driving an automatic

[curlyperm11]

Hi - i can only drive automatic cars, and 2 weeks ago skidded on black ice and ended up in a ditch,and consequently ended up in hopital, i am ok but car was a write off, NOW i have managed to get another car (auto) and am absolutely DREADING driving tomorrow or any day thats got ice /snow, the back roads that i go to work have NO grit/salt, so any advice to me regarding the drive would be useful, as its tempting to drive with foot on brake but that is what landed me in the ditch, i go into panic mode when i look out the window and see snow/ice
thanks in advance
curlyperm

[suzie1]

drive slow and dont put your foot on the brake, it makes it worse on ice, just keep your distance from vehicles in front and if you do skid, steer into the skid and not away as that will make your car run away from you as you probably know that now.....keep safe or alternativly get a bus, tram or a lift from someone who isnt as worried as you

[curlyperm11]

thank you suzi - i'm not totally sure what steering in to the skid' actually means, as at the time its happenning the panic sets in (for me anyway) and its just natural to apply the brakes, but thank you : )

[cazzz1975]

drive slowly, gentle acceleration, let the car some to a natural stop rather than rely on brakes, use brakes gently. Im not surprised you are nervous given your accident. once you have driven in snow and ice a few times you will feel a lot better about it.

[cazzz1975]

come not some*

[suzie1]

well, if you are driving slow and ur car skids on ice to the left, u should steer into the left slowly and try to position your car so it doesnt hit anything, unfortunatly this doesnt always work, but its far better than braking, coz when you brake the tyres freeze and slide away, thats when you really cant do much but pray..... i know panic does kick in when this happens..its not nice, but like i said if its that bad for you then please dont drive as you will be putting others in danger if you cant manage the icy road..no offense curly....take it easy

[curlyperm11]

cheers guys - yeah i know i should prob just stay home - but cos i missed out on so much work - this was my one chance to catch up - havent even THOUGHT about chrissy pressies yet - just got no dosh - ah well - prob be up all night worrying, my neck of the woods isnt supposed to be too bad? but maybe i'll hang around till late morning or invest in some tyre chains? hehehehe

[cazzz1975]

dont worry curly, the media overdramatise the weather in any case it will probably have melted by 10 o clock

[vulcan]

AA recommendations.
All manoeuvres to be as gentle as possible.
wear dry shoes, snow covered boots can slip off pedals.
with automatics, and normal driving select drive but In slippery conditions select 2 which limits gear changes and you're less reliant on brakes.
some modern automatics have a "winter" mode, check the handbook.

[Toureman]

It's a bit silly telling her to steer left as her car skidded because she had the brake on which meant the front wheels would be sliding and steering would not have worked anyway.

If the back wheels were skidding then yes, it is correct, you would steer into the skid,

Read this in the link Curlyperm..........................

http://www.graham-syk...php/skid-control.html

[Panic Button]

Why not get a taxi on bad days?

OK, it costs a bit, but in your case I reckon it would be worth it.

[SurreyGuy]

Drive slowly and let the engine "brake" the speed of the car. If you do have to use your brakes, then make sure that your braking is gradual and only as "forceful" as is needed.

I drive 30+ miles to work every day and this mindset" has served me well.

The main thing that worries me on the roads is other drivers!

[TTG]

SurreyGuy I agree. My work distance is almost the same as yours. I actually saw a car overtake another on a snow/slush covered single carriage-way road!

[R1Geezer]

some good advice above, I'll add though that one good way is to imagine you have no brakes. That means you have to look ahead and plan, it's a good exercise to practice generally. I once drove from Walsall to Bournemouth and only had to touch the brakes twice! It was a tiring but worthwhile exercise.

[TWR]

Hi Curryperm, there is a thing as said called Gears, I 2 3 D R depending on the aea & condition use the lowest gear & the most important, do not get pushed by a tear elbow up you rear let them wait, no-one can beat the Ice, In 30+ of driving HGVs I Have seen them come and go, & go the do into walls, cars, even people, If anyone Say's to you they do not panic they are a liar, believe me I have heard alll the Bullsht by so called clever drivers, The most important thing to do. TAKE YOUR TIME, the ice will be there after a lot of people end up in a coffin, & a lot have just because of stupidity.

[gsr600]

curlyperm11
find yourself a nice wide road / car park or an industrial estate at the weekend & go play in the snow if its still about, take somebody with you to advise you or just to calm you down, just practice braking / steering/ handbrake skids etc where theres no risk of you hurting/damaging property or yourself.
as they say all things come with practice.
its the only way to educate youself.