DRIVING IN THE SNOW

[rpiper138]

The traction control/stability control is useless in snow, especially in a rear wheel drive car. It prevents you from using power to combat understeer.

I also get a kick out of the comment about staying home in those conditions is the only way to really stay safe. There were no 'conditions' in this video. Maybe growing up in Canada (average over 90" of snow/year) skews my opinion a little, but the snow in this video is negligable.

I think firemedic9514 is right. It's what you are used to.

[MinecraftAventures]

@rpiper138 Traction controle can be useless in some condition but ESP ( Electronic Stability Program ) can save your life .

[rpiper138]

@MinecraftAventures: I have never been a fan of letting electronics take the place of driver skill because I work in the electronics/software industry and know that there are defects in every system.

The only time that ESC is likely to save your life is when you are driving beyond your skill level for the conditions. I currently drive a 2011 vehicle with no TCS/ESC and 350hp/650lb ft of torque and don't find the lack of driver aids to be a problem. My last vehicle had both and was too invasive.

[MinecraftAventures]

@rpiper138 Your points his right , but , don't tell me that you can pump the brake quickly than ABS , but like you said , if you are a good driver with a lot of experience , you will be better than the electronic because the ESP doesn't think , it analyse the information so sometime for driver with a bit of less experience it can help . For me I drive a 2012 ML 350 bluetec and I keep the ESP on because it can help you some time.

[rpiper138]

@MinecraftAventures I love ABS and am the first to admit that it does a better job of threshold braking than I ever have. Stability control, on the other hand, has prevented me from applying throttle to negate understeer. This was a big factor in my latest vehicle purchase. I was looking for a heavy duty 4x4 diesel pickup with no tcs/esc.

Since I am from Canada I am reluctant to turn on 4wd until the vehicle won't move, so most of the winter I stay in 2wd and rely on the lsd.

[rpiper138]

@MinecraftAventures: Nice car btw. How do you like the bluetec diesel?

[MinecraftAventures]

@rpiper138 Thanks , The ML Diesel is the Best car than I never drive ., I was own a ML 500 2007 and it was good but compare to the diesel model it's just so much smoother . My tank only 1 time with the Baltic compare to 2-3-4 time with the gas model ( ok it was a V8 but , for me , it was a huge difference ) . For the difference of price , the Baltic is a lot better ( I tow a trailer like a beast). It don't same powerful but it has a lot of torque (240hp and 455 lb-ft ) .

[rpiper138]

@MinecraftAventures The diesels are really made for towing and you will probably find the flatter power curve to be easier to handle in slippery situations. Half way through the model year, they increased the power on my current truck to 800 lb ft. I don't have a dually and don't find it underpowered, so it was worth 150 lb ft to avoid urea injection. The low end power is great when it gets slippery, but I need a tire upgrade. OEM all terrains are horrible.

[MinecraftAventures]

@rpiper138 Ya I know that diesel are made for pulling , My wife owned a 2007 GL Diesel with the air suspension , I tow an 24 foot caravan and it handle pretty well ( in term of spec , i could tow it with my ml to but I prefere to use the gl for the suspension and anyway the electric brake are on it ) ( I know I know , I should have the Gl but ... My wife is leading hehe... But now she is jalous cause I have a 2012 and she have a 2007 :P

[Teknologix2010]

As soon as it snows, I'm out skidding my car in a remote location i.e. empty parking lot. THEN you actually LEARN something if you start slow and practice a bit. Also thats a BMW1 = rwd... Half of the cars now are also FWD, which all works quite differently from rwd I'd say, especially in shite weather. But if people would just practice a bit, they'd not be so scared when they do have to drive. And won't be such an annoyance to others who do know how to drive in the snow and want to be on time.

[millsaab]

Rick Wakeman !

[firemedic9514]

come live in Western New York for year, we'll turn you into a great winter time driver.

[wo0dy1]

im yet to see a vid by a 'pro' giving tips in a normal car... last 1 i saw was giving tips in a 4x4.. not all cars have traction control, 4 wheel drive.. but the rest of these tips were great thx..

[lionelfirn]

Low revs and the correct speed for the conditions is the vital thing. People can get the wrong idea if you say a high gear and not keep the speed down.

[bigguychappers]

low revs high gear?

[typekzdanovej]

lol, take an cheap car and then you will see how different is driving in the snow :))))

[jokerdude49]

he nows what he is doing when it comes arond 2 this kinda driving but ill tell u 1 think its not a good idear 2 get the snow of wid a brush like scratch his paint work

[Hawkiewings]

Thats where it all starts. Cars with clear windows are better able to see that early breaking is needed