BS: Car kit for snow

Subject: BS: Car kit for snow
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 17 Dec 10 - 04:52 AM

In my car boot:

Snow shovel
Milenco grip mats
25 kg bag of salt/grit
5 window de-icers
50:50 screen wash solution

Are you ready for the next bout of snow this weekend in the UK?

Subject: RE: BS: Car kit for snow
From: Joe Offer
Date: 17 Dec 10 - 05:04 AM

Don't you have to have tire chains in the UK? Here in the Sierra Nevada foothills, drivers have to stop and put traction chains on their tires if they're going into snow more than a couple inches deep. We have a four-wheel-drive Subaru with all-weather tires, so we're usually exempt from the chain requirement.
Our elevation is only 2,300 feet, but it's very rugged territory and very dangerous when the roads are slippery. I try to stay home when it's snowy - since I'm retired, I can usually do that.

-Joe-

Subject: RE: BS: Car kit for snow
From: Will Fly
Date: 17 Dec 10 - 06:28 AM

The problem over here, Joe, is that for many, many years, snowfalls have been either non-existent or sporadic in some parts of the country. There are no laws regarding snow tyres - as in Sweden - for example. Unlike many parts of Europe, the UK weather can be pretty variable from one day to the next. This pattern may well be changing, but that's what many people have been used to.

When we had the last bout of snow - around a week ago - the two feet of snow in my road, on the cards and roofs, etc. on the Friday night had completely cleared and melted by Saturday morning...

Subject: RE: BS: Car kit for snow
From: Penny S.
Date: 17 Dec 10 - 07:08 AM

My Dad used to fit winter tyres - he went around East Kent visiting farmers, and so it was useful, back in the 50s, 60s, when farmers used to put up snow fencing to trap drifts before they formed in between the hedges alongside roads. They would be a waste of money in usual winters in the south of the UK, as would snow chains. On, off, every few hours. Or, indeed, after 20 mins driving down from the heights of the North Downs (which are ups) into the valleys of the local rivers. It would be different in the north - if you come from a continental interior, not under the variable track of the jet stream, the variation in our small island could take you by surprise.

I did in my youth, for a while, under the influence of a book on car emergencies, not only have a shovel, but also a biscuit tin containing survival essentials: matches, a couple of nightlights, sugar cubes, stock cubes, and a few other things which now escape me. I also had an enamel mug for melting snow over the candles in. I was greatly disappointed never to have to put this to use at the time, which was one of our mild periods.

I still carry a blanket, padded clothing and foil covers, torches, shovel, rock salt, and an old beach mat. I saw my neighbour had some plastic gripping mats - can anyone tell me how one reclaims them after moving off? I don't mind writing off the beach mat.

Then I leave my car in the garage.

Penny

Subject: RE: BS: Car kit for snow
From: kendall
Date: 17 Dec 10 - 07:39 AM

A candle or two. Your car will run out of gas in time and a candle can help take the chill off.

Subject: RE: BS: Car kit for snow
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 17 Dec 10 - 07:44 AM

Candles - what a good idea, I still have some bought for the power strikes in the early 70s!

We don't even have reliable gritting services in the Uk - just reliable chaos!!

Subject: RE: BS: Car kit for snow
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 17 Dec 10 - 07:49 AM

50/50 screen wash might be OK for soft southeners, but it's no good up north, I've got industrial strength in my car and it still freezes.

