Help save a friendship

Post subject: Help save a friendship Posted: Thu Mar 18, 2010 03:06 PM

Here is an argument I am having with my close misguided friend. Please help me with this simple question.

If you were driving down a hill covered in snow which technique would you use. Please explain why so I can help explain this one.

1. Put the car in Neutral and carefully use the brake. (his method)

2. Put the car in first and and use the brake as little as possible. (my method)

Post subject: Re: Help save a friendship Posted: Thu Mar 18, 2010 04:00 PM

Method 2. This allows the engine to be used as an additional braking device along with the brakes. With the tranny in 1st gear it would help limit how fast the car would travel downhill and put less stress on the brakes.

If in neutral, only the brakes would be slowing the weight of the car which could cause the brakes to overheat as well.

Post subject: Help save a friendship Posted: Thu Mar 18, 2010 04:12 PM

method 2 for sure.

thats an old technique that i had to use plenty of times back east.

its not about the brakes heating up in my opinion, its the fact that they will lock up or chatter (abs pulse) when they sense a little bit of slip. Keeping it in first gear will not cause you to lock up unless you are going way too fast for the gear. Downshifting is always better and less drastic then braking, as long as the space allows it.

1st gear and use the brake only when needed. my .02

Post subject: Re: Help save a friendship Posted: Thu Mar 18, 2010 06:35 PM

You do realize that you're asking a bunch of people from the desert right? Shocked

I say #2 also. Wink

Post subject: Re: Help save a friendship Posted: Thu Mar 18, 2010 07:03 PM

#2
Can't get your point across, find a hill and have a contest. Smile

Post subject: Help save a friendship Posted: Fri Mar 19, 2010 01:45 AM

#2

Post subject: Help save a friendship Posted: Fri Mar 19, 2010 02:26 AM

#3: Go down the hill using the hand brake, just like you would on a steep dirt hill. Reason: Because you'll still have steering if your tires lock up and start sliding. BTW - I'd feather the brake pedal too, only if necessary, being sure not to apply so much as to lock up your front wheels. If you start sliding too much, just let go and steer, being thankful that you have a roll cage!

Post subject: Re: Help save a friendship Posted: Fri Mar 19, 2010 03:14 AM

Mykul wrote:

You do realize that you're asking a bunch of people from the desert right? Shocked

I say #2 also. Wink

Some of us are from the HIGH desert, where we get much practice in this. #2 is the correct answer from loads of experience. 57Baja has a valid point, especially if you haven't reversed bias as recommended in the Baja Bible.

Kyle

Post subject: Help save a friendship Posted: Mon Mar 22, 2010 03:44 AM

Take it from someone who grew up in Montana with lots of snow and ice, definately #2. #3 might be kind of fun, but trust me and DO NOT touch the hand brake. Sorry 57Baja, that's the quickest route to the ditch. The hand brake is a lot of fun though in a vacant parking lot.

Post subject: Help save a friendship Posted: Mon Mar 22, 2010 04:37 AM

#2
traction to the rear wheels is better than braking only on the front.. and as most weight going downhill favors the front, the engine can apply braking to the rear which is otherwise wasted.. and always save your brakes when possible.. brakes get hot , good trannies are like a dead weight anchor behind ya...

Post subject: Help save a friendship Posted: Mon Mar 22, 2010 05:13 AM

#2 Always. The trans will help slow the car down and save on the brakes. After 30 years of facing all kinds of winters, I feel as though I should have learned something about driving in them. I grew up in Connecticut and now live in Ohio.

Post subject: Help save a friendship Posted: Thu Mar 25, 2010 03:51 PM

I agree with everyone except your friend who thinks nutural is the way to go. It is if there ain't no trees or clifs....lol; and ya don't mind roling over.

Post subject: Help save a friendship Posted: Thu Mar 25, 2010 11:31 PM

This is threatening a friendship? Aye aye aye. Laughing

Post subject: Help save a friendship Posted: Fri Mar 26, 2010 01:04 PM

Every-body can't be wrong----right? What are friends for? Try both ways and see which works best for you.
Your friend,
BugLife

Post subject: Help save a friendship Posted: Fri Apr 02, 2010 04:28 AM

i sure hope he hasent went over a clif?