🚀 go-pugleaf

In article <3a9852f5$0$15880@dingus.crosslink.net>,
John Gilmer <gilmer@crosslink.net> wrote:
>
>
>> And how about a low gear, the engine acts a  break.
>
>Using the engire to brake on ice can get you into trouble.   If you leave it
>is high gear the engine doesn't impart much torgue to the wheels and you may
>be OK.   If you downshift you can force the driving wheel to go slower that
>the car and effectively force a skid.   If you have a front wheel drive car
>you lose steering.

And if you have a rear wheel drive your back end tries to come around
on you.  

>The BEST way to slow down is pump the brakes if you have regular brakes or
>apply slight brake pressure.   You traction on ice is about 10% or less of
>dry traction.    If you are going down a hill will more than a 10% grade and
>hit ice you are no longer driving if you try to stop.   You best best would
>be to hit something cheap before you pick up much speed!

Snow on the ground will slow you down plenty; I found that on flat
ground usually just putting the clutch in and letting friction slow me
worked well; if not, clutch and brakes was better than letting engine
braking work.  However I have found in the past that controlling speed
down a hill in the snow works better using a combination of engine and
brakes.
-- 
Matthew T. Russotto                                russotto@pond.com
"Extremism in defense of liberty is no vice, and moderation in pursuit
of justice is no virtue."