Driving in Snow: an adventure last weekend
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Driving in Snow: an adventure last weekend
It all started three weeks ago when we had our first really big storm.
Driving back from Oregon, I encountered the brunt of the storm. I've got the all season, M+S tires, and I've heard such great stories about the WRX and it's ability to handle the snow, so I wasn't too concerned about putting chains on. As the snowfall got heavier and heavier, and the pavement turned from wet, to slush and then to packed snow, the performance of the little Scooby astounded me!
At one point in the trip, I stopped at a truck stop in Weed, California. The exit ramp and local roads hadn't been plowed for a few hours, and there was plenty of new stuff. The truck stop parking lot wasn't plowed at all. There was minimum 8-12 inches of standing powder. Needless to say, I couldn't resist driving across it and giving the WRX what I thought was a real test. To my surprise, it handled it flawlessly. I even stopped on the deep snow, and took off again, with no slipping. Incredible! I love this car!!!
Flash forward two weeks, to last weekend when the next really big storm came. I was planning on going skiing at Mt. Ashland up in Oregon, and had made it as far as the bottom of the 8 mile access road. We had to wait about an hour before they opened it, because several cars had already crashed out.
Feeling really confident from the previous weekend, plowing through 12 inches of powder with the little scooby using only M+S tires, I thought I'd have no problem getting to the ski lodge. I got about 100 yards up the road and on the first turn --a slightly steep, heavily cambered turn-- and saw two vehicles sitting helplessly in the ditch on the inside of the turn. I slowed my car to a crawl, preparing to ask them if they needed help, when all of a sudden, WHOOOA NELLIE!!!
...without hitting my brakes, or doing anything erratically whatsoever, Mr. Gravity took hold of my car and slid me towards the center of the turn, too--and right into the ditch. I simply lost my momentum and that was that. DAMNIT!
I impacted the snow bank at about 1 mph, *** first, so there wasn't any damage done to the car, and I wasn't seriously concerned. It wasn't until people heading up the mountain, stopping to ask if we were ok, started sliding into the ditch also!!! With the help of some others, I got pushed out of the ditch. 5 minutes later, while I was putting my Les Schwab "quick chains" on the front tires, a Subaru Legacy was in the same ditch I had just been pushed from. Two minutes later, a 4Runner hit Mr. Legacy and a new Suburban that was in the ditch. Ouch.
Within 5 minutes, there were 10 cars in the ditch. Nearly all of them were AWD or 4X4.
I took my car to the bottom of the hill, parked it, and helped the other guys dig their cars out for about 3 hours. The Suburban, dispite our best efforts (including installing chains on his rear tires), never got out. He eventually got really zealous after about an hour of trying, and managed to high-center the thing. At the end, a dualy 4x4 tow truck, with chains on all *six wheels*, attempted to pull him out, and couldn't. The thing was just so freaking heavy.
So, for all you Scooby folks going to Tahoe this weekend, hoping to get carve up some awesome powder that's surely going to get dumped, BEWARE!
What I encountered was packed snow, that had been packed so slick, it was, for all intents, ice. And we all know that ice + 4X4 or AWD means nothing, especially on a grade. Carry your chains, and save yourself some hassle if the road is really bad--install 'em. I didn't think I'd ever use chains on my WRX, but I was wrong, and really, REALLY glad I had them.
While the Scooby's AWD is amazing, it's not infallable. Next year, when I move back up to Oregon, I think I'll get studded tires for the winter skiing season (sadly, they're illegal in California, iirc), or some Bridgstone Blizzaks, to be on the safe side.
Cheers!
Driving back from Oregon, I encountered the brunt of the storm. I've got the all season, M+S tires, and I've heard such great stories about the WRX and it's ability to handle the snow, so I wasn't too concerned about putting chains on. As the snowfall got heavier and heavier, and the pavement turned from wet, to slush and then to packed snow, the performance of the little Scooby astounded me!
