The best teacher is experience!

 

haha, well experience necessarily takes time, and can be quite costly...

 

If you begin to lose traction, aim the car where you want it to go and slowly ease on the gas. The old adage of point the car in the direction you are spinning (i.e. if the car is spinning, and the rear of the car is going right, turn the wheel right to regain traction) doesn't really matter with AWD, that is for RWD cars. It won't hurt in an AWD car, but you will most likely be pointed in a direction you don't necessiarly want to go.

The main tip from me is, if you start slipping sideways do not lift your foot off the gas or hit the brakes. Both may cause the weight to shift dramatically enough to make you spin more. When you start to move in the direction you want to, hold the gas steady until you have full traction again.


More information:
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do...ticleId=104125

 

This is true! But, if you want to learn to do something, the best way is to get out there and practice. Doctors can study the book 100 times, but when they get to the actual procedures.........things change.

You are definitely right though, some experiences can be quite costly!

 

As was said, experience is the best. I had driven in the snow for a few years while I was stationed in CT, but every car is different and even the current snow conditions can be drastically different. A fresh powder is far easier to control and really helps with braking, than when it's packed. Packed snow gives the illusion of traction but can be the quickest to lose your *** on. It's really about steering and learning to use the throttle and brakes to your advantage instead of against you. Light braking is good, leaving it in lower gear so you can use engine breaking helps as well. The biggest things are do not panic, and think your way through it, and most of all NEVER EVER rush yourself while driving in the snow. My Norah Jones CD gets some good use when I'm in the snow. Calm and cool, and never in a hurry to get anywhere. Keep it at safe speeds, keep an eye out for speeding flatlanders and just enjoy your trip. The alternative to going like a bat out of hell and risking your life is being a little late.


I've found with AWD counter steering isn't as useful as point it and punch it unless you're in a really bad slip, it's similar to FWD with the bonus of the back end helping you come around. I aim the wheels to the direction I intend the car to go and get on the gas a bit to pull me out it.


edit* Good article nKoan.. Thanks

 

lol, its funny how people think the re92 are just crap... but really, their good tires... when they first came out that is... their still good, just not the best anymore. The re92 is a 10year old or a bit more design. they might not stick like the new designs, but thats just what happens with old stuff

 

I am happy wiht my re92's - they are in my garage staying warm. I may pull them out and put the 18's away for a while

 

I went through an entire season in Tahoe on RE-92's, that's every other weekend from Dec - April. They aren't that bad in the snow. Just go slow and keep your distance from the guy in front of you. Once the tread starts to go, that tire is a pile of crap. I wouldn't go more than a season on them if you use them year round. I expected a tire to wear better being that they are only "V" rated.

 

What is a really good tire for snow, that would fit on the WRX?

 

I've had good experiences with Bridgestone Blizzak LM-22 and the Dunlop Wintersport (M2 or M3). I've also heard good things (second-hand knowledge) about the Hankook W-404 and W-300. The Michelin X-Ice and Pilot Sport Alpine 2 are also supposed to be good (but I don't have any first or second hand knowledge of them).

 

I've used Pilot Sport Alpin's from Michelin, Goodyear UltraGrip Ice, Bridgestone Blizzaks and studded Cooper Weathermasters.

Any of which really are a whole lot better than the RE92's when it comes to control in winter conditions.

But all of them will wear out prematurely if you aren't on snow and ice most of the time.

 

I ran Neros for most of last ski season. My feeling is that they are kinda adaquate for snow. This year I'll be running KDWSs without a doubt. There were a handful of times on the Neros that I felt that "+snow" was just a marketing term. On the other hand they rock in the rain. Summary: be careful on the Neros in snow.


I hear RallyX is a good way to prep for limited traction situations. Low an behold there is a RallyX at Altamont on november 6th.

http://www.sfrscca.org/RallyX/
http://www.sfrscca.org/RallyX/?registration

 

I run a set of Dunlop Wintersport M2's. They've been great snow tires. I've had them for about 3 winters and most of the tread is still there and holding up pretty good.

 

I'm planning on taking my family up to the snow, so that my little 3 year old can play in the snow. I want to make sure we have the proper tires to travel in the snow.

 

RE92s are decent as long as you keep your speeds very low, especially when turning. i've seen old subaru 4WD's up in tahoe with completely bald tires