Winter weather finally got the best of me yesterday...

tplyons · #1 01-01-2010, 01:40 PM

Driving to work yesterday, I had made is 3/4 of the way before snow started falling, and suddenly, there was about a half inch of snow once I passed over the hill's crest. The highway was fine, but the exit ramp was dangerous... a few people have skidded off the road here and I was one of them this time.

I don't know where the state gets the idea that snow plows shouldn't be out until after the snow has started falling, and hasn't cleared off the exit ramps which require turning, something we all know that is more difficult in the snow.

Regardless, their lack of forethought, and my lack of decent tires caused me to bounce off both the left and right curb before jumping the curb into a field. I took the turn at about 9-11 mph and still lost my footing. I missed trees and the guard rail, and only suffered minor damage. Wheels are scraped up, hub caps are busted to hell, and my front air dam is partly missing and the alignment is out of whack. Not to mention my ego being severely bruised.

For those who don't recall, I started that snow tire thread a while back in November. Those last four miles I knew were going to be dangerous, and this was that first mile of the last four that nearly killed me since plows hadn't been out yet. Now, I'm wishing I didn't cheap out on snow tires and leave me barely adequate summer tires on the car this long. Then, I wouldn't have to be replacing a wheel or two to start my 2010.

The car is repairable, I'm okay... just annoyed that my cheapness finally got the best of me.

RWP · #2 01-01-2010, 01:51 PM

Glad you are okay! Have the shop check out the front suspension parts carefully. I bet there are some bent parts that will eat tires in the future if not fixed.

Over the summer I put a set of pimp 22's on my Tahoe thinking this winter like the past 5 would be a non event. Wrong. Thank goodness I saved the stock snow tires, the 305 40 R22's I put on would have done nothing in the snow.

tplyons · #3 01-01-2010, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RWP

Glad you are okay! Have the shop check out the front suspension parts carefully. I bet there are some bent parts that will eat tires in the future if not fixed.

Yep, that's the plan. I've talked to my dad and my HHR will be commuting locally next week and I'll be driving his car back and forth... I wish I could get under the car and check it out myself, but I don't have the equipment, so it'll have to wait to get in a shop. Until then, local duty only.

To top it off, I found out 2 or 3 others slid off the road on their way to work yesterday in the same area. Nobody else was hurt, but I was the only one who could drive my car after the incident. I consider myself very lucky. Just an eye opener.

MJ5150 · #4 01-01-2010, 02:54 PM

We better not see a spike in M&M prices to cover the cost of the damages to your car.

-Mike

ugly_bassplayer · #5 01-01-2010, 02:56 PM

Snow tires are a must. IMO
I would never in my life drive a car in winter without them.

capnsandwich · #6 01-01-2010, 03:05 PM

It sounds to me that you didn't slide on the snow but probably the ice underneath the snow, since you were only going 9-11 mph. I had a similar experience when I lived in Maryland on my way to school. I hit a patch of black ice that got me stuck on the side of the road. I got to school, thanks to a taxi cab that also slid right in front of me but didn't get stuck, and then came back to find my rear end caved in by another car that hit the same patch of black ice.

In cases of icy roads, no type of tires or 4 wheel drive will help. It's just a matter of pumping your brakes, staying in a lower gear, and not hitting your gas constantly. Just my experience mind you.

Pilgrim · #7 01-01-2010, 03:06 PM

Glad you're OK.....anyone can get caught, so fix the car and you'll be wiser for the ride. I once got into a slushy stretch of road - the sluch packed the treads on the tires and the car just took off on the line it was traveling. I had time to try brakes, steering both ways and throttle before hitting a wall. Absolutely nothing would restore traction.

ugly_bassplayer · #8 01-01-2010, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by capnsandwich

It sounds to me that you didn't slide on the snow but probably the ice underneath the snow, since you were only going 9-11 mph. I had a similar experience when I lived in Maryland on my way to school. I hit a patch of black ice that got me stuck on the side of the road. I got to school, thanks to a taxi cab that also slid right in front of me but didn't get stuck, and then came back to find my rear end caved in by another car that hit the same patch of black ice.

In cases of icy roads, no type of tires or 4 wheel drive will help. It's just a matter of pumping your brakes, staying in a lower gear, and not hitting your gas constantly. Just my experience mind you.

I agree , no tire is going to stop you from slipping on black ice.