At one point in the trip, I stopped at a truck stop in Weed, California. The exit ramp and local roads hadn't been plowed for a few hours, and there was plenty of new stuff. The truck stop parking lot wasn't plowed at all. There was minimum 8-12 inches of standing powder. Needless to say, I couldn't resist driving across it and giving the WRX what I thought was a real test. To my surprise, it handled it flawlessly. I even stopped on the deep snow, and took off again, with no slipping. Incredible! I love this car!!!
Flash forward two weeks, to last weekend when the next really big storm came. I was planning on going skiing at Mt. Ashland up in Oregon, and had made it as far as the bottom of the 8 mile access road. We had to wait about an hour before they opened it, because several cars had already crashed out.
Feeling really confident from the previous weekend, plowing through 12 inches of powder with the little scooby using only M+S tires, I thought I'd have no problem getting to the ski lodge. I got about 100 yards up the road and on the first turn --a slightly steep, heavily cambered turn-- and saw two vehicles sitting helplessly in the ditch on the inside of the turn. I slowed my car to a crawl, preparing to ask them if they needed help, when all of a sudden, WHOOOA NELLIE!!!
...without hitting my brakes, or doing anything erratically whatsoever, Mr. Gravity took hold of my car and slid me towards the center of the turn, too--and right into the ditch. I simply lost my momentum and that was that. DAMNIT!
I impacted the snow bank at about 1 mph, *** first, so there wasn't any damage done to the car, and I wasn't seriously concerned. It wasn't until people heading up the mountain, stopping to ask if we were ok, started sliding into the ditch also!!! With the help of some others, I got pushed out of the ditch. 5 minutes later, while I was putting my Les Schwab "quick chains" on the front tires, a Subaru Legacy was in the same ditch I had just been pushed from. Two minutes later, a 4Runner hit Mr. Legacy and a new Suburban that was in the ditch. Ouch.
Within 5 minutes, there were 10 cars in the ditch. Nearly all of them were AWD or 4X4.
I took my car to the bottom of the hill, parked it, and helped the other guys dig their cars out for about 3 hours. The Suburban, dispite our best efforts (including installing chains on his rear tires), never got out. He eventually got really zealous after about an hour of trying, and managed to high-center the thing. At the end, a dualy 4x4 tow truck, with chains on all *six wheels*, attempted to pull him out, and couldn't. The thing was just so freaking heavy.
So, for all you Scooby folks going to Tahoe this weekend, hoping to get carve up some awesome powder that's surely going to get dumped, BEWARE!
What I encountered was packed snow, that had been packed so slick, it was, for all intents, ice. And we all know that ice + 4X4 or AWD means nothing, especially on a grade. Carry your chains, and save yourself some hassle if the road is really bad--install 'em. I didn't think I'd ever use chains on my WRX, but I was wrong, and really, REALLY glad I had them.
While the Scooby's AWD is amazing, it's not infallable. Next year, when I move back up to Oregon, I think I'll get studded tires for the winter skiing season (sadly, they're illegal in California, iirc), or some Bridgstone Blizzaks, to be on the safe side.
Cheers!
Last edited by n192da; Jan 7, 2005 at 11:00 AM.
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true that.
So many people assume because they have AWD or 4x4 and good tires that they can do anything.
glad you made it out before the 4runner plowed into the area.
So many people assume because they have AWD or 4x4 and good tires that they can do anything.
glad you made it out before the 4runner plowed into the area.
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Originally Posted by mcdrama
ok, what size chains do I need? ;x
look on the side of the box it lists all the sizes that they fit
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Seems like I've read that the Bridgestone Blizzaks are 'studless' snow tires, which provide the same amount of traction as traditional studded tires.
Anyone use these? Anyone confirm or deny their performance on *ice* ?
Anyone use these? Anyone confirm or deny their performance on *ice* ?
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Studded tires are legal, to an extent....
Finding a retailer... now that's the hard part.
