Winter Driving
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From: Cleveland, Ohio
Winter Driving
hopefully this can become a faq with Help from everyone. daily driver experience, input, and or examplesis would be helpful.
I asked Chaz about it and he said "itd be a good idea to have a Winter Driving Faq"
so here it goes (and for the record, the S is my first car and my only car so i have to drive it daily)
intro (my stock set up)
___my S is equipped with the OEM hardtop and the WS-40(? correct me if im wrong, im not sure of the product number) Blizzak Snow Tires.
i bought my S (officially) jan 4th, but the bank did not come thru with my title (even after being approved for the loan that same day) until about Jan 22nd. weather was dry right up until i got my car.... so the very first time i actually got to drive it, snow was on the ground (and it did nothing but almost everyday since), infact Bullit (who sold it to me) had never actually used the Blizzaks on the car, and decided to see wat they could really do in an unplowed parking lot with at least 2-3 inches of snow.
Tires
___upon trying out the tires and turning in circles, he realized that the Blizzak WS-40 do extremely well in Snow, working as a Wet Tire would for rain, they actually tear up the snow to reach the pavement underneath! chaz said the WS-40's work like ice-picks compared to the LM-22's (? not sure on the product number/name).
___trunk (no sandbagging). letting the clutch out easily, the car had no trouble starting from a stop.
___the real problem to worry about is opening up the throttle. Too much, and the tires will spin, especially in deep snow. Under Vtec, the car CAN be controlled on throttle
before taking off
___Make sure your windows are clear and unfogged, and give ur car the walk-around while it warms up so u wont have to worry while on the road. brush snow off your lights, back lights, and i like to clear the front wheels of all that salt/snow built up as much as possible (im anal like that), it can slow u down on the road.
___i discovered that as u drive thru snow, the rear tires kick snow up so much snow, that it actually lands on the back of the car again, even to the point of covering ur rear license plate!!
___be sure to let your car Warm up properly. ive noticed that on Cold starts, the engine stays around 3,000 rpms and slowly winds down to the normal 1,500 (or so) revs as the engin heats up. when it gets down and around that "norm rev" itll prolly be at 2 blocks temp. so keep in mind, if u need to move for sum reason, be careful. The engine will automatically have those Extra-Revs and u may get a jump.
weather
___also id like to just say, when it comes to snow, its much-much different than rain because u have all types of different terrain from one element.
like:
*powdery-light snow= no problem on salted roads nor lightly covered pavement with snow tires
*heavy snow= blizzard conditions will definently work your windshield wipers, make sure ur car is cleared off and you can see. this is definently the worst condition...
*Cold snow= yes, the crunchy kind, will definently slow u down if its not plowed and may keep ur tires from ever really reaching the pavement underneath due to packed snow
*Slush= this isnt fun to drive in, carefull when switching lanes and the higher slush between the 'tire-tracks'
*cold/wet= the most common, the roads ar salted; just wet. the S will still slip a lil even with with the snow tires, it will react sluggishly and u will learn to just the let the car flow smoothly rather than trying to fight everything the snow throws at you.
*high winds= for sum reason, the winds pick up in winter, fighthing the winds can be scarier than the wet or slick conditions themselves. be warned!
manuevering
___the S is my first FR car ever, ive Drivin FF all my life. so im still getting used to the sliding, but its wat ive always wanted.
___i definently like to drive smooth more than anything (thats just me). even when i had FF, id treat every turn on the Highway like a curve that needed to be "Apexed".
if traffic permitted, id start on the outside of the turn, looking to the inside for the center.
when i saw it open up (as if i could look from Outside to Center and then to Exiting-Outside in one Straight Line), id "Plot my Line" and smoothly make way thru (signalling of course as i change lanes) while aiming for as little as possible steering as i let the car drive back torward the outside as if i was going to go onto the shoulder (slowly straightening the wheel).
if i followed a good line, the car would near the shoulder at exit but never actually drive onto, with as little extra steering as possible. so that exiting the curve is straighter.
i found "Plotting my Line" rather than trying to stay a specific distance from either side of lane; made my driving vastly smoother and better. (maybe u guys know that already, but it helps to share
)
___i found this really helps in winter, as it keeps u as smooth as possible. Avoid wagging the tail!!
in winter, using this idea of "Plotting my Line" i noticed somthing about FR steering. i think of it as 3 options; less, medium, and more. i actually had to drive home in severe snow storm and ive found this in heavy snow conditions
-less throttle= not so great, the moment you put the clutch in or put the car into Nuetral, you have little to No grip! the car will immediately start to slide, even at 5mph in a parking lot!
