What makes the perfect Winter car

[ALFAitalia]

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Edit....missed that someone had already said that!

 

[Pontoneer]

As an aside I once had to drive my SL (10" wide rear wheels) up a gentle slope on wet grass and quickly came to a halt. To my surprise putting the gearbox into 'W' totally transformed it, and I drove to the top without any problem. '80s technology to the rescue

I have also driven it on snow a couple of times after being caught out by the weather while away at meetings. That was rather more nerve-wracking, but I did get home OK both times (over 100 miles in one case).

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My W126 500SEL was great in slippery conditions , thanks to the standard LSD it would keep going where others failed .

Similarly my first W124 300TE which had the optional ASD

 

[Pontoneer]

Something small, light and cheap with FWD and skinny tyres is pretty handy for winter ... just like BTB Junior's Citroen C1, which I drove in the snow this morning

We had a series of air cooled Beetles through the sixties and seventies.

They would go anywhere , start first time in any conditions, once warmed up the hot air that came down the sill channels would set your ankles on fire , and no danger of the block getting cracked because you forgot to check your antifreeze .

 

[MSG2004]

From my own experience. In an auto, the tyres make or break any car in snow/ice conditions.
Many years ago after we move to a new home, the 2nd year there was a mass of unexpected snow that blighted se London
I manged to get home where others were stuck but on our road as I slowed and stopped in order not to crash into a tree on our drive, the car refused to move. A guy helped us push the car but it was a no.

A few days later, I got Conti Winter Contact tyres on the rear only - my car came with wider tyres on the back, making it more difficult to grip snow/etc. The new tyres drove better than the Jeep Grand Cherokee a proper 4x4. The snow was around for two weeks on side roads and it was worth every penny of the 300 I paid. I kept the tyres on through the summer and sold the car about 18/24 months later.

I did tell the car insurance people re winter tyres.

 

[rf065]

I did tell the car insurance people re winter tyres.

You put winter tyres on the rear only and your insurance company was happy with that?

 

[Pontoneer]

You put winter tyres on the rear only and your insurance company was happy with that?

I bought a car so equipped .

Cold weather tyres are one of the options listed in the owners manual .

There is no need to inform the insurer .

 

[rf065]

I bought a car so equipped .

Cold weather tyres are one of the options listed in the owners manual .

There is no need to inform the insurer .

Fitting 2 cold weather tyres on the rear to avoid getting stuck is sheer lunacy when your front summer tyres cannot steer or brake. Try asking Costco to fit 2 all season tyres to a car with summer tyres and they will not do it.

 

[MSG2004]

I bought a car so equipped .

Cold weather tyres are one of the options listed in the owners manual .

There is no need to inform the insurer .

You are right but the best practice IMHO is tell the insurance guys. Though I was with Aviva most likely at the time, it is worth telling them. It's often FoC.
The speed rating was slightly lower than the all-weather/summer tyres but within the limits of my car, a c class Avantgarde.

I like to keep on top of things and don;t really trust the insurance companies as I worry about their get out clauses, just in case.
Took a few mins.

 

[MSG2004]

You put winter tyres on the rear only and your insurance company was happy with that?

Yes
I do recall the fast-fit outfit trying it on with me by saying "oh, you need 4 tyres sir..."

 

[rf065]

Yes
I do recall the fast-fit outfit trying it on with me by saying "oh, you need 4 tyres sir..."

Well, apparently not illegal in the UK, but it is in Sweden and should be here too.

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[MSG2004]

Well, apparently not illegal in the UK, but it is in Sweden and should be here too.

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I know it was not "illegal" in the UK, hence the action taken by me.
Along with what you said, drivers should not be allowed to smoke when driving and/or have unrestrained pets in the car.

 

[Bellow]

Along with what you said, drivers should not be allowed to smoke when driving

You'll change your mind sharpish when you encounter a nicotine deprived driver.

