OAUSA Net - January 5, 2017 - Driving in the Snow

DaveK · Post by **DaveK** » Fri Dec 30, 2016 9:03 pm

Well, the timing for this net couldn't have been better. Most of the US has seen below freezing temps in the last few weeks and many of these areas have plenty of the white stuff. Traveling on paved roads or going 4-Wheeling, you need to know what to do in the snow. Each of these presents different conditions and challenges. While driving in the snow can be a lot of fun, you need to prepared and well equipped. Our discussion this week will include recommendations for driving in the snow, rules and laws as well as equipment suggestions.

So, it's time t break out the tire chains, some warm clothes, and your good snow driving skills and enjoy the outdoors. We are fortunate to have OAUSA members who live in parts of the country where snow is a regular seasonal thing and we will have the benefit of their input during the net. Post your pictures, thoughts, suggestions and recommendations.

Tom and I will be posting pictures, links, product recommendations and more. Check back often.

kevinhum55 · Post by **kevinhum55** » Mon Jan 02, 2017 10:35 pm

Great Topic! I've been wanting to go to the snow but I refuse to deal with the holiday traffic. Just need the right day off...
Check me in!
W6RIP (formerly KM6DDR)

Thanks,
Kevin

Jeff-OAUSA · Post by **Jeff-OAUSA** » Wed Jan 04, 2017 6:30 pm

Happy New Year!!

Please check me in.

WD6USA
Jeff - Highland, CA via the Keller Peak Repeater

DaveK · Post by **DaveK** » Wed Jan 04, 2017 10:08 pm

The three most important things for driving in the snow are traction, traction and traction. Seriously though, traction is one of the very most important considerations for those who find themselves traveling in the snow. Traction comes in several forms, but for most of us, it boils down to tires and the type of traction control devices (chains) we use. This post however, will only discuss tires.

1. STANDARD SNOW TIRES
There are a number of variations in snow tire designs, but regardless of the differences, there are industry standards and guidelines which apply to them all. The two most common symbols or designations are M+S and the mountain snow flake. If the tire qualifies, the designations are molded into the tire sidewall.

1. M/S rated tires (or M&S, M+S, MS, also known as all season tires). This is a Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA) designation and means that the tire is suitable for mud and snow conditions. Tires so designated are really only suitable for light snow, but not icy conditions or sub-zero temperatures.

: M&S Designation.jpg (6.33 KiB) Viewed 22614 times

2. Mountain / Snow Peak rated tires. This is also an RMA designation and means that the tire is suitable for "severe snow service" (their terminology.) A three peak mountain, with a snowflake in the center, will be molded into the tire sidewall. The primary benefit of these tires is that the rubber compound is formulated so as to not become hard in sub-zero temperatures, thus improving traction. It looks like this:

: severe_snowflake.gif (5.99 KiB) Viewed 22614 times

: Mountain Peak- Snow Designation.jpg (23.37 KiB) Viewed 22614 times

While it may seem unlikely, there are certain tires which have a solid 4x4 off-road reputation, which also bear the Mountain/Snow Peak designation as well as the M/S designation. One such tire is the BF Goodrich All Terrain T/A. Here is what it looks like:

: M&S and Snow Peak (Large).jpg (83.85 KiB) Viewed 22614 times

2. STUDDED SNOW TIRES
Studded snow tires have been around for many years and are still preferred by many. The disadvantages are significant, including the need to buy a new set of tires, the need to swap them in when snow appears and out when the season is over, and significantly increased road noise. Additionally many states prohibit studded tires during non-snow seasons, and some states have even banned them altogether.

The "studded vs non studded tire" debate is one which will be resolved purely by choice, but breakthroughs in tire technology have nearly eliminated the need for studs. The Bridgestone Tire Company offers the following analysis of "stud vs non-stud" tires" (http://www.bridgestonetire.com/tread-an ... less-tires):

Studded Tires

Studded snow tires literally have metal studs embedded within the tread. These small, strong pieces of metal are designed to dig into ice, which provides added traction. When the driving surface isn't covered in ice, studded tires can damage the road. They're tough enough to dig into pavement, which is why many states limit their use during non-winter months and some states have outlawed them completely. Studded winter tires are also known to produce a noisy ride.

Although studded tires are capable of handling icy driving situations, improvements in the rubber compounds of modern studless winter tires have made them more capable of handling some of winter's most extreme driving situations.

Studless Tires

In recent years, studless snow tires have become the preferred snow tire for many winter drivers. Instead of relying on metal protrusions in the tread, modern non-studded winter tires lean on advances in rubber compounding, tread designs, and other unique technologies.