___and on a banked, snow covered turn at about 35mph in bad conditions, not enough throttle can cause the car to slide to inside! Very BAD!! less throttle can cause the back end to give into gravity during a banked turn!
-steady maintaining= is Ideal for turning, but if winds or braking throws u off, u will have to adjust. traffic can be ur worst enemy during a turn... some ppl are horribly terrified of driving in snow. the best traffic is no traffic, so keep safe distance from everyone else. dont rush into traffic, SUV's will relish the idea showing u up with speed (for no reason) in bad conditions. remember to let other drivers know if u need or plan to pass!
-more= is definently better. but im saying only a little more! no Vtec, Period! dont be afraid to let the car slide, u will experience plenty of it if u drive daily in winter (Takumi Fujiwara style! lol). ive found extra throttle to help during turns such as snow covered embankments. using extra throttle will get the rear to slide out, u want this in a bank turn rather than the back falling to the inside.
___if u want to turn on the throttle- "dont be shy" once u start, do not suddenly stop giving gas but be smooth until u are straight again. letting off of the gas quick will probably get u that suddenly jolt of traction which could make the car suddenly turn the opposite direction.
Turning
the S definently has Oversteer issues, this is exaggerated by sliding with the rear tires. during turns, turn lightly and smoothly as the power steering is designed to help u do. there is a fine point at which the car begins to oversteer and turn a lil sharper, learn how to avoid the oversteer and keep ur steering slow and efficient.
In CLosing, I am Defiently NOT a proffessional driver!!! i am not trying to tell anyone how to drive their car. i just want to share my experiences in hopes that it will keep everyone just that much safer and happier~
my snow experiences
ok, using the parking brake in cold weather, will cause the rear wheels to freeze up a lil, even after theyve started rolling
EXAMPLE. twice, exiting a parkinglot thats slightly higher than the main road, i stopped on the decline to watch for traffic, and upon starting, the rear tires froze lightly causing the car Not to roll down the decline even when the clutch is in. when giving throttle i felt the rear disks unfreeze or pop and suddenly found myself going a lil faster than nessacary over the undriven and lightly powdered meridian.
next i guess i turned too sharply and opened up throttle. cus jus then i felt the rear of my car kick out sooo fast and suddenly, it was like being on the scrambler at Geauga Lake! and when i felt it happen, i automatically turned out as quick as possible and let off the gas, as i let off the gas, the car suddently gripped with a strong jerk as if it had hit somthing. definently not an experience i wanna just jump into again. luckily noone was near me
ADVICE ive started to take off my Hand Brake as the car warms up, that way in teh roughly 5 mins that the car is warming up, the brake is off and the rear disks can move and unstick if they were stuck slightly. this makes for much smoother rolling starts and less surprises....
and if the car is on a hill, i hold my foot on my brake and then take off my hand brake so as not to roll.
_________________________________
other Drivers are almost as bad as teh conditions themselves, ive had SUV's and trucks that think they will not slide barrell past me, passing way closer than they should.
EXAMPLE a element found 35mphs in blizzard conditions too slow for it, so just before it nearly tapped my rear bumper the driver decided to warn me he wanted to pass. thanks.
embankments are no problem unless other drivers are preventing u from going fast enough to actually manuever them. on one such normal 20degree-left-banked-highway-turn, the person infront of me slowed down to 20mph!!! without enough speed my S rear started to give into gravity and nearly fall off the road to the inside of the turn before i applied throttle to push it back up and into a better turn position, resulting in a cute lil doggy tail.... An SUV a couple cars infront of me did the same thing, so it wasnt weight, but principles of physics....
ADVICE stay as far away from everyone as possible, that way u can stay in the middle of the road during those blizzard conditions. make sure noone rides along side u, its wayy too risky.
________________________________
Shifting and Neutral need to be used very sparingly in snow covered roads
EXAMPLE when i first took my S home, it was snowing lightly (my very second day driving stick, first day on an S. late at night, thin powder on highway, 30 min drive. "i still feel my neck tensing up thinking about it")
during a start after a light and up to a 30degree hill, during a shift into second the rear slid out.
and during a turn onto my own street (at the end of the journey), i went into neutral to roll... Bad idea.... I practically Drifted the Turn until i put the car back into gear (the plus side was it looked very smooth)
ADVICE now u kno What NOT to Do! lol!
