I'm in PA... and today we got the third part of our snow storm. I was going to work on a major road, it was mainly wet/slush... I was behind three trucks, f150, s10..etc They pull off and go under an underpass, I am continuing on straight... when all of a sudden I start to feel the car slide/drift to the left, I turn the wheel slightly to the right so I don't vear off and go into the ditch... now I am going sideways to the right, about a 25 degree angle... this time I am sliding faster, turn the wheel back to the left faster, same thing happens, at this point I turned the wheel even MORE to the right and for some reason I hit the brakes... That was the idiot move on my part because NOW I am spinning and doing a 360... I am throwing the F bomb since the first left slide... and screaming the "ohhhhhhhhhh F**********K" until I come to a stop. My back end hit the snow bank about 2' 2-1/2' feet of snow, and now I am stuck somewhat, my back end seems to have gone over the snow and I tried to get out by my front wheels were spinning alittle bit, after about 10 seconds I was able to get out. I get out of the car expecting to see the absolute worst, cracked bumper, wheels bent, everything is going through my head at this point... Walk around up to my knees in snow and all turns out to be visually A-OK. Thank God no one was in the right lane or behind me for at least a good 100-150 yards. It all happened so quickly but I don't ever want that to happen again. It felt different that what I normally do, by that I mean I go to empty parking lots and purposely make the car go sideways and try to fishtail so that I can gain control, of course this is at lower speeds and I always seem to get control of it, but this felt different... I don't know if it was because the speed was faster or me being stupid I hit the brake pedal and once I started to spin, I was pushing harder... sort of instict I guess...?

After I get to work I am walking around my car to see any damage, even had my friend look at it and all appears perfectly fine. The ride seemed fine as well, nothing wierd for stearing/alignment/or suspension from what I could "feel" in the car... I even stuck my fingers in the wheel well to make sure that it was the same and it is....


I guess the main point of this thread is that I don't want this to happen again... ever. What can I DO so I know how to react because to me I thought I had control, but then it all went to hell. When you feel the car start to slide out from under you what do you do?

I think someone was sitting on my shoulders because when I went back over and looked. There is guard rail ALL the way from the highway to the main city... only a COUPLE spots do not have guard rail... I just so happend to miss it both ways, from the left and right of where my car went into the snow. I also missed the metal reflectors that are in the ground so you can see the road at night... probably by about 20 feet...

Be safe especially on snow/ice ;-)

Thanks,

-Nigel

 

I used to live in PA and now live in AK. AK is a lot like ND where its perma ice. That isnt as bad as in PA though. I always thought that black ice was worse. Up here I know there will be ice everywhere I go. Also that the temperature is going to be -35 like North Dakota is. But in PA you can drive for miles and not have any ice, then all of a sudden your car loses all traction. Its a very dissorianting feeling

 

I think you did the right things but there were too many variables. No matter how good of a driver you are the road can suprise you sometimes. I'm glad you were not hurt, same for the car. Be careful lol.

 

I'm glad to hear that the story ended up well. That was a scary one I would probably be screaming too!!! lol. In some ways I'm glad i leave in texas and don't have to worry about that stuff. But I do wish i had some snow to play in with my subie!

 

Best advise that can be ever given on winter driving.

 

OMG, if I were in that situation I would SH*T a brick! You got lucky man, real lucky.

 

Just got done telling the story to my dad... He told me I should put it in Netural if that would ever happen again...? Is that something that you should do... I was thinking more along the lines of downshifting so now it is slowing the car down, or if your on Ice and downshift it really doesn't do anything?

Thanks :-)

-Nigel

 

Studded tires always help a bit too.

 

What are good snow/ice tires? Right now I am on the stock 92's... Haven't had a problem with traction until yesterday.

Thanks :-)

-Nigel

 

Putting it into neutral is good, safe advice. Although downshifting can be beneficial - but ONLY if you slip the clutch A LOT so you don't break the tires loose from whatever traction they do have. Letting the clutch out too quickly will have the same effect as you hitting the brake.

 

Neutral may be good in an automatic. I also have a 5sp in my 4wd truck if im on ice i can use the tranny to slow me down. In a manual on ice you may actually speed up if you put it in neutral or push in the clutch. My subbie is the same way.