Snow Driving Tips

[Noodle-Pulp]

As much as I love my Merc, I didnt realise until tonight just how utterly useless they are on packed snow and ice.
I couldnt even get out my drive without skidding and going sideways.
Changed my mind and eventually got it back in. And there it will stay until its all gone.

If you get out Dave, let me know - I had to abandon my c coupe in SE23 this morning.. nice hill there..

EDIT: just noticed the posting date... oopsie..ah well - it still applies!

 

[steve333]

If you get out Dave, let me know - I had to abandon my c coupe in SE23 this morning.. nice hill there..

EDIT: just noticed the posting date... oopsie..ah well - it still applies!

Scary on the roads around surrey today,had to go to woking this morning,not to bad getting there at 9am but after the deluge of snow the return home at 1.30pm took me an hour & 40 minutes(normally 30 minutes max).Got stuck about 5 times but the good old public came to the rescue each time,rear wheel drive mercs & snow/ice just don't go,so the cls won't be going out again until the roads around here improve....

 

[rf065]

,rear wheel drive mercs & snow/ice just don't go,so the cls won't be going out again until the roads around here improve....

Got that wrong mate, rear wheel drive mercs & summer tyres on ice & snow just don't go! Get decent tyres & the snow ain't a problem!

Russ

 

[jimkelly]

i must support that last post, last year my old e220 estate was appauling in the snow so have read previous posts and taken the liberty of convincing Mrs to by me a set of winter tyres for Xmas.
New Nexus tyres fitted last week all in was £300. What a difference! Made a post and even found someone local to donate a spare set of rims. Now driving about fairly happily in compacted snow following our 5ins whitening today.
For those that take its advice and help this forum is a god send. Thanks to all you hardcore merc heads.

 

[Cabe]

I am a great beleiver in there is no such thing as bad weather, only poorly dressed people. This extends to cars as well, shoe them right (and dont be a muppet) and you are golden.

Obviously that's not what you tell your boss when he wants you to come in on a Monday......SNOW DAY!

 

[bpsorrel]

Absolutely! In Russia, rear drive cars have no problem at all, all cars wear winter tyres and drive around almost as normal. Can't beat the winter rubber!

 

[steve333]

Got that wrong mate, rear wheel drive mercs & summer tyres on ice & snow just don't go! Get decent tyres & the snow ain't a problem!

Russ

Agreed,i've got summer tyres(this debate has been covered before in other recent threads),quetion is do i buy a second set of wheels for winter tyres that might be used a few times each year at a cost of££££?(my current staggered amg's were £1685 new & the tyres £850 the set)or do i accept the fact that maybe a week or 2 each winter the cls is better off sat on the drive?

 

[ianrandom]

Just a set of steel wheels shouldnt cost the earth if they're available in CLS dimensions? Or some rubbish alloys. Shame to spoil the looks of a car like the CLS but its not for long.
And yeah i've always preferred rear wheel drive. Took me 8hrs to get from Reading to Birmingham yesterday, front drive car often spinning away next to me, sliding towards me, stuck in front of me. Trusty old 2 ton W126 got me there no probs, did me pround. I have normal tyres, but the rear are brand new. Also i quite enjoy the snow driving anyway.
Didnt notice any Mercs stuck. Mainly new Peuguot type hatchbacks, anything sporty etc. Felt very sorry for a couple in a Porsche. It just slid sideways whatever they did but i couldnt get out to help

 

[steve333]

Just a set of steel wheels shouldnt cost the earth if they're available in CLS dimensions? Or some rubbish alloys. Shame to spoil the looks of a car like the CLS but its not for long.
And yeah i've always preferred rear wheel drive. Took me 8hrs to get from Reading to Birmingham yesterday, front drive car often spinning away next to me, sliding towards me, stuck in front of me. Trusty old 2 ton W126 got me there no probs, did me pround. I have normal tyres, but the rear are brand new. Also i quite enjoy the snow driving anyway.
Didnt notice any Mercs stuck. Mainly new Peuguot type hatchbacks, anything sporty etc. Felt very sorry for a couple in a Porsche. It just slid sideways whatever they did but i couldnt get out to help

Not sure about steel wheels for a cls(yes they would spoil the look of the car as would a set of rubbish alloys),think i will just accept that for maybe a week or 2 each year it will stay sat safe on the drive

 

[Noodle-Pulp]

I discovered today exactly why I NEED to switch off the ESP sometimes!

 

[Charles Morgan]

Based on my experience today and yesterday in my winter tyre shod W124:

Keep a full bottle of high strength washer fluid. In a blizzard the snow build up around the arc of the wiper is enormous. Using lots of washer fluid keeps it shifting off.