In winter's cold temperatures, a non-winter tire's tread rubber becomes stiffer and less able to conform to even a dry road's irregularities. Modern studless snow tires are capable of maintaining flexibility in freezing temperatures, thanks to advances in rubber compounding technologies. This increased rubber flexibility allows tires to maintain traction on snowy, icy, wet and dry driving surfaces.

Studless winter tires generally have deeper tread depths than summer or all season tires. Deep tread depths allow the tire to manage snow and slush dispersion from under the tire. It also allows the tire to provide better or snow-on-snow traction by packing it within the tread blocks.

Another feature you'll notice are thousands of tiny slits in the tread pattern, called sipes. These act as thousands of biting edges on ice that help with acceleration, deceleration, and stopping.

3. SIPING TIRES FOR BETTER SNOW TRACTION

Siping is the process of cutting thin slits across the tread of a tire for the purpose of gaining additional traction. Some tires actually come from the manyufatures spied, but most don't.

The Lee Schwab Tire website says this about siping (https://www.lesschwab.com/tires/performance-siping):

What is Siping and how is it Done?
How tire siping works

Siping is the process of cutting thin slits across the surface of a tire to improve traction for driving in snowy, wet or icy conditions. Siping can also help manage tire heat when the road is overly hot.

Siping is done by placing your tires (new or used) on a specially designed machine that rotates your tires while making small, nearly invisible 90-degree cuts in your tread. It’s actually easier to tell if a tire is siped by the improvement in vehicle handling than by visual inspection.
Should I Get My Tires Siped?

Tire siping improves traction and braking, makes for a smoother ride, and prolongs tire life. Siping won’t reduce tire performance in any way. The tire tread retains its toughness due to the patented spiral cutting process. This leaves uncut areas known as tie bars intact, keeping your tread strong.

This is what it looks like:

: siped_tires.jpg (10.57 KiB) Viewed 22494 times

Here is an interesting video showing the benefits of siping: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Tc3VIDQvh0

Here are several websites that discuss the benefits of siping tires, with an emphasis on the advantages during snow driving.

1. http://www.snowtrek.org/tire-siping/tire-siping.php
2. https://blog.cargurus.com/2013/01/15/wh ... -good-idea
3. https://www.lesschwab.com/tires/performance-siping

Siping may carry one risk that you should research before choosing to have it done - your manufacturers warranty. Some warranties may be voided by siping. Be careful.

4. AIRING DOWN FOR SNOW DRIVING

Everybody knows that airing down your tires on a rough trail can improve comfort as well as traction. The same can be true in the snow or ice. If you are not running with chains, there are certain snow conditions in which you will gain a traction advantage by airing down. But be aware however, there are some snowy conditions where you will not want to air down. In snow that is hard packed and wet, the larger footprint of an aired down tire can give you a traction advantage. Likewise, in deep lightly packed snow. an aired down tire can help the vehicle "float" on the surface. When the snow is thinner, the narrower profile of a normally inflated tire can allow the weight of the vehicle to "punch" through the snow or ice and get to the better traction of the road. Know your conditions and keep the speed down.

Check out these sites for additional helpful advice.

https://www.warn.com/blog/2011/04/28/ai ... _use.shtml
https://www.treadlightly.org/featured-a ... ow-safely/
http://www.rockcrawler.com/features/baldwin/may98/

toms · Post by **toms** » Thu Jan 05, 2017 12:38 pm

How to Survive in Your Vehicle Stuck in Snow

: Snow1.jpg (61.01 KiB) Viewed 19800 times

This is a article I wrote in December of 2010. While the reference to recent news is outdated, the suggestions are still relevant.

Winter has arrived in many parts of the country, and that means a hazardous situation awaits you nearly every time you get behind the wheel. You may know how to drive in snow, but do you know what to do if you were stuck in snow?

Recently, drivers on I-90 near Buffalo, N.Y., were trapped for up to 12 hours when a massive blizzard hit the area. Some cars were literally buried in snow. If you were caught in a situation like that, would you know how to handle yourself?

You don’t have to be out in the country to encounter a hazardous situation. You can get socked in while driving home from work one day. If you’re stuck, you can bet that hundreds of other motorists are, as well. Help could be hours away.

Every situation is unique, but the following guidelines apply in all situations, and could save your life. I highly recommend you copy this article to your laptop or other device. You’re likely to have that with you, but you may not have access to the Internet.

