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Re: Sliding on ice
In article <Eric.Lorenzo-0211951350440001@tele-anx0141.colorado.edu> Eric.Lorenzo@Colorado.EDU (Eric Lorenzo) writes:
>From: Eric.Lorenzo@Colorado.EDU (Eric Lorenzo)
>Subject: Sliding on ice
>Date: Thu, 02 Nov 1995 13:50:44 -0700
> I'm very conservative driving when it's snowing and especially
>when the roads are icy, like it was last night out here. I drive a 3dr
>'90 Integra that has ABS and all season tires. Coming up to an intersection
>at a speed that was barely registering on my speedometer, I started to
>brake, the ABS kicked in, but I kept sliding forward. It's such a
>helpless feeling, but at least most people out here are smart enough to
>make sure cross traffic is stopped before going with their green light.
> I know ABS doesn't do squat on ice, but I'm wondering, short of
>getting studded tires, if there are any thing to do to help stop the car
>from sliding. Since the ABS is pumping anyway, I wouldn't think releasing
>the brakes and applying it would make a difference.
> The winters out here don't merit studded tires in my opinion
>especially since i never drive up into the mountains. The snow and ice will
>probably be gone in a week, that's how it usually goes.
>Eric
>--
>Eric Lorenzo
>Eric.Lorenzo@Colorado.EDU
><http://rintintin.colorado.edu:10000/>
Eric ABS is good because it gives you a controlled skid instead of an
uncontrolled skid. With ABS you can slam on the brakes on ICE and not spin a
180 degree turn, because your tires are prevented from locking.
During the winter of 93-94, ABS saved me from a likely crash. It had'nt
snowed for about a week, but at the intersection there were huge snowbanks
which had slightly melted the day before and refroze on the street the next
morning :( I was traveling less than 2 mph and my car started to slide
toward the intersection; but thanks to ABS I was able to stop on the stop line
with no disaster. Later that morning some kid in a Jeep Wrangler slid through
the same intersection and hit a school bus. Fortunately there were no serious
injuries.
I hear that there's a new tire out called "Blizzack", which is supposed to
perform greatly on "wet ice" and snow. Look in back of any of the popular car
mags for info..
Trev
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