Dave

Subject: RE: BS: Car kit for snow
From: GUEST,Doc John
Date: 17 Dec 10 - 07:50 AM

My old car - superb at all other times - is real wheel drive and rubbish in the snow: all over the road compared with my wife's new front wheel drive. I looked on the 'net for some advice on snow driving and it gave such profound technical advice as 'remove the snow from your roof in case it falls onto the windscreen and blocks your view'; I'm sure none of you 'catters would ever have thought of that! It couldn't decide if an automatic should be left in D or locked in 1 or 2. The local garage tells me snow tyes would help but they are noisy and wear our quickly and would I really want them to swap the tyres round only to swap them back in acouple of days; and, of course, receive the bill. Or I could buy another set of wheels fitted with snow tyres (more expense) but would I really fancy changing four wheels on a dark morning at 10 below. And what happends when the snow becomes packed as hard ice: do snow tyres work or perhaps you need studded tyres then. And a trailer to carry these eight wheels plus spares. How does a 4 wheel drive veicle behave on ice: I've heard that these vehicles are fine in soft snow and mud but not so good in ice. As I live in a fairly mild part of the UK, I just stay at home and don't earn anything for a few days.

Subject: RE: BS: Car kit for snow
From: Midchuck
Date: 17 Dec 10 - 08:06 AM

Sleeping bag or heavy blanket(s)
Some food (anything lightweight, high-energy, that'll keep a long time)
Drinking water
Empty gallon jug so that (guys at least) won't have to leave the car and let cold air in (actually, Campmor has an "adapter" for women)
toilet paper/wet wipes
Cell phone (I realize most people have them everywhere, but I'm so old I don't consider them an automatic necessity}

Peter

Subject: RE: BS: Car kit for snow
From: Ed T
Date: 17 Dec 10 - 08:09 AM

A LED flash light and fold out triangle reflector. Even a small flashing red light may help others see you and your car. Some folks use the "shake up" or "wind up" variety, to avoid dead batteries.

A car blanket is also a good item to have onboard. If one gets in an accident, it can help reduce the impacta of shock.

I also carry a small spring loaded impact device (found in hardware stores) to assist in breaking a side window, should my vehicle slip offroad into a river or lake.

Subject: RE: BS: Car kit for snow
From: GUEST,PeterC
Date: 17 Dec 10 - 08:27 AM

When I had a rear wheel drive car 20 something years ago I found that a heavy weight in the boot gave it a lot more grip. There would usually be something suitable in the shed.

Snow chains - the trouble in the south of England is that conditions vary so much. While I may have to drive over dense packed snow to get out of my village in the Chilterns the roads will be clear a few miles away.

Subject: RE: BS: Car kit for snow
From: kendall
Date: 17 Dec 10 - 08:28 AM

Doc John, I don't know if they are available in the UK but over here we use "All weather" type tires which makes swapping them around unnecessary.

Ed T back in the late 40s Kaiser invented pop out windshields. If stuck in a car and need to get out, you should be able to just kick the windshield and escape.
...she kicked out my windshield she hit me over the head
she cursed and cried and said I'd lied and wished that I was dead...

Subject: RE: BS: Car kit for snow
From: Charmion
Date: 17 Dec 10 - 09:21 AM

In eastern Canada, smart people use snow tires, and in fact Quebec has a provincial ordinance requiring snow tires on all motor vehicles by 15 December. Whenever I hear tires spinning, or see a car fish-tailing around a corner, I wish Ontario would do the same.

Yes, we keep two sets of rims: one set with "all-season" tires that are really good only for the snowless period of the year (April to November in these parts), and the other set with snow tires. The car goes to the garage twice a year for routine maintenance, and we have the tires changed at the same time. This practice also ensures that the condition of the tires -- both tread and valves -- is thoroughly checked at least twice a year.

I have followed this routine since 1985, when I began to emerge from student penury, and haven't had a skidding incident -- let alone an accident -- in all that time, despite extensive winter travel.

Subject: RE: BS: Car kit for snow
From: MikeL2
Date: 17 Dec 10 - 09:25 AM

hi

Will is right about the sporadic nature of the snow in England.

I live in the North West and at the moment we have yet to have any snow this year. This even though within 10 miles in all directions sizeable amounts have been experienced with many problems with roads, communications etc.

This is much to the disappointment of our grand children and great grandchildren as our son promised to take them sledging but we have had to cancel it due to no snow.

