alex_pescaru wrote:

EYorkshire wrote:

In snow a car will stop quicker if a locked wheel digs into the snow, pushing it forward and creating a wedge of snow in front of the tyre.

That is true only on loose snow or on soft sand.
You'll only find loose snow on country lanes, when you are the first to drive through.
On compacted snow or ice (what you'll usualy meet on city streets), ABS is more useful than no ABS.

I recentlyhad a day at the MIRA centre on their "wet grip" areas, learnt a lot but one interesting thing is on the ice surface full pressure on the ABS is not the best option, by just easing back very slightly on the pedal, but still feeling the ABS kicking you put more weight on all four wheels rather than the front. The difference was impressive about 2 car lengths quicker stopping at 50 mph (mind you it takes almost a 1/4 mile to stop from 50!!)

The instructor was mightily impressed with the electronics to stabilise the car on corners, we could drive around 35mph before the car let go, compared to 20mph in a front drive Audi, (and about 10mph in a BMW!!) all on the snow type surface.

one up for the Freelander

freefrom wrote:

alex_pescaru wrote:

EYorkshire wrote:

In snow a car will stop quicker if a locked wheel digs into the snow, pushing it forward and creating a wedge of snow in front of the tyre.

That is true only on loose snow or on soft sand.
You'll only find loose snow on country lanes, when you are the first to drive through.
On compacted snow or ice (what you'll usualy meet on city streets), ABS is more useful than no ABS.

I recentlyhad a day at the MIRA centre on their "wet grip" areas, learnt a lot but one interesting thing is on the ice surface full pressure on the ABS is not the best option, by just easing back very slightly on the pedal, but still feeling the ABS kicking you put more weight on all four wheels rather than the front. The difference was impressive about 2 car lengths quicker stopping at 50 mph (mind you it takes almost a 1/4 mile to stop from 50!!)

The instructor was mightily impressed with the electronics to stabilise the car on corners, we could drive around 35mph before the car let go, compared to 20mph in a front drive Audi, (and about 10mph in a BMW!!) all on the snow type surface.

one up for the Freelander

Yes for sure we wereon normal tyres for all cars. Its also true for everything BUT hard frozen ice just keep your foot on the brakes hard

Freefrom, your latest post seems to conflict with your previous, ie use of ABS?? Out of interest how did you gain access to the MIRA track? is it available for the general public? Might make a good venue for a meet.
PS in my first freelie I went for a play in snow/ice and almost lost it on a short steep slope on ice when in HDC I panicked and hit the brakes........ JT Upgraded to an ex demo, 7 mth old, Rimini Red/Ebony Napoli Auto HSE on 28th Jan 2011, added roof rails, mudflaps and side strips.
Gone - A great 57 Plate, Auto SE, Bought Feb 2009, Roof Rails and Mudflaps added on purchase. Blue colour, anything but drug dealer black.....

sorry too tired last night!


What we found was on hard ice (surface actualy was polished basalt tiles covered in water) by first hitting the brakes hard, then just easing off very slightly so the ABS was still kicking we were able to stop around 2 car lengths quicker than if I just kept full on the brakes. For all the other conditions it was better to keep full on the brakes. In real life of course you would need to know what you were driving on whichcould be difficult.

MIRA is avaialble through some driver training companies (we used Peak performance) I think they only allow "approved" trainers but Im not sure on that.

One other thing we learnt on cornering, although the Freelander would get round quicker, when it did lose grip it was more difficult to correct than a front drive car, probably becouse it tended to go into a four wheel slide rather than lose the front end.

The overall conclusion dont get into a skid cos youll hit somthing

nick

Hey Doctor, Have you had any snow up there to play with yet??

wizking wrote:

Hey Doctor, Have you had any snow up there to play with yet??

Even in Oslo it is mild with rain showers today! (was plenty of snow last year at this time apparently) 10MY (Sept 09) TD4 HSE Auto in Stornoway Grey (Now Gone)

08 FL2 TD4 SE Manual in Rimini Red (Now Gone)

This time last year I was in Yorkshire, and it was -14 and snowing every day!!

It's about 8C here in Ft William, there's a light dusting of snow on the top of the hills but nothing really to get excited about. I still haven't put my winter tyres on yet, it's been too wet and windy!

wizking wrote:

This time last year I was in Yorkshire, and it was -14 and snowing every day!!

Aah yes, that will be around July/August

I haven't heard of any snow of note falling yet, the only time I hear about snow is when I see the TDSA but it seems more of a hope than a fact

[quote="Aah yes, that will be around July/August [/quote]

Ah Yes Doctor, brakes vibrating ABS applied, snow could come yet, be prepared