________________________________
if u Have to Drive in blizzard type conditions, be aware u will be driving slow
EXAMPLE 2/13/07, everyone did 35mph on the highway. oh it was plowed, but there was still a good inche of packed cold snow.... even if i wanted to go faster, it was hard pressed to get that speed.
i made it thru that particular highway experience, but upon turning onto my own street, i became stuck!! my first time getting stuck. i learned to let teh clutch out while giving gas as if i wanted to burn up the tires rather than stall out... i have never gotten stuck before in snow!!! never!!! even tho the S with snow Tires has better grip than the average EconBox with All Seasons, 4inches of snow is leathal!
i finally managed to back up without turning, as my reartires were lucky enough to sit on the plowed inch of snow on the main road while my fronts were trapped in the 4 inch unplow.
i had to get out, and kick away snow from teh back tires so i could get a taste of asphalt and try it moderately powered to pull back and out.
with enough speed i managed to push down my street and into my driveway with scary snow sounds and rough ride under my chassis.
ADVICE DONT EVER STOP!! not for STOP SIGNS or even other drivers, kindness will just get u stuck. if u are forced to drive in these conditions the cops owe it to u to be leaniant, if theyre out at all...
and if your job is evil enough to open on that one particularly forewarned worse day of the year, call in Sick. your car will thank you.
oh and i have pix to prove i conquered the 2/13th in my S!
tho these do not do it justice. i knew i shouldve taken a pic right as i came out and saw my car as a mound of snow...
(oh, i have to put them on the album eh? well ill make another post in this topic to share. in the meantime, DONT BE SHY! if YOU DAILY DRIVE YOUR S, WE NEED YOUR HELP TO MAKE THIS A FAQ!!) that means, you Chazmo and Spitfire!
I asked Chaz about it and he said "itd be a good idea to have a Winter Driving Faq"
so here it goes (and for the record, the S is my first car and my only car so i have to drive it daily)
intro (my stock set up)
___my S is equipped with the OEM hardtop and the WS-40(? correct me if im wrong, im not sure of the product number) Blizzak Snow Tires.
i bought my S (officially) jan 4th, but the bank did not come thru with my title (even after being approved for the loan that same day) until about Jan 22nd. weather was dry right up until i got my car.... so the very first time i actually got to drive it, snow was on the ground (and it did nothing but almost everyday since), infact Bullit (who sold it to me) had never actually used the Blizzaks on the car, and decided to see wat they could really do in an unplowed parking lot with at least 2-3 inches of snow.
Tires
___upon trying out the tires and turning in circles, he realized that the Blizzak WS-40 do extremely well in Snow, working as a Wet Tire would for rain, they actually tear up the snow to reach the pavement underneath! chaz said the WS-40's work like ice-picks compared to the LM-22's (? not sure on the product number/name).
___trunk (no sandbagging). letting the clutch out easily, the car had no trouble starting from a stop.
___the real problem to worry about is opening up the throttle. Too much, and the tires will spin, especially in deep snow. Under Vtec, the car CAN be controlled on throttle
before taking off
___Make sure your windows are clear and unfogged, and give ur car the walk-around while it warms up so u wont have to worry while on the road. brush snow off your lights, back lights, and i like to clear the front wheels of all that salt/snow built up as much as possible (im anal like that), it can slow u down on the road.
___i discovered that as u drive thru snow, the rear tires kick snow up so much snow, that it actually lands on the back of the car again, even to the point of covering ur rear license plate!!
___be sure to let your car Warm up properly. ive noticed that on Cold starts, the engine stays around 3,000 rpms and slowly winds down to the normal 1,500 (or so) revs as the engin heats up. when it gets down and around that "norm rev" itll prolly be at 2 blocks temp. so keep in mind, if u need to move for sum reason, be careful. The engine will automatically have those Extra-Revs and u may get a jump.
weather
___also id like to just say, when it comes to snow, its much-much different than rain because u have all types of different terrain from one element.
like:
*powdery-light snow= no problem on salted roads nor lightly covered pavement with snow tires
*heavy snow= blizzard conditions will definently work your windshield wipers, make sure ur car is cleared off and you can see. this is definently the worst condition...
*Cold snow= yes, the crunchy kind, will definently slow u down if its not plowed and may keep ur tires from ever really reaching the pavement underneath due to packed snow
*Slush= this isnt fun to drive in, carefull when switching lanes and the higher slush between the 'tire-tracks'
*cold/wet= the most common, the roads ar salted; just wet. the S will still slip a lil even with with the snow tires, it will react sluggishly and u will learn to just the let the car flow smoothly rather than trying to fight everything the snow throws at you.