The forecasts have been promising ( or that should be threatening !!) us with snow for some time now but we have escaped. Today they have forecast heavy snow for most of the Northwest especially our area so it will be interesting to see what happens.

I have had to drive many times on long journies in snow when I lived in Scotland so I know most of the things that several members have suggested here. But like Joe we are both retired so we just stay put when we get bad conditions.

Hoping to go out tonight as it is our ex- company's Christmas party and we hope to meet up with some old friends that we only see at this event each year.......so snow snow stay away.

cheers

MikeL2

Subject: RE: BS: Car kit for snow
From: gnomad
Date: 17 Dec 10 - 09:37 AM

According to my Googling the tyres normally in use in the UK are the all-weather type. Winter tyres are just beginning to be talked of by Joe Public, though the remoter areas and the winter sports types have known of them (and sometimes used them) for several years. UK climate conditions are suited to year-round use of an all-weather tyre as a rule, and in most areas.

Apparently there is also something called a summer tyre, but sustained dry weather is so rare in the UK we have no market for those.

I like the above suggested use of LED flashlights, given how long a holdup can possibly last that sounds like a very sensible change from an ordinary torch.

Regarding the retrieval of gripping mats I know that desert drivers using a similar device to escape soft sand sometimes attach the mats to a length of rope and drag them behind after moving off until they reach safer ground. While that would work in principle for snow I cannot see it being acceptable on any road that has other vehicles.

I reckon that one of the most useful things to carry is one or more passengers who can be put to work unsticking you, in the event of getting stuck, and if that doesn't work you can at least share body heat.

Subject: RE: BS: Car kit for snow
From: Rapparee
Date: 17 Dec 10 - 10:01 AM

At least one woolen blanket
Food (military MREs, at the moment)
Tea AND packets of sugar
A pocketknife with a can opener blade
Toilet paper
A large plastic trash bag
Telescoping snow shovel
Can or something to melt snow in
A paperback book or two
Sterno (jelled alcohol fuel) and a small stove for it
Plastic mug and bowl, w/plastic fork and spoon
Pencils and a notebook
A gasoline tank that is always at least half-full
The knowledge of how to use the above

Subject: RE: BS: Car kit for snow
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 17 Dec 10 - 10:15 AM

All useful stuff. We had an inch lunchtime in Coulsdon, Surrey which caused gridlock on the road towards Croydon. I am ready to make a quick getaway should heavy snow start up again - with enough work for 3 days!

A fully charged mobile phone is good of course!

Subject: RE: BS: Car kit for snow
From: gnu
Date: 17 Dec 10 - 11:02 AM

"... I looked on the 'net for some advice on snow driving..."

Rule #1 Do not spin your wheels.

Here, driving in snow and getting unstuck is an art form. Unfortunately, there is no mandatory course for such and it seems an ever increasing number of drivers have no clue about it.

Subject: RE: BS: Car kit for snow
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 17 Dec 10 - 11:06 AM

I grew up in the Pacific Northwest, so I tend to put in the same things I would up there, even though I'm in North Texas now.

I drive a pickup with a shell over the bed, so this time of year I put a plank across the back of the bed, against the wheel wells, and put a dozen 40-pound bags of topsoil, humate, whatever garden product is relatively cheap that will keep more weight on the rear axle. I also put in a bag or two of playground sand. In the spring all of this goes into the garden.

In the extended cab I keep a tool kit and blanket year round, but I add a down sleeping bag and I keep a couple of bottles of water. I usually have a small flashlight in my handbag, along with my cell phone, etc. I have a knife in my pocket. There is a backpacker's snow shovel in the back of the pickup.

We get ice here several times a winter, and usually a few light snows. Last year we had a 17" snowfall that was lovely and I didn't bother to drive anywhere in it. The locals didn't grow up driving in snow and might plow into me.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Car kit for snow
From: gnu
Date: 17 Dec 10 - 11:21 AM

SRS... "I also put in a bag or two of playground sand."

Those poor children!