Prepare for winter driving

: Snow2.jpg (61.93 KiB) Viewed 19800 times

“Safety is no accident,” as the old saying goes. We discussed that before in 10 Safety Rules For Off-Road Driving and in a related column, Your Gear Is Not Complete Without An Emergency Packet! Winter presents its own set of hazards, which require additional preparation. It starts with a survival kit. Make sure yours includes at least some of these items.

More of a collection of items, a winter survival kit includes extra food and clothing, items to help you prepare food or water, signaling/communications gear, and some means to free yourself.

Food should be dry, packaged goods that have a long shelf life. These include granola bars, snack mix/trail mix, canned nuts, graham crackers, and hard candy. Thick canned food, like ravioli, may be added. Avoid soups as the can may freeze and burst. For a few extra dollars you can add military style MRE (Meals Ready to Eat) available on line and at military surplus stores.

Make sure the packages and cans are easy to open. It’s unlikely you’ll have a can opener or scissors with you.

Extra clothing can include boots, gloves, a blanket or sleeping bag, and a hat. This stuff can be bulky, so choose wisely. I pack a Thinsulate™ sleeping bag. It’s warm but thin, and compresses into a nice, small size (more likely to still be in the vehicle when I need it).

It’s easy to get dehydrated in the winter, so you should carry some liquids. Even if you normally carry a water bottle, be prepared to produce water by melting snow. (Avoid eating snow, as that will lower your body temperature.) Pack an empty soup or coffee can along with a small stove or burner.
Jet Boil
Jetboil® offers a line of nifty mini cookers. They work great with food, as well.

If you become stuck, you’re likely to reach for your cell phone. Keep an extra battery pack or the cord for tapping into the car’s cigarette lighter. You should also keep some fresh flashlight batteries.

Pack a red or orange flag that you can attach to your antenna. That will help rescuers spot your vehicle. (If you don’t have a flag, a large piece of fabric will work.) A small shovel can come in handy, also. Buy the kind with a curved blade and collapsible handle.

Ham and CB radio equipment can be very useful, especially when you’re outside of cell range. If possible, take along some radio gear (but remember that ham radio requires a license). Flares are useful, too, especially at night. Have one or two in your vehicle.

Consider packing small pieces of carpet or a set of Sand Ladders. Also, being stuck can be boring. Have some reading material or puzzle books with you to pass the time. Speaking of reading material, newspapers and magazines can be used for body insulation.

: Snow3.jpg (45.65 KiB) Viewed 19800 times

Get in the habit of keeping your gas tank at least half full. You’ll need the fuel to run your engine on occasion. More on that later.

Another “item” you can pack is awareness. It’s easy to get distracted or start daydreaming while behind the wheel. Memorize mile markers or street/highway signs as you pass by. You’ll help rescuers immensely if you can tell dispatch where you are. A GPS is useful to pin point your location.

What to do if you’re stuck
If you’re ever stuck in a blizzard, follow these suggestions. 1.Try not to panic. You’ll need a clear head to work yourself through this situation. Maintain your composure, and calm down your passengers as needed.
2.Stay with your vehicle. It’s a lot easier to spot from a distance. Leaving your vehicle, and the comfort and protection it offers, can be dangerous. You may think you’ll be able to get help. Odds are you’ll become disoriented and freeze to death.
3.Attach a flag or colored piece of clothing to the antenna. This helps rescuers and lessens the possibility of being hit by another driver.
4.Run the engine only 10 – 15 minutes each hour. Sure, you want to stay warm, but you need to conserve your gas. Also, the less often you run your engine, the less chance for lethal levels of carbon monoxide to build up.
5.Crack a window on the downwind side (leeward side) of the car. That air will be chilly, but it’ll also be clean.
6.Clear the exhaust pipe periodically.
7.If you decide to dig yourself out, start on the leeward side of the car. Don’t exert yourself, because you need to minimize sweating. Getting damp and cold can be deadly. Brush off the snow before reentering your vehicle.
8.As a last resort, burn your spare tire. The smoke (or fire) will be visible for miles.

Being stuck in a snowstorm can be a terrifying experience. With the proper preparation and response, you can enhance your chances of surviving and being rescued.

##########################

DaveK · Post by **DaveK** » Thu Jan 05, 2017 3:36 pm

CHAINS

When the snow starts, most jurisdictions in the US usually follow a graduated approach to road use before a complete shutdown occurs. Something like this::

1. Light snow - snow rated tires required
2. moderate show - snow tires and 4 wheel drive required.
3. heavy snow - chains required

On 4x4 trails or back country roads there may be no law enforcement monitoring to make sure that you are proceeding properly and wisely. In either case, the wise traveler carries snow chains.