*high winds= for sum reason, the winds pick up in winter, fighthing the winds can be scarier than the wet or slick conditions themselves. be warned!
manuevering
___the S is my first FR car ever, ive Drivin FF all my life. so im still getting used to the sliding, but its wat ive always wanted.
___i definently like to drive smooth more than anything (thats just me). even when i had FF, id treat every turn on the Highway like a curve that needed to be "Apexed".
if traffic permitted, id start on the outside of the turn, looking to the inside for the center.
when i saw it open up (as if i could look from Outside to Center and then to Exiting-Outside in one Straight Line), id "Plot my Line" and smoothly make way thru (signalling of course as i change lanes) while aiming for as little as possible steering as i let the car drive back torward the outside as if i was going to go onto the shoulder (slowly straightening the wheel).
if i followed a good line, the car would near the shoulder at exit but never actually drive onto, with as little extra steering as possible. so that exiting the curve is straighter.
i found "Plotting my Line" rather than trying to stay a specific distance from either side of lane; made my driving vastly smoother and better. (maybe u guys know that already, but it helps to share
)___i found this really helps in winter, as it keeps u as smooth as possible. Avoid wagging the tail!!
in winter, using this idea of "Plotting my Line" i noticed somthing about FR steering. i think of it as 3 options; less, medium, and more. i actually had to drive home in severe snow storm and ive found this in heavy snow conditions
-less throttle= not so great, the moment you put the clutch in or put the car into Nuetral, you have little to No grip! the car will immediately start to slide, even at 5mph in a parking lot!
___and on a banked, snow covered turn at about 35mph in bad conditions, not enough throttle can cause the car to slide to inside! Very BAD!! less throttle can cause the back end to give into gravity during a banked turn!
-steady maintaining= is Ideal for turning, but if winds or braking throws u off, u will have to adjust. traffic can be ur worst enemy during a turn... some ppl are horribly terrified of driving in snow. the best traffic is no traffic, so keep safe distance from everyone else. dont rush into traffic, SUV's will relish the idea showing u up with speed (for no reason) in bad conditions. remember to let other drivers know if u need or plan to pass!
-more= is definently better. but im saying only a little more! no Vtec, Period! dont be afraid to let the car slide, u will experience plenty of it if u drive daily in winter (Takumi Fujiwara style! lol). ive found extra throttle to help during turns such as snow covered embankments. using extra throttle will get the rear to slide out, u want this in a bank turn rather than the back falling to the inside.
___if u want to turn on the throttle- "dont be shy" once u start, do not suddenly stop giving gas but be smooth until u are straight again. letting off of the gas quick will probably get u that suddenly jolt of traction which could make the car suddenly turn the opposite direction.
Turning
the S definently has Oversteer issues, this is exaggerated by sliding with the rear tires. during turns, turn lightly and smoothly as the power steering is designed to help u do. there is a fine point at which the car begins to oversteer and turn a lil sharper, learn how to avoid the oversteer and keep ur steering slow and efficient.
In CLosing, I am Defiently NOT a proffessional driver!!! i am not trying to tell anyone how to drive their car. i just want to share my experiences in hopes that it will keep everyone just that much safer and happier~
my snow experiences
ok, using the parking brake in cold weather, will cause the rear wheels to freeze up a lil, even after theyve started rolling
EXAMPLE. twice, exiting a parkinglot thats slightly higher than the main road, i stopped on the decline to watch for traffic, and upon starting, the rear tires froze lightly causing the car Not to roll down the decline even when the clutch is in. when giving throttle i felt the rear disks unfreeze or pop and suddenly found myself going a lil faster than nessacary over the undriven and lightly powdered meridian.
next i guess i turned too sharply and opened up throttle. cus jus then i felt the rear of my car kick out sooo fast and suddenly, it was like being on the scrambler at Geauga Lake! and when i felt it happen, i automatically turned out as quick as possible and let off the gas, as i let off the gas, the car suddently gripped with a strong jerk as if it had hit somthing. definently not an experience i wanna just jump into again. luckily noone was near me
ADVICE ive started to take off my Hand Brake as the car warms up, that way in teh roughly 5 mins that the car is warming up, the brake is off and the rear disks can move and unstick if they were stuck slightly. this makes for much smoother rolling starts and less surprises....
and if the car is on a hill, i hold my foot on my brake and then take off my hand brake so as not to roll.
_________________________________
other Drivers are almost as bad as teh conditions themselves, ive had SUV's and trucks that think they will not slide barrell past me, passing way closer than they should.