Use the auto sensibly. In heavy snow/ ice lock it into second in E mode (or whatever MB now call it) so if you build speed you don't get that sudden loss of traction when it shifts up - it can't!

Keep a huge distance from anyone looking like they are losing traction. A BMW 3 series compact yesterday flayed across two lanes without warning. Or indeed any loony (virtually everybody else). Use your vehicle control to anticipate and avoid.

Everything should be done gently. Even with winter tyres you need to brake gently and reduce your speed long in advance of coming to any stopping point. By modulating speed in advance you should be better equipped to keep going.

Anticipate other people's braking capabilities and allow much more distance pulling out.

Carry a humane killer for BMW M3 drivers stuck at the side of the road having tested their grip to destruction. It's much kinder for everyone really.

 

[Blackman]

I'm sure driving in snow, even with winter tyres, are the times when Merc drivers wish they had a manual, instead of Auto

Makes a world of difference.

 

[Dryce]

I'm sure driving in snow, even with winter tyres, are the times when Merc drivers wish they had a manual, instead of Auto

Ehhhhhhh ..... ???

No actually.

Watched (and then helped) enough FWD manuals having problems. I'm fairly convinced that modern performance FWD diesel with a manual box needs quite a bit more skill than equivalent manual.

 

[Phantom 211]

Taken the easy option - leaving the E320 in the drive and scooting around in my Focus......

 

[Frankie]

RWD,manual and budget tyres at the moment,soon to be changed. I like to leave plenty of distance between other cars,I think so long as I keep the wheels rolling I don't have a problem.By leaving a bigger gap I can keep moving for longer if the car in front stops and also allow myself plenty of distance to stop. Everything is done slower and smoother,I try not to touch the accelerator if I can help it,rely on the car pulling itself along.I've been up hard ice packed hills this way,slowly but steady and without spinning the wheels.
The only problem I have had is a tabletop speedhump right on the junction out of my street,it's flat on top but like glass.Bit tricky getting onto it,stopping and then getting moving again. Need to somehow disable ETS as it seems to stop the car from doing anything.

 

[Phantom 211]

RWD,manual and budget tyres at the moment,soon to be changed. I like to leave plenty of distance between other cars,I think so long as I keep the wheels rolling I don't have a problem.By leaving a bigger gap I can keep moving for longer if the car in front stops and also allow myself plenty of distance to stop. Everything is done slower and smoother,I try not to touch the accelerator if I can help it,rely on the car pulling itself along.I've been up hard ice packed hills this way,slowly but steady and without spinning the wheels.
The only problem I have had is a tabletop speedhump right on the junction out of my street,it's flat on top but like glass.Bit tricky getting onto it,stopping and then getting moving again. Need to somehow disable ETS as it seems to stop the car from doing anything.

If only all drivers drove like that. I had an idiot teenager driving far too close to me in the ice tonight, as I was in the focus gave him a mini Ayrton Senna brake test and after nearly having a heart attack he got the message and backed off !

 

[crockers]

My W203 is nicely tucked up on the drive under a blanket of snow....using Mrs C's Honda Crv...on all weather tyres - no problems but have chains in boot if needed..

 

[Frankie]

If only all drivers drove like that. I had an idiot teenager driving far too close to me in the ice tonight, as I was in the focus gave him a mini Ayrton Senna brake test and after nearly having a heart attack he got the message and backed off !

Work colleague went up the back of the Boss on the way home yesterday, he wasn't amused as he'd already told him to back off

 

[FunkMasterJay]

I was out to meet Andy yesterday morning at Fleet Services. I live at J30 M25. It was clear here when we left. Got through Kent, and as soon as we got to Surrey on the M25, all heaven broke loose.

Had to turn back. It was such an epic journey going home, and my car (and ditch finders) did me proud. Got to Purfleet ok, careful anticipation and progressive driving.

Got to my hill, and thanks to lots of cars stuck at my side road, also hilly, off a hill, I decided to just park on London road.

Today, I decided to go up the next road, and come onto my road by coming DOWN hill. No chance, I just slid to the junction, but I managed to climb with no issues at all. 3rd gear.

I am leaving the car tomorrow, and getting the bus to a local office, instead of my usual M25 / Country Lane journey to Brentwood.

 

[rf065]

I'm sure driving in snow, even with winter tyres, are the times when Merc drivers wish they had a manual, instead of Auto

Makes a world of difference.

Not really, the auto box with winter tyres works well.

Russ