 

[Pontoneer]

Fitting 2 cold weather tyres on the rear to avoid getting stuck is sheer lunacy when your front summer tyres cannot steer or brake. Try asking Costco to fit 2 all season tyres to a car with summer tyres and they will not do it.

It can help with traction moving off on an uphill gradient ( personally I keep a set of chains in the boot , never had to use them ) and you just drive to the conditions with standard tyres .

I have never bought cold weather tyres , and replaced the ones that were on the car when bought within a few weeks , with standard tyres .

 

[MSG2004]

You'll change your mind sharpish when you encounter a nicotine deprived driver.

In the scheme of things, not at all. I prefer to see around me people behind the steering who
would be in a better position to control their car rather than trying to drive with smoke in their eyes and
the risk of a fire stick falling between their legs.

 

[Bellow]

In the scheme of things, not at all. I prefer to see around me people behind the steering who
would be in a better position to control their car rather than trying to drive with smoke in their eyes and
the risk of a fire stick falling between their legs.

You'll have a view on drinking while driving, head back, eyes pointing at the headlining while quaffing a scalding hot drink too I imagine. It is that that needs to be banned before smoking.
But I can reasonably I think, guess that you are not a smoker and have little understanding of nicotine cravings and even less respect for the rights of others to indulge in what you choose not to.

 

[MSG2004]

You'll have a view on drinking while driving, head back, eyes pointing at the headlining while quaffing a scalding hot drink too I imagine. It is that that needs to be banned before smoking.
But I can reasonably I think, guess that you are not a smoker and have little understanding of nicotine cravings and even less respect for the rights of others to indulge in what you choose not to.

"even less respect of others to indulge what you choose not to."

FYI, I'm the PM and never have been the PM of England. I'm not the one that banned smoking in public places.
I'm not the person that makes the rules but like anyone and everyone, I am entitled to my views.
Your claim that I have "little understanding of nicotine cravings," I can easily apply that to illegal drugs and excess drinking.
Yes, it is against the law to drink/drive etc but up wearing of seat belts was not until about 35/40 years ago and nor was using a handheld
mobile phone etc.

I'm all in favour of new rules that may make driving safer for everyone
inc pedestrians and other road users.


I'll end this discussion from my side by asking you:
I'm happy to move with the times re new rules/regualtions that enhance the public's road safety, are you?

 

[Bellow]

Your claim that I have "little understanding of nicotine cravings,"

That'll be a 'no' then.

I'm happy to move with the times re new rules/regualtions that enhance the public's road safety, are you?

Implicit in your question is an assumption that banning smoking while driving would increase road safety when there is no evidence to support it or any reasonable argument that it would when the nature of nicotine craving and its effect on a person's temper is considered.
Nothing said by you on drinking (non alcoholic) while driving - I can guess why.

 

[Dryce]

That'll be a 'no' then.

Implicit in your question is an assumption that banning smoking while driving would increase road safety

Banning driving while driving might be effective though.

My view is that smoking while driving isn't so much an issue - it's lighting up while driving where I've seen smokers do crazy stuff.

 

[Bellow]

Banning driving while driving might be effective though.

My view is that smoking while driving isn't so much an issue - it's lighting up while driving where I've seen smokers do crazy stuff.

I'm not pretending it is totally safe - the aspect you allude to being the principle issue but at least leaves eyes forward not skyward as drinking does and vaping (ridiculed as it is) is safer in that regard. The point that I am making though is for those with no experience of smoking and therefor no understanding of just how powerful nicotine craving is and the deleterious effect on patience it has. Trully, it has to be experienced to be believed and those lacking that experience are in no position to imply that banning smoking while driving can be safer. It won't be and by some margin it will worsen it. Only those who understand a subject should be legislating - or calling for legislation.

 

[BIGDOG]

I had a ball in 1982 with a fiat strada.
Went everywhere and faster than everyone else.
At the time the exhaust had detached from the downpipes and the noise and flames were impressive.