Losing control

[Sarlacc]

Originally Posted by totopo

Southern californian here, so I've never driven in snow. Interesting, is there not enough traction in snow for significant weight shift? Why not leave it in gear? Is there no amount of throttle that will give the rear some stability in the snow?

At least on dry asphalt, lifting after you start oversteering is like the worst sin.

Oh sure. This is the advanced techniques I mentioned. Anything from what you're saying up to the Scandinavian flick is something you need to learn and practice on snow and ice before doing it on public roads.
The margins are much narrower than on dry asphalt, and the traction varies from just slippery down to almost zero in worst-case scenarios such as polished ice sheet with a thin layer of fresh powder snow on top.
So it's harder to master than dry asphalt.

Personally, I have driven RWD cars on Norwegian winter roads for decades, and I use the throttle actively to correct for any hint of understeer or oversteer. I also practice in safe locations every chance I get to make sure my driving skills are as honed as possible when I really need them.

The REAL trick, however, is to feel the current traction as transmitted through the steering wheel and the seat; and plan ahead, to avoid creating situations where any of this is needed.
On narrow, icy roads you may not want to go sideways, even if you're really good at it, because parts of your car will be in the lane reserved for traffic going in the other direction.
And you never want to scare the driver of the oncoming 18-wheeler into slamming his brakes on that icy road.

[paulca]

Originally Posted by Sarlacc

Well, that's what they teach at driving schools in Norway. Release throttle and press the clutch. What I didn't include was the word "simultaneously", but that should be obvious.

If you're in low gear I would agree that suddenly releasing throttle without stepping on the clutch will apply significant engine braking on the drive wheels and cause oversteer on a RWD car, or understeer on a FWD car. Therefore, clutch.

It's a good part to do with the weight transfer forward off the rear end caused by the engine braking.

This same thing happens in FWD cars for the same reason and is one good way to get an over-steer slide in one. Just floor it to the red line, violently turn in and lift your foot off abruptly.. and go WEEEEEEEHA!

EDIT: I drove a Clio for a while, it has a deliberate throttle delay to try and prevent it. You lift you foot off suddenly, it slowly retracts the throttle instead.

[Harvey]

Originally Posted by J_kennington

Are these gigantic round abouts? I can't imagine being in 3rd for a round about lol.

Yep, pretty big... you can go at 70KMH on some of these.... it's a big 2 lane road full of big roundabouts (some are off center, so you can just snap passed them even much faster). When no ones on the road and you get in the middle I think it's pretty safe to push just a little.

[J_kennington]

Originally Posted by Harvey

Yep, pretty big... you can go at 70KMH on some of these.... it's a big 2 lane road full of big roundabouts (some are off center, so you can just snap passed them even much faster). When no ones on the road and you get in the middle I think it's pretty safe to push just a little.

Ohhh, I didn't notice you were in France. The US has adopted round abouts, but ours are miniature compared to over there. I still remember going to Switzerland back in 03 and seeing my first round about, was interesting to say the least lol

[paulca]

Can you imagine the first time you approach this?

Yes it's for real. Check the youtube videos too!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magic_Roundabout_(Swindon)

[Derickie]

Originally Posted by paulca

Can you imagine the first time you approach this?

Yes it's for real. Check the youtube videos too!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magic_Roundabout_(Swindon)

Wtf?

[paulca]

Originally Posted by Derickie

Wtf?

I always wondered what a Sat/Nav does when you get there.

"At the next roundabout... you are on your own!"