Originally Posted by California Vehicle Code Section 27454
Protuberances on Tires: Exceptions
27454. No tire on any vehicle upon any highway shall have on its periphery any block, stud, flange, cleat, ridge, bead, or any other protuberance of metal or wood that projects beyond the tread of the traction surface of the tire.
This section does not apply to any of the following:
(a) Tire traction devices of reasonable size used to prevent skidding when upon wet surfaces or when upon snow or ice.
(b) Pneumatic tires that have embedded therein wire not to exceed 0.075 of an inch in diameter and that are so constructed that under no conditions will the percentage of metal in contact with the roadway exceed 5 percent of the total tire area in contact with the roadway, except that during the first 1,000 miles of use or operation of the tire, the metal in contact with the roadway may exceed 5 percent of the tire area in contact with the roadway, but shall in no event exceed 20 percent of the area.
(c) Vehicles operated upon unimproved roadways when necessary in the construction or repair of highways.
(d) Traction engines or tractors when operated under the conditions of a permit first obtained from the Department of Transportation.
(e) Pneumatic tires containing metal-type studs of tungsten carbide or other suitable material that are so inserted or constructed that under no conditions will the number of studs or the percentage of metal in contact with the roadway exceed 3 percent of the total tire area in contact with the roadway, between November 1 and April 30 of each year. The commissioner, after consultation with the Department of Transportation, may extend the period during which studded pneumatic tires may be used in any area of the state for the protection of the public because of adverse weather conditions.
(f) Pneumatic tires used on an authorized emergency vehicle, as defined in Section 165, containing metal-type studs of tungsten carbide or other suitable material, if the studs are so inserted or constructed that under no conditions will the number of studs or the percentage of metal in contact with the roadway exceed 3 percent of the total tire area in contact with the roadway. Notwithstanding subdivision (e), authorized emergency vehicles are permitted the unrestricted use of studded pneumatic tires throughout the year.
Amended Sec. 22, Ch. 828, Stats. 1998. Effective January 1, 1999.
27454. No tire on any vehicle upon any highway shall have on its periphery any block, stud, flange, cleat, ridge, bead, or any other protuberance of metal or wood that projects beyond the tread of the traction surface of the tire.
This section does not apply to any of the following:
(a) Tire traction devices of reasonable size used to prevent skidding when upon wet surfaces or when upon snow or ice.
(b) Pneumatic tires that have embedded therein wire not to exceed 0.075 of an inch in diameter and that are so constructed that under no conditions will the percentage of metal in contact with the roadway exceed 5 percent of the total tire area in contact with the roadway, except that during the first 1,000 miles of use or operation of the tire, the metal in contact with the roadway may exceed 5 percent of the tire area in contact with the roadway, but shall in no event exceed 20 percent of the area.
(c) Vehicles operated upon unimproved roadways when necessary in the construction or repair of highways.
(d) Traction engines or tractors when operated under the conditions of a permit first obtained from the Department of Transportation.
(e) Pneumatic tires containing metal-type studs of tungsten carbide or other suitable material that are so inserted or constructed that under no conditions will the number of studs or the percentage of metal in contact with the roadway exceed 3 percent of the total tire area in contact with the roadway, between November 1 and April 30 of each year. The commissioner, after consultation with the Department of Transportation, may extend the period during which studded pneumatic tires may be used in any area of the state for the protection of the public because of adverse weather conditions.
(f) Pneumatic tires used on an authorized emergency vehicle, as defined in Section 165, containing metal-type studs of tungsten carbide or other suitable material, if the studs are so inserted or constructed that under no conditions will the number of studs or the percentage of metal in contact with the roadway exceed 3 percent of the total tire area in contact with the roadway. Notwithstanding subdivision (e), authorized emergency vehicles are permitted the unrestricted use of studded pneumatic tires throughout the year.
Amended Sec. 22, Ch. 828, Stats. 1998. Effective January 1, 1999.