Subject: RE: BS: Car kit for snow
From: GUEST,mg
Date: 17 Dec 10 - 12:59 PM

Snow boots and a coffee can or something with lid to use as emergency toilet..mg

Subject: RE: BS: Car kit for snow
From: kendall
Date: 17 Dec 10 - 01:29 PM

I've been driving front wheel drive cars for about 20 years and I have never been stuck.

Subject: RE: BS: Car kit for snow
From: Ed T
Date: 17 Dec 10 - 01:40 PM

"If stuck in a car and need to get out, you should be able to just kick the windshield and escape"

That myth was busted by Mythbusters.
You can open a window in a submerged car by attempting to break the window using steel-toed boots.
busted

Boots are ineffective.




Note the use of the item I mentioned that was confirmed:

"You can open a window in a submerged car by attempting to break the window using a spring-loaded center punch.
confirmed. The point of the punch can work like the tip of the hammer, and punches are sold for the purpose of breaking window glass. The punch breaks the window on the first try".



Mythbusters

Subject: RE: BS: Car kit for snow
From: Rapparee
Date: 17 Dec 10 - 01:59 PM

I'll have a charged cell phone with me. Also there are a couple of highway flares (fusees), "hunter orange" tape and road triangles to let others know where I am. And oh yeah, a compass just in case I do have to leave the vehicle -- no point in wandering around in a circle.

Subject: RE: BS: Car kit for snow
From: Ed T
Date: 17 Dec 10 - 02:07 PM

Howz about some Beef Jerky and a couple of energy bars (with a good shelf life)?

It would never hurt to have a bit of comfort:)

I also like head lights, the type bicycle drivers use.
It assists in walking at night, and makes it easier for one to be seen by vehicles and snow removal folks.

I suspect there is some reflective material that could likely be attached to your arms or clothes, if you need to get out of your car.

Subject: RE: BS: Car kit for snow
From: Ed T
Date: 17 Dec 10 - 02:07 PM

Does anyone know if the hand warming packs work?

Subject: RE: BS: Car kit for snow
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 17 Dec 10 - 02:10 PM

Playground sand is handy, and usually easily available. The smaller bags, usually 30 or 40 pound sizes, are handy; but the bags it comes in are only intended to be strong enough to keep it "mostly in the bag" until you get it home and sometimes by the time you're ready to take it out of the truck (or the "boot") you end up shovelling loose sand.

In my area you can also get "Truck Sand" or "Pickup Sand" bags of about the same weight, or up to about 60 pounds (or more) per bag that are in an elongated heavier bag intended specifically to stay in place better in the truck and to resist getting punctured if you load/carry some actual cargo during the season of use. Since these are seasonal, price is extremely variable, so they may or may not be a bargain.

If you're getting the playground sand at a "lumber yard" you can probably also look at the construction sand bags down near the quik-crete area that get you 50 to 90 pounds per bag at about the same price as the 20 to 30 pound(?) "playground sand" bags. The bigger bags will probably be cheaper, and are just as good for ballast but may be "quite a grunt" to handle.

Your choice depends on what works best in your truck, and with the way you use it; and you need to consider both the winter driving effects you're trying to get as well as how handy it is to take the ballast in/out or to work around it during a brief thaw in the weather. I find anything over 30 or 40 pounds a bit "unhandy," and smaller individual bags (you can always use more of them) may be better for those who might want to balance out a smaller SUV or passenger car.

Addition of the hydraulic liftgate on my p'up added about 250 lb to the tailgate end ('way back past the axle) already, so I don't really need much additional ballast to get to fairly even loading. Extended cab pickups, and a "topper" or toolbox on the back can have a big effect on the fore/aft weight balance, and about the only way to be sure how much adjustment might be helpful is to actually weigh the vehicle, preferably on a scale that gives individual axle weights.

