The Physics of Winter Driving: How to Handle Snow and Ice on the Road

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The discussion centers around the challenges of driving in snowy conditions, particularly the experience of getting stuck on a steep, icy hill. The original poster recounts a frustrating evening where they were unable to navigate home due to unexpected snowfall and icy roads, leading to a tow truck rescue. They express a need for a four-wheel drive vehicle to better handle such conditions, as their current car struggles on steep, icy terrain. The conversation touches on the inadequacies of local road treatment methods, with the use of ash instead of sand or salt, which may worsen traction. There are also humorous exchanges about the difficulties of winter driving and the social dynamics of being stuck, including the unexpected camaraderie formed with other stranded drivers. Overall, the thread highlights the unpredictability of winter weather and the importance of being prepared for driving in such conditions.
  • #31
Stuck in the snow Again!

My name is Amy, and I guess by the name it tells you I’m a girl. I live in Central Vermont, and went to school in Michigan so I had my share of winter driving and got stuck way too many times. I work in a rather professional office so I wear a lot of skirts and dresses. I have a 2003 Mustang with manual transmission and a 2006 Mustang with automatic transmission. On this particular night I had my 2006 Mustang, it has summer tires on it, and this was the first time in the snow with it. I had left work about 7pm, we had a 3 inch mixture of snow and ice on the roads and cars, it was still snowing lightly. Actually due to my being somewhat of an air head I had to let the car warm up about 15 minutes because I neglected to put a snow brush and ice scraper in the car. So after warming the car up, I struggled to get the car our of my parking space and out of the parking lot, and managed to make my way to the entrance ramp to the interstate, a normal 10 minute drive which this night took about 30 minutes. The entrance ramp was clogged with cars trying to make it up, so I thought that I would drive to my tennis club to burn a little time and use the ladies room because by now I had to go sooooo badly. The club is located in a part of an industrial complex, I turned onto the road leading to the club, and was not picky as to where to park which was a parallel parking space in front of the building, only to find the place closed. The area where my club is, is not widely traveled and you somewhat have to go out of your way to find it, and also in a bad area as my cell phone could not get a signal. Once back in the car I found myself stuck so badly, spinning my wheels helplessly. Not that I mind being stuck, because for me I feel sexy and helpless spinning my wheels in my Mustangs, and you often meet some real cute hunks who are more than gladly to rescue the “damsel in distress”, however I was really not going anywhere, and I was getting super frantic because of my need to use the ladies room at this time and I was rather desperate by now. I think I was there for a total of two hours to 2 and ½ hours and must have been on a lot of ice also because I was not going anywhere, wheels just spinning and spinning, when a plow operator who plows the club parking lot came by and helped me out of my situation. I finally made it home about two hours or so later. My old Mustang is a manual transmission, with all season. I usually was able to get around most of the time, got stuck a many times, and was usually able to rock it out, occasionally I would need a push, and this is the first year though with an automatic. Of course having to use the ladies room as badly and desperately as I had to and not being very picky about finding a better parking location and I think being as frantic as I was because of the need to go I believe did not help, because I am sure that I nailed it at first trying to get out to find somewhere else to go, and I just dug into the snow and ice pretty deep creating myself some ruts of my own. My poor skirt though.
The first few times getting stuck, and most of the time, I was the only one stuck it was pretty embarrassing, being the only one in a flat parking lot spinning your wheels, however over the years I have come to enjoy being stuck in the snow and ice, and that seems to happen every time it snows because there is an advantage to being an attractive female and that is a lot of cute guys show up to help you out. I cannot afford snow tires so I drive right now with the all seasons with me 2003 Mustang and summer tires on the 2006 Mustang that came with the car and you really are stuck with those.
I must say this night I was really not thinking straight by then seeing the club closed and having to desperately use the ladies room. You must know how you get frantic and panic, when in that situation I guess I just got stuck worse my trying to punch the gas instead of taking it slow and steady.
 

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