Quote:
Originally posted by RG5384
I also know that you want to brake harder where there isn't ice and very lightly brake where there is ice. I've also heard that if you are coming up to a stop light and you can't get traction, that for some reason pulling the e-brake helps? I dont really understand the physics of that, but i've heard it from many people.
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since your car has ABS, you do not need to "brake lightly" on ice - the ABS takes care of this. Just keep the pedal mashed and remember that you still have some directional control, so if you think you cannot stop soon enough, at least you can steer out of trouble (or choose a less expensive target!).
if the parking brake operates on the wheels that are driven, then using it (partly engaged) will limit the spin of the wheel with less traction, relative to the other driven wheel (which is also being partially braked). In this regard, it is a very crude form of traction control/limited slip device.
if your car is FWD and the parking brake operates on the rears, then you are just shooting yourself in the foot.
if your car has traction control, then the above is unnecessary.
if you have to stop and come up to a patch of ice, and succeed in doing so, be aware that the car behind you will also have this problem. Braking early to allow for the possibility of black ice gives the driver behind you (via your brake lights) enough time to react as well. In this regard, keep your taillamps clean - it will get dirtied up by road salt.
What is particularly annoying are those SUV drivers who drive fast and tailgate you, falsely thinking that their 4wd drivetrain will give them better braking as well.
use sunglasses to reduce the glare from the snow and to enhance contrast (a brown shade works well for me)
bring a shovel in your trunk and an ice scraper/windshield brush.