Many "truck stop" scales will give you three individual axles so you can get a tow vehicle and trailer loadings all in one shot, althugh not all truck stops have a scale. The fee (about $5 US?) usually covers one weighing and a second "weigh back" any time within 3 to 5 days. Most don't object to "little bitty cars" getting a weight as long as the scale isn't crowded, but you may need to "press button to notify" out at the scale to get the attention of the clerk who prints out the result - and the button is usually at about the right height so a semi driver doesn't have to get out to push it - i.e. about 9 feet up from where "itty bitty car driver" sits on the scale. (Take a ladder?)

Many small cars could benefit a lot from a weight/balance adjustment specific to snow driving, although it's probably not worthwhile unless such conditions are reasonably frequent or last quite a while in the area.

John

Subject: RE: BS: Car kit for snow
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 17 Dec 10 - 02:26 PM

No one mentioned matches in a waterproof place! And I would worry about Sterno having fumes but candles are safe and could save your life. Once hypothermia sets in, our brains function even less well than usual and the older we are, the sooner it sets in. Warmth and water are essentials, food good. Do NOT leave the vehicle unless absolutely necessary - we have read too much about what happens then.

Subject: RE: BS: Car kit for snow
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 17 Dec 10 - 02:46 PM

An item not mentioned in above lists that should be in any vehicle that might get disabled by weather or any other condition:

A DURABLE form of note paper, a reliable marker, and a clip or clamp you can use to SECURELY fasten a note where it will be visible outside the vehicle.

While the general rule is that you DO NOT LEAVE YOURE VEHICLE if it's disabled - ESPECIALLY IN SNOW - there might be a situation when it might be acceptable or even necessary to do so.

If you must leave the vehicle, it is essential that you be able to leave a conspicuous notice of what you think you're intending to do, and how you plan to do it. You should ideally leave one not outside the vehicle where it's visible from a distance, and a second note inside where it can't blow away.

Failure to do so means that your body won't be found until after the snow melts, which probably will be after resuscitation is possible.

Even if snowfall has stopped, the sun is out, and visibility is excellent, you may not be able to travel as far as you think, and if you're down in the snow even alittle wind drift can cover you and your tracks in a very short time. If you're down more than fifty feet from your vehicle it may be impossible for aid, even if it arrives in time, to find you, especially without very specific information about what direction youu started out and where you intended to go.

And always put your name on the note for identification purposes. It's the polite thing to do for those who find what the critters don't get rid of.

John

Subject: RE: BS: Car kit for snow
From: GUEST,999
Date: 17 Dec 10 - 02:59 PM

Car kits should be put together with regard to the conditions you drive in or will be driving in. It ain`t a one-size-fits-all situation. Most organization--like AAA--will have good information for you. Being prepared for the desert when it`s minus forty isn`t going to help much.

That aside, make sure you have some pencils and paper. Pens will freeze.

Subject: RE: BS: Car kit for snow
From: gnu
Date: 17 Dec 10 - 03:32 PM

"Playground sand is handy, and usually easily available."

Yeah. SRS steals hers from the local playground. Pood kids! >;-)

Subject: RE: BS: Car kit for snow
From: MikeL2
Date: 17 Dec 10 - 03:32 PM

hi

A useful tip for driving in snowy and icy conditions I learned from an advanced driving course I took while in the RAF.

Imagine that you are driving with a full glass of wine on the front of your bonnet ( hood) and drive in such a way as to try not to spill a drop.

Worked for me.

Cheers

MikeL2

Subject: RE: BS: Car kit for snow
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 17 Dec 10 - 03:58 PM

make sure you have some pencils and paper. Pens will freeze

Another caution is that many "ball point" pens (although not called that much now) are almost impossible to use on paper that's even slightly damp even if only from high humidity or a few weeks in the vehicle. Although you can use body heat to thaw the ink by sticking them somewhere warm, a break in the internal ink column may still leave them unusable.

Some childrens' crayons often make a more reliable and more conspicuous marker to have onboard, although some of the recent "non-toxic" ones may be useless in adverse conditions. (Also applies to boating kits where the crayon wax can sometimes be handy for other things as well as for making marks.)

