🚀 go-pugleaf

In article <BzFp62.L44@plato.ds.boeing.com> sml@plato.ds.boeing.com (Stuart Lewis) writes:
>
> [ ... much quoted stuff deleted ...]

>Never do anything sudden or abrupt - in gas, brakes or
>steering when driving in snow. 

The above is the most important thing regardless of how an individual
car handles.  Probably should be engraved on the inside of the windshield...

When one fishtails because one has goosed it, and THAT is the reason
for the fishtail (as opposed to entering a turn too fast or braking
too hard), backing off the gas and/or de-clutching is what is needed,
not more gas.  Correct for the fishtail conservatively; don't over
control.  Corrective action is influenced by what caused the skid
in the first place.  The descriptions I have read here suggest the
sort of skids resulting from braking or going into a curve too hot.

Another thing I find useful - know the road surface condition.  Just
because it LOOKS ok doesn't mean it is.  I like to (at first safe
opportunity) test traction by tapping the brakes, and when the character
of the road changes, check again.  The result may surprise you.  Be wary
of surfaces too 'clean', or with a bit of a sparkle, especially at night.
Based on personal experience, no fancy schools - just years of driving
experience in Wyoming, Idaho, Illinois, etc.  And keep that interval
between your car and others much larger than you usually would (tailgating
is endemic around here, you open up the interval, invariably some clown
dives in to fill it up).  It makes it that much harder to keep a decent
interval, but icy conditions one must.  Also, keep aware of the fellow
behind you:  Just because you can stop on a dime, doesn't mean he can.
Kinda discouraging if you brake successfuly, only to get hammered in
the rear by someone who DIDN'T.  Assume the car behind you cannot stop
easily, and drive accordingly.  Who is at fault is not important, a bent
car fixed up is never the same.

-- 
pat@rwing.uucp                                  (Pat Myrto),  Seattle, WA
                      If all else fails, try:
         ...!uunet!{pilchuck, polari}!rwing!pat
WISDOM:    "Travelling unarmed is like boating without a life jacket"