EXAMPLE a element found 35mphs in blizzard conditions too slow for it, so just before it nearly tapped my rear bumper the driver decided to warn me he wanted to pass. thanks.
embankments are no problem unless other drivers are preventing u from going fast enough to actually manuever them. on one such normal 20degree-left-banked-highway-turn, the person infront of me slowed down to 20mph!!! without enough speed my S rear started to give into gravity and nearly fall off the road to the inside of the turn before i applied throttle to push it back up and into a better turn position, resulting in a cute lil doggy tail.... An SUV a couple cars infront of me did the same thing, so it wasnt weight, but principles of physics....
ADVICE stay as far away from everyone as possible, that way u can stay in the middle of the road during those blizzard conditions. make sure noone rides along side u, its wayy too risky.
________________________________
Shifting and Neutral need to be used very sparingly in snow covered roads
EXAMPLE when i first took my S home, it was snowing lightly (my very second day driving stick, first day on an S. late at night, thin powder on highway, 30 min drive. "i still feel my neck tensing up thinking about it")
during a start after a light and up to a 30degree hill, during a shift into second the rear slid out.
and during a turn onto my own street (at the end of the journey), i went into neutral to roll... Bad idea.... I practically Drifted the Turn until i put the car back into gear (the plus side was it looked very smooth)
ADVICE now u kno What NOT to Do! lol!
________________________________
if u Have to Drive in blizzard type conditions, be aware u will be driving slow
EXAMPLE 2/13/07, everyone did 35mph on the highway. oh it was plowed, but there was still a good inche of packed cold snow.... even if i wanted to go faster, it was hard pressed to get that speed.
i made it thru that particular highway experience, but upon turning onto my own street, i became stuck!! my first time getting stuck. i learned to let teh clutch out while giving gas as if i wanted to burn up the tires rather than stall out... i have never gotten stuck before in snow!!! never!!! even tho the S with snow Tires has better grip than the average EconBox with All Seasons, 4inches of snow is leathal!
i finally managed to back up without turning, as my reartires were lucky enough to sit on the plowed inch of snow on the main road while my fronts were trapped in the 4 inch unplow.
i had to get out, and kick away snow from teh back tires so i could get a taste of asphalt and try it moderately powered to pull back and out.
with enough speed i managed to push down my street and into my driveway with scary snow sounds and rough ride under my chassis.
ADVICE DONT EVER STOP!! not for STOP SIGNS or even other drivers, kindness will just get u stuck. if u are forced to drive in these conditions the cops owe it to u to be leaniant, if theyre out at all...
and if your job is evil enough to open on that one particularly forewarned worse day of the year, call in Sick. your car will thank you.
oh and i have pix to prove i conquered the 2/13th in my S!
tho these do not do it justice. i knew i shouldve taken a pic right as i came out and saw my car as a mound of snow...
(oh, i have to put them on the album eh? well ill make another post in this topic to share. in the meantime, DONT BE SHY! if YOU DAILY DRIVE YOUR S, WE NEED YOUR HELP TO MAKE THIS A FAQ!!) that means, you Chazmo and Spitfire!
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 4,953
Likes: 25
From: 17 ft below sea level.
Very informative post Raj 
As a daily driver I can recommend taking an advanced driving school with your S2000.
And I really mean, with your S2000, not the school's car.
(maybe some schools have S2000's to pracitce with..... but I don't think so
)
It gives you the chance to experience the famous oversteer without having to think about curbs, sign posts or (the worst!) other cars.
Braking with ABS is also something different.
At the school I went to the instructor said that people sometimes just don't brake hard enough because the tapping in the brake pedal and the noise that ABS makes "scared" them.
In a situation when you really need it, its good to know what it feels like in your brake pedal and its good to experience the handling of the car while braking as hard as you can & steering on a slippery surface to avoid hazzards.
Being "scared of your brake pedal" in those situations is not good.
Have FUN with your S2000
As a daily driver I can recommend taking an advanced driving school with your S2000.
And I really mean, with your S2000, not the school's car.
(maybe some schools have S2000's to pracitce with..... but I don't think so
)It gives you the chance to experience the famous oversteer without having to think about curbs, sign posts or (the worst!) other cars.
Braking with ABS is also something different.
At the school I went to the instructor said that people sometimes just don't brake hard enough because the tapping in the brake pedal and the noise that ABS makes "scared" them.
In a situation when you really need it, its good to know what it feels like in your brake pedal and its good to experience the handling of the car while braking as hard as you can & steering on a slippery surface to avoid hazzards.
Being "scared of your brake pedal" in those situations is not good.
Have FUN with your S2000
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