have a chance of gripping.
Lastly start off with a full tank of fuel ⛽️
Back in the mid 90s if you had a co. car it was compulsory to attend local bus depot skid pan training. Amazing how their bus trainers could slide a double decker around. Certainly valuable skills learnt to this day.😊
Might i suggest Kendal Mint Cake or a couple Mars for your emergency food stash, ive got one of each 😊
Hiz Viz vest kept in boot is a good idea.
Biggest tip: Winter tyres, they are not just for snow. They are at their best with temperatures below 7c.
4wd with summer tyres will not help you. My 2wd Skoda Yeti with winter tyres has passed many a 4wd vehicle with summer tyres stranded at the side of the road.
Those of you with 4wd and winter tyres have the best of both worlds.
I did wreck the engine on my 1999 Citroën Xsara 1.9 Turbo Diesel in a flood because the air intake was behind the front bumper. My friend did the same with his 1998 Peugeot 406, fantastic design that.
I first came across automatic lights and wipers on my Sister's 2002 Renault Clio. I hated them then and I still do. Today's new drivers think that they are so good that they depend on them.
Additionally in the 1980s your dashboard was backlit when you turned on your lights so you would know to turn on your lights if your dashboard was dark. Now the display is permanently lit up like a Christmas tree so people continually head off in the dark with no lights on.
Love the hide a digestive tip there Matt !
Pull window visors down to accelerate window defrosting efficiency inside.
Back in the 1970's I had no problem driving on snow and ice. I used to fit snow chains to my wheels. I think they are illegal now because they could damage the road surface.
I have winter tyres, they are very good.
Glad i have a jump pack , much easier than jump leads, i do also like having a windscreen cover for overnight frost protection.
Fully agree on the all seasons, that's why they are on our daily drivers. They have gotten better the past few decades.
Then again if the weather gets really snowy, dedicated winter tyres are still a better bet.
Extra tips for snow/ice driving: Brake in a straight line. Trailbraking is a big nono unless your last name is Röhrl.
Def agree, if you’ve never driven in any snow at all…..and you get a bit a light snow covering the ground…..practice in it. The risk in that is low, but you will get experience and get used to how your car behaves in snow/ice….they aren’t all equal.
Obviously tyres are a big factor in that.
Transmission type….
Linked to: going up hill & changing gear.
Avoid if possible doing it if at all possible-when you change gear the drive to the wheels is stopped and re-engaged…that is the problem.
And automatic is not necessarily worse…
A traditional automatic has very smooth gear transitions……useful.
A CVT automatic is seamless….even more useful.
Either system with a Winter mode…next best thing after a 4x4.
Automated manual (aka VW group DSG, ASG, MultiMode, the now defunct Honda I-Shift, Fiat Dual Logic to name a few) are not so good because the disengage & re-engage the clutch & therefore the power…..and those manual modes on these cars eg 2nd, are gear requests….if you pick up speed, the computer will switch up to 3rd-overriding your selection. Likewise when slowing down…..hence unless these systems have a Winter mode, I would avoid using them in anything more than a slight covering of snow.
….this has been my experience so far of driving various “systems” in snow.
Whichever transmission you have, as the snow becomes more than just a white colouring, you need to leave a much bigger stopping distance….on snow & ice, your ABS will not function correctly-applying the brakes normally will result in a skid. Treat the brake pedal like a sponge, drag the brake…just and just on. And with a bigger stopping distance, try avoiding the brakes entirely. Re-gen braking in an EV or hybrid if it has it could be very useful. In a petrol/diesel, use the momentum and gears to do most of the slowing down. In an auto (of any description), choose Winter mode if you have it, or LO, or pick a low gear if you can…and even Sport mode…..why, because it gives a lot more engine braking than Drive (economy). I find that works very well in mine.
Also, that grit they put down…..when there’s a lot of it…..it’s like driving on marbles. Not much different to driving on snow/ice. Likewise, if you just plant your foot on the brake pedal normally on grit, you will skid.
Spare set of thermals is a good idea.
Having a plug in battery charger / conditioner at home for those of us that have garages is useful. Also, if you're not using the car for a while, it's good to disconnect the battery.
One Thing I would add to your list, I keep a small covered container of Grit in the boot, which will allow traction in certain situations , where you are parked up, or are on an inclined surface. A neighbor of mine with a drive that is mildly upgrade keeps a pail of Ice Melt Salt in his shed to toss on the drive in bad weather. Cheers.
Cat Litter can help- if you have some and you’re desperate . fresh litter not the cursed stuff 😂
Great advice Matt, so many do not prepare their cars before driving off in frozen conditions. With a manual car try using engine braking rather than the actual brakes as much as possible.
More bits….
Share the knowledge & experience….
I carry 2 tyre aids for getting out of snow/ice…it’s just rigid plastic with bumps on it that you stick under the drive wheels if stuck.
Always carry de-icer
Also, if you need to leave your car parked in freezing conditions….when you park, put Pre-icer on the windscreen….this does help a lot, not quite 100%, but sorta 80% successful. Get it online. Lasts for a good few hours.
When driving along, keep the heater on warm, ideally with aircon/climate if you have it, ideally in that combination mode up part windscreen/part car ⬆️ + ➡️. Stops the windscreen from misting up while going along + hopefully prevents freeze over….ever had that? Where the windscreen freezes over in about 1 min…..as your going along. That’s scary. Happened to me once. Luckily I knew the road and the next lay-by was just up ahead in a straight line.