John

Subject: RE: BS: Car kit for snow
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 17 Dec 10 - 04:25 PM

Snow is one thing but sheet ice is another ballgame as I found out when driving home. I had to leave my car on a hill with many others where the road had become a veritable glacier!! Mind you, the grip mats and salt/grit I had enabled me to get 2 wheels on the pavement.

Subject: RE: BS: Car kit for snow
From: GUEST,999
Date: 17 Dec 10 - 04:38 PM

Good for you, Bonzo. I cannot recall how many MVC scenes I attended as either a medical responder or firefighter, but even one is too many. You`d think that Canadians--who should know about driving in snow--would know about driving in snow. Guess what, it`s like every year is a new learning curve. Ya`d figuire by now that folks would learn to slow down and be more careful.

Common sense ain`t all that common. At least going by some of the scenes I`ve seen.

Subject: RE: BS: Car kit for snow
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 17 Dec 10 - 04:55 PM

Just looked at the UK Met Office site, and their weather station less than one mile from my car recorded -5.9C at 6pm so the glacier like conditions are not surprising, but seem to be very localised.

Subject: RE: BS: Car kit for snow
From: GUEST,999
Date: 17 Dec 10 - 05:06 PM

Mix those temperatures with rain or snow that melted during the day and I expect your local brigade may have some business. Don`t let it be you, buddy.

Subject: RE: BS: Car kit for snow
From: Rapparee
Date: 17 Dec 10 - 05:10 PM

If you are stuck in your car, you can leave the engine running if you a) periodically check to make sure the tailpipe is clear and b) you keep one downwind window open a couple of inches. In fact, if you use ANYTHING in the car the produces flame -- Sterno, candles, a propane heater, a campfire, whatever -- ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS leave a window open a bit because these WILL produce carbon monoxide and that WILL kill you.

Another reason to open the window a tad is because of moisture and CO₂ buildup. The carbon dioxide can kill you just as dead as its monoxide cousin. Moisture can freeze and make it difficult or impossible to open the windows or doors.

And yes, the handwarmer packs do work but it you're not careful they can burn you. Use them with discretion.

999 isn't quite correct: Commons Sense isn't just uncommon, it's downright rare.

Subject: RE: BS: Car kit for snow
From: skarpi
Date: 17 Dec 10 - 05:16 PM

I just came home few hours ago , in a snow storm ....
I did not have anything of this ,,,hahahaha je
I have lived with this for all my live ...sorry its kind a funny
to watch the talk ...

drive save please and remember sometime its better to stay home
or wait off the weather ...I do that alot ...but not today .

all the best Skarpi

Subject: RE: BS: Car kit for snow
From: Jeri
Date: 17 Dec 10 - 05:26 PM

CO₂ isn't toxic the same way CO is. Mostly, with CO₂, the problem is a lack of O₂.

Carbon monoxide fools your body into believing it's oxygen and binds with hemoglobin and doesn't un-bind easily. Because it's not oxygen, nothing will accept delivery. You breathe too much CO₂, and all you have to do is breath good air. You might get a headache, but you won't die. If someone has CO poisoning, air alone won't help. (You can get somebody with CO poisoning outside in good air, and they can still die later.) A hospital might.

The most important thing in most cases is a cell phone. That's only my opinion, but not getting stranded alone, with no one knowing where you are, seems to be important. A space blanket or something for warmth is a good thing to have on board.

Subject: RE: BS: Car kit for snow
From: GUEST,999
Date: 17 Dec 10 - 05:27 PM

Hi, Skarpi. Keep in mind that Canada`s land area is about 90 times bigger than Iceland`s. I have weathered more than 50 below zero--but lots of folks haven`t. They are who the thread is for.

