TVR + Winter
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Discussion

WildfireS3

Original Poster:

9,945 posts

280 months

Thursday 27th November 2003
quotequote all
Facing my first winter driving the Tiv. I was thinking of going the public transport route when it starts snowing.

Am I worrying over nothing? Or should I be taking it off the road soon?

This is the first Tiv I've owned as well as the first RWD car.

chimhunter

906 posts

277 months

Thursday 27th November 2003
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Had an S2000 last year. Considerably less torque than the Chim and that was a nightmare on the snow. I'm definitely not driving the Chim on snow and ice but appart from that it's going to be used throughout the winter.

Rob

burriana500

16,556 posts

282 months

Thursday 27th November 2003
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If it's been snowing but the roads are clear then no probs, if it's icy, take the same care as you would in say a BMW, if snow on the ground... don't worry, you won't move far enough to get into trouble!

squirrelz

1,186 posts

299 months

Thursday 27th November 2003
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I was going to take the Tiv out this morning, but when I had considerable difficulty keeping myself 'shiny side up' when bringing the wheelie bin back from the roadside, I decided discretion to be the better course and came to work in the Pug.

I'd rather be an alive wuss, than a dead macho man

craigalsop

1,991 posts

296 months

Thursday 27th November 2003
quotequote all
Personally I wouldn't take my Chimaera out in the snow (no problem with rain though...)
OTOH, last year I was driving in my Subaru in the snow (and thinking how slippy it was), and met a Chimaera coming the other way - so it is possible, and some people do it....

If you had some spare wheels, you could put some snow tires on - bet that would be fun.
Hmmm that's not a bad idea - I have some spare wheels, wonder how much snow tires cost...?

WildfireS3

Original Poster:

9,945 posts

280 months

Thursday 27th November 2003
quotequote all
I have my winter wheels on at the moment. S1 type rims with S02s. My Summer wheels are S2/3 type with P6000 on. The P6000s will be going on ebay when summer comes round, so I can get some Toyos.

Just wondering as I don't have another car to drive. The minis are

a). Off the road
b). In London
c). Don't go out in the rain let alone the snow.

kojak69

4,547 posts

281 months

Thursday 27th November 2003
quotequote all
If it is snowing. I wouldn't even think about it. You've also not got as much ground clearance if it snows heavy. I'd take another car or the bus.

GreenV8S

31,008 posts

312 months

Thursday 27th November 2003
quotequote all
Snow/ice isn't a problem unless you're trying to negotiate hills. To be honest it's extremely rare these days to actually have ice or snow on the roads and most roads are cleared within an hour or two. I quite look forward to a nice bit of snow and, as somebody put it so well, lazy armfulls of opposite lock at walking pace.

gideonr

64 posts

301 months

Thursday 27th November 2003
quotequote all
Did have to use the Chimaera in the snow last winter (typical - other car was in for MOT on one of the few days there was snow on the roads).
I can't say I recommend it, had a great deal of trouble trying to travel with the car parallel to the road. Although note the side roads I was negotiating did involve slopes in all directions, on the flat it is probably ok.If the situation arises again, I'll get the bus.
I suspect wide tyres and relatively low weight are the opposite of what you need in snow, there is not enough pressure to get through to the tarmac.



>> Edited by gideonr on Thursday 27th November 12:29

>> Edited by gideonr on Thursday 27th November 12:30

simpo two

92,577 posts

293 months

Thursday 27th November 2003
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Second all of the above. Torque and wide tyres mean you'll break away in an instant. Even if you can make progress in a straight line and/or use your rally skills to keep it on the road, I don't fancy your chances of getting up a hill if there's any traffic to negotiate. The prospect of slithering into something or somebody even at 5mph isn't worth it, IMHO.

WildfireS3

Original Poster:

9,945 posts

280 months

Thursday 27th November 2003
quotequote all
No Hills on the way to work. All roads are A roads with the occasional stretch of motorway, so I reckon they'll be gritted. Just don't fancy travelling sidewards down the road. May have to try and borrow a mates car or I thin it will be the bus and train for ol' Wildfire here. Just take the keys to work with me and hibernate the car under a cover until the snow passes. Although I do have to drive to London in late Jan. That is if I can get out of my drive.

.Mark

11,104 posts

304 months

Thursday 27th November 2003
quotequote all
It's OK, I've done it. Although the roads were reasonably quiet Only once did it get a bit sideways but being extra careful you shouldn't have a problem - just remember the old addage, drive as if there is an egg under the accelerator. I found it particularly useful to be in a higher gear than I normally would.

And then wait. Wait until you find a clear wide space and begin to play

fish

4,063 posts

310 months

Thursday 27th November 2003
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I drove the Tuscan in 3 inches of snow...now that was fun

Terminator

2,421 posts

312 months

Thursday 27th November 2003
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GreenV8S said:
To be honest it's extremely rare these days to actually have ice or snow on the roads and most roads are cleared within an hour or two.
You obviously weren't on the M11 last January 30th, Pete




GreenV8S

31,008 posts

312 months

Thursday 27th November 2003
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Terminator said:

You obviously weren't on the M11 last January 30th, Pete






True, I'm glad to say! But that was pretty unusual wasn't it, and I think anyone there would have been stuck regardless of what car they were in. I did very nearly get stuck on the M1 that day when it all iced up, the steeper hills must be nearly 1:100 and it was touch and go whether I was going to get to the top. Luckily there was a bit of a tail wind! But that's the closest I've come to getting stuck, and I drive the Tiv all year round. It is definitely harder going in the TVR than in normal cars, and I wouldn't blame anyone for playing safe. But so far I haven't had any problems except on the very worst days, and even here I've been able to get through by being very very carefull.

Byff

4,427 posts

289 months

Thursday 27th November 2003
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I wouldn't worry too much Chris - last year I used the Cerb all year round and there was only two days of snow.

When it was snowing, just accelerate very carefully and allow yourself more room than usual to stop. Didn't have one scarey moment other than when I was provoking it in the carpark.

N17 TVR

2,937 posts

299 months

Thursday 27th November 2003
quotequote all
.Mark said:
- just remember the old addage, drive as if there is an egg under the accelerator


Please remember he DOESN'T mean hard boiled.......

(and don't try it at home)

RCA

1,769 posts

296 months

Thursday 27th November 2003
quotequote all
GreenV8S said:
I quite look forward to a nice bit of snow and, as somebody put it so well, lazy armfulls of opposite lock at walking pace.


Couldn't agree more!! snow is so much fun in a TVR, just be careful!

.Mark

11,104 posts

304 months

Thursday 27th November 2003
quotequote all
N17 TVR said:

.Mark said:
- just remember the old addage, drive as if there is an egg under the accelerator



Please remember he DOESN'T mean hard boiled.......

(and don't try it at home)


WildfireS3

Original Poster:

9,945 posts

280 months

Thursday 27th November 2003
quotequote all
Cheers Byff.

It's ok, they're all the same to me. (Allergic to eggs, so never go near them)