I wish i had stability/trac control!

[BlackCamSe]

As many of you on the east coast may know, the weather the last few days has been very icy. And this is the first time Ive ever experienced driving on ice/snow. I must say it was fun getting the car loose in a parking lot. But on the way home from the grocery store with my grand father (i was driving) theres this sharp right turn we have to take to get into our sub division. So i lightly hit my breaks to slow down and nothing happened! I turned the wheel, nothing happened! (i was only doing about 10-15MPH. The car proceeded to go striate, jumped the curb, and slid in between two trees. This whole thing has me shaken up a bit. I'm just glad it was a low curb and the car wasn't damaged and that me and my grandfather were OK. Would stability control have helped me at all in this situation?

[Dana_15]

Sounds like you need to practice driving on snow/ice. Going 10-15 mph into a sharp turn on ice is too fast. I doubt VSC would have helped you much in that situation.

[SimplyACruiser]

Driving slower would have helped prevent that situation.

[DrewsCam]

yea you need more practise driving in the snow, I have driven this car in many storms and it handles fine

[BlackCamSe]

yea, it was a rookie mistake. I usually hit the breaks to slow down right before the turn. So when i did that, the car kept going. I was like. Oh shit

[Dana_15]

Originally Posted by XxTrD_ToYoTaxX

yea, it was a rookie mistake. I usually hit the breaks to slow down right before the turn. So when i did that, the car kept going. I was like. Oh shit

We all have to learn some time. Braking into a turn generally results in what happened to you. Practice in an empty parking lot. Be safe out there! When I owned a car (long time ago) I would brake and then lightly accelerate into the turn....

[Yazovets]

Well since you don't have VSC but you DO have a V6 engine, that means you had the 6 speed tranny. Try downshifting into first gear to slow down next time. That can help to slow you down without locking up the tires so quick.

I drove my Camry SE V6 last night and I was very pleased. But it's wearing Michelin X-Ice tires. The Camry is certainly not the ideal winter vehicle however, there are several factors which make it very good:

1) FWD is superior in the winter. Pulling a car forward is better than pushing it with RWD. BMWs with RWD can't even get going from a stoplight in the winter - the rear-end just comes out on one side and that's it. No, I'm not biased against them - I learned to drive on a 330i with DSC3 and winter tires.

2) The Camry has a long wheelbase. The longer the wheelbase regardless of the vehicle type or weight, the harder it is to spin it. Cotinuing this thought...if you had a small car like the Smart, Mini Cooper or Yaris, when you spin, you'll spin about your axis like a flipped coin.

3) Winter tires. Even if you can't afford proper tires like the Michelin X-Ice, Bridgestone Blizzak, Toyo SnowProxes, etc, tires from Canadian Tire for $60 a piece are still better than all-seasons. It's all about having softer rubber that doesn't freeze up when it becomes -10.

4) Traction control systems (i.e. VSC). This is certainly useful to control wheelspin and make sure you take a slippery turn in an arc and that you can get going from a standstill. This can also make sure you stop in a straight line when you brake. However, the most effective way to stop is buy stopping earlier with more control on the pedal rather than stabbing it at the last moment. In the winter at higher speeds, you will be able to control a stopping car better before the ABS kicks in.

[Tobeit]

Did you already get some good winter tires? If you have no grip - nothing helps on ice.

[BlackCamSe]

Originally Posted by Yazovets

Well since you don't have VSC but you DO have a V6 engine, that means you had the 6 speed tranny. Try downshifting into first gear to slow down next time. That can help to slow you down without locking up the tires so quick.

Winter tires. Even if you can't afford proper tires like the Michelin X-Ice, Bridgestone Blizzak, Toyo SnowProxes, etc, tires from Canadian Tire for $60 a piece are still better than all-seasons. It's all about having softer rubber that doesn't freeze up when it becomes -10.

.

Thats the ONLY way i drive the car. Lol. I never put it in drive. So ill try that next time. Usually the winters in jersey aren't that bad, so we have no need to invest in winter tires.

[camryguru]

Originally Posted by Tobeit

Did you already get some good winter tires? If you have no grip - nothing helps on ice.

+1. only thing i can really see helping on ice would be chains. i live in NC and i hear the yankees that moved here always say that we drive so slow in the snow, we dont know how to drive. and how they're 4x4 truck can drive it no problem. In NC we dont get too many snow storms, we get hella ice storms. you can drive with as many tires turning as you want, as soon as they all hit ice your azz is done.

[BlackCamSe]

Originally Posted by Dana_15

We all have to learn some time. Braking into a turn generally results in what happened to you. Practice in an empty parking lot. Be safe out there! When I owned a car (long time ago) I would brake and then lightly accelerate into the turn....

i actually was dicking around in the parking lot for a little bit. Man those e-break slides are fun! Its hard to do when the e-break is on the floor tho. Next time its snowy out ill try breaking and turning in the lot.

[CamrySExxx]

whats "striate" mean?


Anyways take it easy when driving in the snow. Take some extra time dont rush it. Did you abs kick in at least?

Snow covered parking lot+e-brake = 10 minute of fun when you have nothing to do :P

[nuchieboy]

lol me and my buddi went out in his audi quattro last night...that thing is like a snow mobile...im to afraid to take my car out cauz i dont want some asshole hitting my new car

[Redline_Me]

We have gotten about 20" of snow since Friday and it's snowing now and tonight we are expecting ice so i will be investing in some snow tires for the front soon. I drove my car in the snow and it's not bad and it rocks that it's 5spd because it helps going down hill. I don't wanna drive it in the snow because you never know who's coming around the corner but i have to get to work so i have no option.

[MrObvious]

Wow learn to drive. Our weather has been poop lately too and lemme give you a few pointers:

1) Easy there killer. If the roads aren't clear don't try to do the speed limit. You'll probably be stuck doing 20 the whole way on main roads and like 50 on the highways if it is clear.
2) Brake like you're a grandma. You ever see old people drive? That's how you stop. I recommend doing at least 50% of your stopping really far back from the stop sign then just creep to the stop.
3) Leave a 5 carlength following distance between you and the car in front at slow speeds, and even more at faster speeds on the highway.
4) Give yourself time. If you're running late, you're running late. Your life is more important than being late.
5) It takes practice to get going from a stop. Just take it easy. Ironically I let my wheels spin a little to give me a little momentum, release, then slowly take off.