4in of snow and the SDL is stuck! - Page 3 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

miamimike · #31 02-25-2005, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iceman

I've got at least 6 months of the year when we are in the perpetual freeze/thaw cycles that dominate the Anchorage area. The best times in the whole winter are when it's at least down to zero degree's. At least then you know that any snow present can't melt and form ice.
Snow tires and studs help. And I've determined the best route home and to work that includes the least number of hills and such. But even on slight inclines the 300d will break traction with anything but the slowest of acceleration.
I'm the only one in my family of four that will drive this car unless nothing else is available. Hey, that reminds me, the rest of the family have newer cars. But I imagine that is the norm with the rest of the board members also.

Glen

Surprised that more folks are not using Tire Chains--they are cheap and VERY effective in snow/ice.

boneheaddoctor · #32 02-25-2005, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by miamimike

Surprised that more folks are not using Tire Chains--they are cheap and VERY effective in snow/ice.

I keep a set of energancy chains in my snow kit I have in a gym bag.

miamimike · #33 02-25-2005, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boneheaddoctor

I keep a set of energancy chains in my snow kit I have in a gym bag.

I think its a generational thing also--when I was growing up in the 50s I always helped my dad chain up on snowy mornings-we could slap a set of chains in no time. Nowdays, kids just are not shown stuff like that. I can remember waking up in my bedroom early in the morning and without looking out the window to see if we had heavy overnight snow, I could tell just by the sound of the cars going down the road -if they had ChainSlap--determined whether or not I needed my high boots for the day. If those Chains were a slapping and rattling-get the boots out for the walk to school. The Neighborhood Milktruck always had the loudest Chainslap. Miss it here in Miami.Not

Iceman · #34 02-25-2005, 03:31 PM

Just aren't used much up here. I could count on the fingers of one hand the number of cars and trucks I have seen or heard with them on.
Everyone up here likes to believe they can drive on ice and snow like a pro. But the number of accidents proves them wrong. I pay the highest insurance rates that I ever have up here. I really doubt that a week passes without seeing at least one roll over and numerous ditch divers. Sad thing is, my daughter rolled her jeep the week before christmas last year. Good thing is that she got a clean bill of health after being checked out at the hospital.
Sometimes I forget that young adults just haven't got the same level of experiance as older drivers.

Glen

miamimike · #35 02-25-2005, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iceman

Just aren't used much up here. I could count on the fingers of one hand the number of cars and trucks I have seen or heard with them on.
Everyone up here likes to believe they can drive on ice and snow like a pro. But the number of accidents proves them wrong. I pay the highest insurance rates that I ever have up here. I really doubt that a week passes without seeing at least one roll over and numerous ditch divers. Sad thing is, my daughter rolled her jeep the week before christmas last year. Good thing is that she got a clean bill of health after being checked out at the hospital.
Sometimes I forget that young adults just haven't got the same level of experiance as older drivers.

Glen

Glen, right you are. Anyone that has driven with a set of good chains knows how effective they are. Can't go fast with them but fast driving in snow is not the objective to start with-getting there is. A Buddy of mine who is a logger in NC pa. still chains up with those humongous chains daily as soon as pulls off the Blacktop highway and heads up the mountain logging roads for a full load. And don't even think about desending a mountain logging road without chains.Not Good.

Honus · #36 02-25-2005, 05:01 PM

We had some slippery stuff come down last night, so I drove the wife's slightly-modified Subaru Impreza to work this morning. Now, there's a fun car. It will do whatever you want in the snow and ice. I had it doing really slow doughnuts on a cul-de-sac in one of the new housing developments near my house. It just slides around pretty as you please. Very controllable. Sometimes if the snow isn't too deep, I will take it off road. What a great car. One of the best I have ever driven, regardless of price.

Hatterasguy · #37 02-25-2005, 06:43 PM

I like the Subaru's a lot, they make one heck of a rally car! I would love the snow in one of those! Throw on a set of snow tires and you can pull SUV's out of the ditch.

boneheaddoctor · #38 02-25-2005, 07:18 PM

I have had these for years but never needed them yet.

I keep 2 sets of emergency strap on tire chains.

1 german Army entrenching shovel.

1 stadium blanket

1 set of gloves,

1 set of old timberland boots.

1 Icer scraper and brush

This I keep in a old gym bag I can throw car to car depending on what I drive that day.

I also keep a 1 gallon bucket (used to have sheet rock mud) with worn out sandblasting media.

This is enough to get me out of any situation when I didn't slide into a ditch...

Next year I will add a few sacks of sand as this Benz will be a primary car....and my previous cars were front wheel drive and didn't need the ballast of the sandbags.

rdanz · #39 02-26-2005, 03:54 PM

Snow tires are a must and I also put two 100lb sand bags in the trunk. I live in the northeast and car takes me where I need to go.

michakaveli · #40 02-26-2005, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy

Pete so it isn't just me! This stuff is slick, I have brand new all season tires with a real nice tread on them.
Yeah lots of accidents but people still drive 40mph!

It was the most slippery conditions of the year no doubt. All-seasons won't get you anywhere. You need some dedicated snow tires.

#41 02-26-2005, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mespe

You've never driven a car until you've driven a RWD in the snow. Most fun is doing donuts in your school parking lot. Did that once in a 240D! (Had to get up to speed before I turned the Steering wheel)

I simply love the way my '85 300SD handles in the snow. Going around corners and flooring it to release the steering wheel and let the german engineering self correct my fishing tale.

I agree, I've completed a sucessful 720 degree spin in the benz on ice with a tad bit of snow on the top, street radials..
I'll take RWD over FWD any day in the snow/slipper conditions becuase its predictable and I actually can correct for PREDICTED movements of the automobile.
The best though, two people sitting on the bumper of a VW bug (old) and driving anywhere you damn well please

#42 02-26-2005, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy

I like the Subaru's a lot, they make one heck of a rally car! I would love the snow in one of those! Throw on a set of snow tires and you can pull SUV's out of the ditch.

Not with the 5 speed stick stock transmission you won't....
Those darling little things are weak and like to fail.
But that didn't stop me from doing a 4 wheel power slide on dry pavement downtown while "test driving" one with a friend of mine who works for a used car dealership.
Whats funny is seeing a Type 3 Squareback pull a raised big tired american beast out of a muddy ditch that they got stuck in...stock tires...1800Bus engine in place of the 1600cc stocker...other than that...lots of rear end weight in those wagons.

Beautiful is seeing a VW bug (my old one) tow around the mercedes after I had oil pan issues. That was an interesting sight I am sure hehe

CSchmidt · #43 02-26-2005, 10:07 PM

Brandon,

"The best though, two people sitting on the bumper of a VW bug (old) and driving anywhere you damn well please "

A LONG time ago, I was in college and between cars. I was working for my future father-in-law in his snow plowing business in Buffalo, NY. I was driving my dad's '73 super beetle to get to the snow plowing truck. On a local snow covered expressway I remember being on a long sweeping curve. The steering wheel was only half the equation. I could go "straight" by stepping on the gas, regardless of the wheel position. I could turn more by letting off the gas with the wheel turned. I always had forward motion, just not necessarily in the direction the steering wheel was pointed 8).

Chuck