Hi ,

Someone informed me that if you keep a couple of sand bags in the boot , it tends to increase the stability as weight is more on the front due to engine . This might help in avoiding skids .

Can someone validate this theory ?

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Fido.

Fido,
Yes. It does.
But practially, you need a lot of sandbags to show any appriciable effect, which is not feasible practcally. It also tends to increase fuel consumption.
A more practical way is to change to winter tires and if it is not possbile, do the following :
1.Drive slowly leaving lots of space in the front (which you will anyway do in a snow storm)
2. Keep going on a straight path (A majority of accidents occur when you change lanes fastly in snow).
3. Turn slowly and never brake when turning (brake before turning)

We are not in Quebec and snow in Onario is very managable to drive in all season tire.

Peace by TK

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I am a Gents and not a Ladies.

Thanks TK ,

I do have snow tires and do take precautions while driving but thought if it was worth to put a couple of sandbags in the boot .... I guess I will try it as there s no harm in that .

Winter driving is something different that new immigrants need to adapt to . Road conditions are very different and one keeps on hearing horror stories .

A valid thing my instructor told me once was - if you want to experience controlled skids , go to an empty parking lot , try to simulate a skid and then learn how to control your car .... Anyways that besides the original post ... I hope we have a winter / driving tips sticky thread as it can be useful for new drivers .

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Fido.

People with rear wheel drive cars and especially pick-up trucks use sand bags to improve traction and control. As you can appreciate, pick-ups do not have much weight on the rear axles.

Placement of these bags is critical too. They have to be on top of the rear axle or further up towards the front past the axle. Placing them behind the axle will create a driving hazard called over-steer. It is the same effect as jack-knife in articulated trucks like semi-trucks.

In front wheel drive vehicles, the sand bags have ZERO positive effect and creates the same potential for over-steer. There is no need for traction in the rear wheels because they follow the momentum of the vehicle. The weight in the front wheel drive cars is where it should be - in the front. That is why it is generally accepted that front wheel drive vehicle are better to handle in slippery driving.

So the idea of sandbags is as out-dated as the rear wheel drive passenger cars.

V

I totally concur and second Big Vee's comments. Putting sandbags in the trunk for front wheel drives is a moot point.

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If you have a gun, you can rob a bank.
If you have a bank, you can rob everyone.
- Bill Maher

Quote:

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Originally posted by Fido

Thanks TK ,

IA valid thing my instructor told me once was - if you want to experience controlled skids , go to an empty parking lot , try to simulate a skid and then learn how to control your car .... Anyways that besides the original post ... I hope we have a winter / driving tips sticky thread as it can be useful for new drivers .

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Guys ,

Thanks a lot ... I have put the innovative ideas to complete rest ... .

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Fido.