[TriLUG] [way OT] new auto recommendations

[Ric Moore]

On 10/25/2014 10:46 AM, William Sutton wrote:
> yeah..  just remember that studded tire drive (or 4WD or AWD) != studded
> tire stop (or 4WD or AWD) in icy conditions...

Heh, I was stationed in Helena Montana, covering the entire state in my 
job. Montana has three seasons, July, August and Winter. So, the 
majority of my driving was in Winter conditions and often it would me my 
tire tracks that were the first, when snow covered both sides of the 
highway. I knew the road was somewhere in the middle, but not quite, of 
the tree lines! Front wheel drive with 4 studded snows was optimum.

The problem with 4wh drive is when the front tires slide and lose 
steering grip, the back tires will merrily push you straight into a 
ditch, before you can regain control. With just front-wheel drive, the 
front tires not only pull but pull in the direction you want to go. The 
rear wheels just follow, only holding up the back end of the car.

The trick is to speed slightly up in the curves, and slow down just 
enough in the straightaway to leave room, for the speedup again, in the 
next curve. Nothing sudden, as the laws of physics can be your worst 
enemy when you get stupid. No speed limit was nice during July and 
Autumn! :) Ric




-- 
My father, Victor Moore (Vic) used to say:
"There are two Great Sins in the world...
..the Sin of Ignorance, and the Sin of Stupidity.
Only the former may be overcome." R.I.P. Dad.
Linux user# 44256