Driving in Snow???

Slow down. Tons of room between you and the guy ahead of you. When you break "tap" them don't "ride" them. Did I say slow down?

Be safe.

[Opusfxd]

From my memory:
Crack a window, snow sounds crunchy when driving on it - ice is silent.
When sliding, look where you want to go, steer in that direction, no brakes, no gas.
4WD slide just as good as 2 WD
Pumping the brakes aren't anywhere near as good as putting them at maximum threshold braking (need to try this one for best effectiveness)
And most importantly, clean your entire windshield!

[macpappy]

Just a curious question for all you northerners since its been a while since I lived anywhere that actually had snow. Are studded snow tires still legal? Do the still sell snow chains?

This isn't a solution or an option for a tourist but I lived in Washington state for six years back in the dark days of the 1970s and learned to hate snow chains (or those plastic and nylon strap things with a passion.) The following winter I learned from a neighbor who was a state trooper to put 4 studded tires on a rear wheel drive vehicle and that provided more traction. If you had front wheel drive back then, then you only had to put them on the front.

[Mark C]

I'll jump on the tire band wagon. You need more than just good tread, you need all season tires. My car has high performance summer tires that don't do well when the temp drops below ~40 degrees, even on dry roads, let alone snow. When it's snowing, I take the wife's car.

I'm not sure about legality of studs or chains, but I know a few people who swear by winter tires. One guy says his Blizzaks work nearly as well on snow as his Potenzas do in the summer. Granted he's still driving more cautiously in the snow, but it's still a significant difference.

[AAlmeter]

Originally Posted by macpappy

Just a curious question for all you northerners since its been a while since I lived anywhere that actually had snow. Are studded snow tires still legal? Do the still sell snow chains?

This isn't a solution or an option for a tourist but I lived in Washington state for six years back in the dark days of the 1970s and learned to hate snow chains (or those plastic and nylon strap things with a passion.) The following winter I learned from a neighbor who was a state trooper to put 4 studded tires on a rear wheel drive vehicle and that provided more traction. If you had front wheel drive back then, then you only had to put them on the front.

Depends on the locale.

Some areas require tire chains. Most areas ban them.

Most areas allow studs during the winter.

Your trooper friend is correct...but studded tires and tire chains really aren't necessary (or legal) for the area he's going to. As long as you've got some meat on your all seasons, you'll be OK equipment wise.

[Zipper]

Originally Posted by webjunkie

all wheel drive means that moving is a bit easier; stopping is a different story.

I think this is a pretty important one to remember. Just because you can get going easily doesn't mean you can stop. Sometimes people get a false sense of security when they can get up to speed without feeling the tires spin out, and they don't know how slick everything really is.

Everyone else has been repeating the other really good stuff though. And you definitely won't need chains or studs in WNY

Do not get over confident, period.

[IBQTEE1]

Originally Posted by shilala

I "test" the road conditions a lot. When I'm going real slow I'll overbrake to see just how much traction I have.
My Envoy is 4 wheel drive, so it goes real well, but I always try to remember that 4 wheel drive does NOT mean 4 wheel stop.
I've never had trouble getting going. Stopping is where the problems tend to crop up.

Know what your ABS feels like when stopping too. Most people have never had to use them and when they engage it is a weird feeling.