British climate suffers a lot with moisture in the air…..even when not raining. Whether it’s moisture or rain, that is what leads to the cars freezing up and misting up. When we do get dry air, no rain, but still cold….no freezing or misting. Can’t have ice without water.
That mostly moist or wet climate is also why cars from years ago rotted away so quickly. The metal quality was poor with no protection so quickly gave in and rusted.
Never apply handbrake when stationary in cold weather. In snow /ice don’t drive or accept the risks. Gt85 or silicone spray on all door seals stop then icing and sticking
I use a fan heater -- so all you need is a fan heater (one with a cut out by a switch underneath so it will will switch off it it falls over) a good extension lead with a thick electrical cable. 5 minutes and windows are clear and the cab is warm
simple with a bit of thought no ice or frost on the windows
At around 3:05 regarding those compact jump starter packs. Yes! I have one in the boot of my car. They are claimed to hold a full charge for month's and I make sure I keep it fully charged. I also keep a set of jump leads in the boot as a backup and I have a spare UASA battery in the garage.
Sage advice 👍
Use my thermos flask made coffee at 6am in the morning was still hot at 4pm use it for work.I drive a van in Essex and take items when it snows ,snow spikes ski troysers blanketand us army PASGT Shovel.
one great idea DE ICER and cover front windscreen
Good time to get a dash cam if you haven't got one !!
Use the electric window de-misters, if you got a ford front quick clear screen….then use as your lucky!
….and clear your side mirrors. If electrically heated, turn them on - and some cars do this automatically based on a temperature sensor.
Use the air con or climate control to de-mist generally and essentially if you don’t have a ford quick clear front screen. Remember you want the side windows clear as well. Obviously you need to use the setting which directs the air toward the windscreen….but also set it to warm….like 20c approx. you don’t want to be blowing ice cold air onto the glass.
If you don’t have air con/climate control, still set it to warm.
You can use the re-circulation option to help speed up the process from cold, but don’t leave it switched on….it will mist up the glass.
Ah this should be very interesting. Pre- viewing comment here so I haven't watched yet but I'm surprised to see the snowy thumbnail as I know you are also in Kent...and there's only rain here in Canterbury. Anyhow, I'll watch your video now and get the full story.
The windscreen washer jets will prob be frozen solid too if the car is left parked for a length of time in freezing conditions.
Not a bad idea to keep a lighter and a couple of small candles. If you're stuck in the car want to keep warm and you're running low on fuel these are very handy. It's also worth having your emergency things in a backpack so you can bring everything with you easily if need be.
I have a tow rope, foldable shovel as well as traction mats and chains.
Brilliant sensible advice, I learned a lot from this and I've been driving much longer than you. Still laughing at the disolving Alfa though, I know what you mean!
Sometimes I put a 2kw fan heater in the car running the wire through almost shut window putting a knot in the wire so it can't be tugged by being tripped over but heater automatically cuts out if too close to something anyway once the cars warm inside it takes a while for windows to frost over again.
Thanks for the air con tip☘️👍
The bit were you talking about fog lights, i was thinking about auto hold brakes and the handbrake switch. At night people just leave their brake lights on & don't press or pull the handbrake switch which will make the brake lights go off which is better for the person behind you.
this is also very true, and cars seem designed to discourage drivers from taking them out of Drive and using the (now hard to find) hand brake
Never used decicer or scraped once . Bottle of warm water everytime with wipers on slow . Used to annoy my neighbour as he seen as a competition and would scrape frantically as i was driving away 😂 Also , which ever way your back end slides out steer into it . Use gears and engine speed to slow down , don't touch your breaks. Oh and as a Quattro owner , Quattro or Xdrive DOES NOT mean your invincible , they still slide like anything else.
Great video, while we ain't exactly Finland if you do get stuck in the snow in an isolated area you can still end up in a life threatening situation.
Driving through isolated areas in the snow? Chuck in some warm clothes and waterproofs, along with decent walking boots in case you have to walk.
Steel spade rather than a plastic snow shovel as you might have to break up ice, not just clear snow to get going.
Finally, and this is for the manual fans, use engine braking as much as possible (especially down steep inclines), it makes the car much easier to control, avoiding unnecessary skids.
Excellent advice Matt. I have to say though that the number of RUclipsrs who drive one handedly and continually gesticulate with their other hand is pretty worrying. I think that you are probably checking your rear view mirror constantly which is great but some YTers feel the need to look at the camera whilst talking. That's just downright dangerous.
Do they make a flask cosy?😃
“I’ve been following you for 5 miles!!” - 😂
Glad it doesn't snow where I live. It's pretty but looks like a massive hassle.
Snow left on the roof can slide forward as you slow, and completely block your view of the road!
I was hoping to see you driving a convertible in the snow... doing The Mess Around.😊
I bought tyre snow socks for the car(s). Maybe OTT but I live on off a hill the amount of cars stuck going up (or down) the hill was unreal. Popped my socks (and feet socks!!) on and drove out on the hill and up it with zero difficulty.
Sat watching the Muppet show that is the A64 out of my window this morning with my breakfast tea. I could be helpful and tow people up the hill with my truck. I could, but I won't.
I'm getting mean in my old age.
How do EVs fare in cold weather?
best thing to do, move somewhere warmer. :)
13:55 The problem is, you can't cure stupidity... I've seen people driving with their rear fog light on simply because it's cold and icy without a whisp of fog in sight. 😒
Drive carefully mate.
In the morning if very frosty start the car and leave on full heat and set to demist with full fan and with the recirculate button in. Then go back and have your cup of breakfast coffee and another slice of toast. Should be very little prep to do when you come out again. Proper washer fluid with high non freeze content please.