Originally Posted by n192da
Within 5 minutes, there were 10 cars in the ditch. Nearly all of them were AWD or 4X4.
i remember seeing photos from las vegas a few years ago when it heavily snowed for a short time.
a pixs from the newspaper showed the side of the freeway with SUVs that "crashed" on the side...
worse now is more and more AWD station wagons... er, i mean SUVs are coming with more and more "street" tires and at the same time, show the vehicles in commercials plowing through snow like its nothing...
with that, the 4wd club i belong to, will make our first snow run on HWY 50. normally this road (Iron Mtn Rd) goes from 50 to 88. but when its snowed over, the gate at 88 is blocked so we just do a in and out run... follow linky here: www.gettinoff4x4.com (shameless plug...
)
Went up to Tahoe this AM and got sent down a an unplowed side road (Hwy 50 was closed). I pulled into the snow on the side and slid down (P-zero Nero M+S w/ 2k miles) into a driveway a few feet. Because the snow was so wet, I could get no traction. I ended up having to put on some of those cable chains to get out of this guys driveway. It's ugly out there for sure... Some truly dedicated SNOW tires would have done better, but I know when not to push it with what I've got. First time to throw chains on in years... I felt humbled by old mother nature...
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I did the drive on 89 from 80 to S. Tahoe last Wednesday. Nearly ate it on the first hairpin when I tapped the brake a tad too hard and broke the back end free. Ended up six feet short of rolling down a cliff. That was the longest 5 seconds of my life! I didn't make that mistake again. From that point on I was in first gear doing 5mph a good 100 feet before entering a hairpin. Hey, better safe than sorry. And after watching me slide, the drivers of the two cars behind me decided to become extremely cautious, too.
This was all in my '02 WRX with RE950s, but other than that operator error induced slide, the drive was more tedious than eventful...except for getting high centered on an unplowed gas station driveway. The WRX may be able to take on a 12" blanket of fresh powder, but an accumulation of plowed slush is another matter. Just remember to pack a small shovel along with your chains if you head up there anytime soon.
This was all in my '02 WRX with RE950s, but other than that operator error induced slide, the drive was more tedious than eventful...except for getting high centered on an unplowed gas station driveway. The WRX may be able to take on a 12" blanket of fresh powder, but an accumulation of plowed slush is another matter. Just remember to pack a small shovel along with your chains if you head up there anytime soon.
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SNOW TIRES!!!!!
They make the BIGGEST difference you could imagine on the white stuff. I just mounted up some Blizzaks on 15" BBS STi wheels (purchased from our own Joltdudeuc
) on my wife's '00 RS. Up until this point, I had been running the Bridgestone RE750s on the stock 16"s. We were up in Tahoe for a week and a half over the Christmas/New Years holiday on that setup and it plain sucked. I feared having to leave the house with the amount of snow we got up there. My brother's '01 Legacy GT handled much better although he runs Continental ContiExtremeContact's.
This weekend with the new rim/tire setup was unbelievable. It was just so much better I have a hard time describing it. I lived in Colorado for 5 years and never had dedicated snow tires, and I feel like an idiot now for not even trying them before this. If you spend a significant time in the snow, you should seriously consider getting a spare set of wheels to mount snow tires on. You WILL NOT regret it.
-Brian
They make the BIGGEST difference you could imagine on the white stuff. I just mounted up some Blizzaks on 15" BBS STi wheels (purchased from our own Joltdudeuc
) on my wife's '00 RS. Up until this point, I had been running the Bridgestone RE750s on the stock 16"s. We were up in Tahoe for a week and a half over the Christmas/New Years holiday on that setup and it plain sucked. I feared having to leave the house with the amount of snow we got up there. My brother's '01 Legacy GT handled much better although he runs Continental ContiExtremeContact's.This weekend with the new rim/tire setup was unbelievable. It was just so much better I have a hard time describing it. I lived in Colorado for 5 years and never had dedicated snow tires, and I feel like an idiot now for not even trying them before this. If you spend a significant time in the snow, you should seriously consider getting a spare set of wheels to mount snow tires on. You WILL NOT regret it.
-Brian