Chains, (or more appropriately, traction control devices) like just about everything else, have evolved significantly and there is a chain type now available to meet almost any vehicle and any need. You need to do your research on what will best serve your vehicle and the type of driving you foresee. One of the results of advances in technology is that there are many traction control devices that are not even made from chains, or metal, for that matter. They each have their advantages and disadvantages and which one is selected will be determined by cost, size, weight, convenience, and, of course, your needs. Here are some of the most popular categories:

HEAVY DUTY CHAINS

If you are looking for some heavy duty strong snow chains, look into the pewag website, http://www.pewagchain.com/Products/Traction-Chains.aspx . Since most four-wheelers run tires much larger than stock, finding chains can be challenging. Pewag offers chains in a huge variety of sizes. From their website:

Strong is not enough

The strongest chains in the world for each area of application

pewag offers the right product for every situation. With our determination to innovate, we at pewag design snow chains that guarantee maximum safety and comfort in every situation.

pewag snow chains cannot only be used in wintery conditions. Our products can be used on all different types of grounds – mud, pebble and sand: In impassable terrain military and ambulance drivers rely on pewag quality.

Check out this video on how easy it is to install and remove their chains: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Q5c5lPo-4E

SPECIAL APPLICATION CHAINS

Many of the newer cars today have very tight clearances around the tires and manufacturers do not recommend the use of (regular) chains. Tire chain companies have risen to the task and have developed chains that are meant to fit these vehicles. SAE guidelines have also been developed to indicate which type of chain is appropriate for a given clearance dimension. For purposes of illustration only, I have selected one manufacturer to demonstrate the types of chains that are currently being offered that can be used in such vehicles. The product is called "Z-Chain" and is manufactured by the SSC company. This is the description from their website (http://www.scc-chain.com/tire-chain-fin ... s/z-chain/)

Z-Chain has always met S.A.E. Class “S” requirements for passenger vehicles with limited clearance around the drive tires. Now the inner cross member connectors and side cable fastening system have been redesigned to operate in even smaller spaces!

Here is an example of these chains. Before purchasing any chain, you should check with your owners manual.

: Sidebar_Zchain.png (25.68 KiB) Viewed 19154 times

: ZP_6.jpg (25.77 KiB) Viewed 19252 times

TRADITIONAL CHAIN ALTERNATIVES

There are many alternatives to conventional chains that will work well. In general they are cheaper than a full set of chains, smaller, more compact, and easier to install. Here are a few:

1. ZipGripGo. RIck mentioned these last year and they are worth considering. They are recommended for a single use only, but at about $25 per set, it can serve as an emergency set that is light weight and easy to stow in any vehicle. The product is available from the manufacturer as well as more information: https://zipgripgo.com/ .

From Their website:

: ZipGripGo.jpg (73.83 KiB) Viewed 19154 times

2. MICHELIN S.O.S. GRIP® snow sock

From the Michelin website ( http://www.michelin.com/eng/media-room/ ... -snow-sock ):

MICHELIN S.O.S. GRIP® is an approved solution ideally suited to use in emergency situations on snow-covered or icy roads.

It is effortlessly easy to fit in less than two minutes and the structural design of its exclusive MICHELIN textile ensures outstanding grip and traction.

When it comes to grip, the ultra-absorbency of the textile ensures a level of performance on a par with that of snow chains. Tests* effectively reveal that MICHELIN S.O.S. GRIP® significantly improves traction, braking performance and lateral grip on packed snow compared with a tire with no sock fitted.

Moreover, MICHELIN S.O.S. GRIP® comes with Night Vision Security reflectors to improve the vehicle’s visibility in darkness. Both ESP- and ABS-compatible, this new snow sock is vibration-free.

Last but not least, MICHELIN S.O.S. GRIP® is available in a selection of 10 different sizes which cover more than 90 percent of vehicles on the road, from small city cars to 4x4s and large family saloons.

: Michelin Tire Sock.jpg (35.75 KiB) Viewed 19154 times

3. Snow Claws. They also come as a pair but have a different attachment method using a ratchet system. Snow Claws design is very different from conventional chains but at about the same cost. They are very unique and are made from some sort of high tech polyurethane. Snow claws are made to fit a huge variety of tires all the way up to 40 inches for trucks and SUVs and larger for buses, tractors, etc. They install in about 5 minutes and are meant to not damage your wheels. From the "for what it's worth" department, Snow Claws" were named as "tool of the month" by Truck Trend magazine a couple of years ago, ( http://flextrax.mysite101.net//about-snoclaws )