Any experiences in the snow yet?

[V8HSV]

Not driven the HSV in snow yet & I'm off to Halifax area this Friday with snow forecast.

My final destination is about 4 miles of country roads with some steep inclines - should be interesting

[SS UTE]

Drove the ute in the snow last year - well not really drove. More like drive out of the barn (COMPLETELY FLAT FARM YARD) and then sat there. No traction in any gear!!! Pushed it back in,closed the doors and waited until it melted!! Have fun!!

[island boy hsv]

I have not had any and I will be probably taking the Jeep if it does snow. I know UKHSV had an incident in the Alps, he described it as being a passenger and ending up slithering to a stop with no control.

[stevieturbo]

A big heavy car, with large tyres, and a big torquey V8 = zero traction.
An auto may have a bit more of a chance, but if there really is a forecast of heavy snow, and the roads are to be untreated, I would seriously re-consider taking that car.
And dont forget ABS isnt all its cracked up to be on snow or slippy conditions.

Be careful.

[V8HSV]

Thanks gentlemen

With your comments I think I'll take one of the smarts now

[v2hsv]

Will,

Following tips:
- have you got good treads?
- Take a big bag of sharp gravel.
- Remove ABS fuse/relay to disable it.
- De-flate tyres (a few PSI, not too much or you will wipe them out when you hit the tarmac)
- Keep tank above half full
- Take a shovel and if you can get it? Some long strips of the plastic ladder material that you get for lawn protection etc.

And most importantly:

- KEEP the boot OFF the power (yes Will I said OFF!!!)!
(Until you get to a good bit with no obstacles of course!

I always find that I only ever get stuck when some POOFTER hammers that anchors on rather than keep steering.

But if you've got the gear and the snows not 10 feet deep, it just takes a bit of time.

Cheers, (he who loves driving in snow!) Eric

P.S. stay off heavy cambers or you may find yourself parked hard up against the kerb!

[V8HSV]

Good advice Eric but I kind of think that if I stop in the HSV on ice/snow it won't move again except sideways into kerb or ditch. With the smart I should be able to push it or pull it out of trouble. A long time ago there was a joint road test in the Alps, the smart made it the furthest without snow chains. Taking the compressor too so I can deflate the F1's to 18 psi if I have to off tarmac.

[jagsy]

I've driven it in UK snow.

Setting off aint a problem - stopping is ahhhhhhh

[V8HSV]

Not much snow really after all but the smart was fine, did Portsmouth to Ripponden (Nr Halifax) in just under 4 hours so I doubt if the HSV would have got me there ant quicker, might even have been a slower time.

[Dan_the_man]

Lots of snow & ice here

(Am spending xmas with the folks in Kielder in the scottish borders)

Everyone said how crap these things were in the snow but they are worse than I expected, twice I have been stuck on very gentle inclines. The key is to leave them running in gear then jump out and push making sure you can jump back in again as it begins to gain traction.

I usually find a big car park to practice power slides and that has been fun with all my previous cars but with the holden we would get it in to the car park and have to leave it there till the snow thaws in March !!!

One plus is that the ABS seems quite useable on the ice, but I think a smart car is more practical Will !!

[V8HSV]

Quite right Dan, I know I keep going on about the smart but why do I keep driving a car, 6" shorter than the old Mini with only 600cc and voted worst handling car by Top Gear, coz its fun, mind you I fancy anh Aerial Atom now but not in winter.

[Road_Terrorist]

I think they have released the 4WD HSV Coupe now, maybe that will improve things a bit

[V8HSV]

Alas the 4 wheel drive coupe is not destined for these shores plus its auto transmission that cannot accept any power increase on standard