Subject: RE: BS: Car kit for snow
From: GUEST,Eliza
Date: 17 Dec 10 - 05:38 PM

The trouble with mobile phones is not being able to get any signal in certain areas. Here in rural Norfolk, UK, my mobile phone is totally useless, no signal whatever. Another hazard in, say, Lincolnshire, is the very real possibility of skidding into a drainage dyke or ditch, which line many of the rural roads. If your vehicle breaks the ice, you quickly drown or succumb to hypothermia. I'm sorry for all the folk who want to see their relatives at Christmas, but honestly, NOT to travel is really the best solution.

Subject: RE: BS: Car kit for snow
From: Ed T
Date: 17 Dec 10 - 06:03 PM

A few years ago, a friend of mine was driving in a heavy snow storm. He noticed a car off to the side of the road. He felt the car was abandoned. He also felt he would get stuck if he stopped to check it out. He just barely made it home through the snow.

Next day he sadly learned that a person in the stranded car he passed died from carbon monoxide poisioning. This failure to assist bothered him for many years.

A warning though. If you stop (for example, to help someone), make sure you park in a manner not to create a hazard to other vehicles. Too often, in snow or ice conditions, cars fail to avoid poorly parked vehicles, or people, standing beside them.

Subject: RE: BS: Car kit for snow
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 18 Dec 10 - 12:20 AM

"You breathe too much CO2, and all you have to do is breath good air"

Except that if you are already in an excess of CO2, your capability to think that you need fresh air is dampened, and you effectively 'drown' due to lack of oxygen. Ask dean submariners who ran out of oxygen just how fast this happens.

Subject: RE: BS: Car kit for snow
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 18 Dec 10 - 01:51 AM

Texas is looking better all the time.

I buy bags of dirt, humus, and sand at Home Depot. The bags are fine in the back of the truck from December to March. No rebagging required, though I do have some of the contractor's bags around here. Anything that might spill will be swept out and into the garden. The bags of sand are closest to the tailgate so I can use them if I need in the ice. I had to use some of it last winter to get up my driveway in the deep snow.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Car kit for snow
From: Naemanson
Date: 18 Dec 10 - 04:27 AM

I just love reading about snow! READING that is, not experiencing!

Someday I will have enough of eternal summer and will move back to the cold white north... but not yet!

Subject: RE: BS: Car kit for snow
From: MikeL2
Date: 18 Dec 10 - 07:01 AM

hi

< " I live in the North West and at the moment we have yet to have any snow this year. This even though within 10 miles in all directions sizeable amounts have been experienced with many problems with roads, communications etc.">

I opened my mouth too soon. Last night we had very heavy snowfall. Today the roads are jammed with traffic and walking is hazardous to say the least.

The good news is that the grandchildren and greatgrandchildren got to go sledging...I have got bruises on my bruises. lol

Still snowing and forecast is more....more....more

Cheers

MikeL2

Subject: RE: BS: Car kit for snow
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 18 Dec 10 - 09:08 AM

A new 4-6 inches of snow this morning - in biblical proportions, which fell in less than 1 hour. One fox lurched through our garden and I managed to get a couple of photos before it saw me.

Subject: RE: BS: Car kit for snow
From: kendall
Date: 18 Dec 10 - 09:29 AM

Ed T I didn't see anything about kicking the windshield out in the Myth Busters and I insist it can be done. They are no match for a pair of size 12 feet behind 200 pounds.

Subject: RE: BS: Car kit for snow
From: Jeri
Date: 18 Dec 10 - 09:59 AM

From the Mythbusters link, above:You can open a window in a submerged car by attempting to break the window using steel-toed boots.

busted

Boots are ineffective.

They, however, were referring to a windshield in a submerged car, which would have a substantial amount of water pressure holding it in place.

I've slid somewhere and been in a car with doors difficult to open because of snow against them, but I usually can roll down a window or force the door because there's still a lot of packing-down room in the snow. These days, I find it's easier to just avoid snow banks. I let the those 4-wheel drive vehicles piloted by over-confident drivers enjoy them.