Snow Driving - automatic or manual
 

Really unsure about where to post this; please redirect to lounge or wherever if appropriate!!
If OH & MIL make it onto the road at all (heading for Malaga to be here for Xmas is the plan) he'll be driving Taunton-Bristol, mostly motorway which as of this morning was one lane only each way, in his automatic Jaguar XK (I think:o, big saloon!)
He's none too keen on driving in dodgy conditions so I thought I'd prepare for the conversation about how to drive most safely by asking anyone whether being in automatic or 'manual' would be better; I think I predict it'll be manual but I wanted to be sure!
I'm sure I'm not the only one, but if they make it BRS-AGP then there's son#1 from LGW Thursday & DD from STN Sunday all braving the elements - oh the delights of international families!

Re: Snow Driving - automatic or manual
 

Not seen the news? Tractor.... thats my advise.

Re: Snow Driving - automatic or manual
 

Yes yes I know (used to live a few miles S of Taunton Deane Services!) but hey ho he's showing willing! Sitting in car with laptop looking at 18deg on thermometer, btw:sneaky:

Re: Snow Driving - automatic or manual
 

Yeah yeah yeaah.... you can keep the weather at the moment, it snowed A LOT last night and nothing can compare to snow!

Yeah the local news gave quite dire warnings about the Taunton area.

Re: Snow Driving - automatic or manual
 

Not sure about manual/auto - powerful rear wheel drive car is about as bad as it gets really.:unsure:

Will he really be on motorway most of the way? He'll probably get the A38 from Highbridge - but that's a pretty major road - it should have been treated.:fingerscrossed:

Re: Snow Driving - automatic or manual
 

Manuals are far better to control than auto's. Auto's tend to spin their wheels as you put your foot down. With a manual you can control that by balancing the clutch in and out for grip.

Re: Snow Driving - automatic or manual
 

Manual is better for initial take away, thereafter it doesn't really matter. The jag has the option to manual shift.

If you had thought about it earlier he could have fitted some winter tyres or Autosocks. I doubt he will be able to get them now?

Autosocks > http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uE4yRQlXG2M

and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYgnk...1&feature=fvwp

Re: Snow Driving - automatic or manual
 

Or let the tyres down a bit. ;);)

Re: Snow Driving - automatic or manual
 

It does not really matter, but tires in good shape is essential. As a soft handle of the car.
Before I moved to Spain I lived in the norhern Sweden and got a lot of experience of snow and Ice. I soon realised that 4 wheel drive vas the best, but only if its used whith precaution. You do not brake quicker with it and you cant take the corners in much higher speed and still stay on the road.

Re: Snow Driving - automatic or manual
 

Thanks all Can't report on HOW he did it, but he got to the airport; however Taunton was taken out of the equation by the snow being worse down there so it being left to a cabbie to do the long haul with suegra & he 'only' had to get to BRS from Cirencester! I know he got there because he texted a while back
NOW we wait to see if they actually leave the country!
ps couldn't report sooner - heavens opened & internet disappeared!

pps I know all about 4wd not necessarily having all the answers - I have a horrendous right hand 1 in 3 uphill hairpin on a 4-way junction (yes really all of those!) to negotiate on the school run & after rain you'd love to put on 4wd & cruise it - but of course that makes the turning circle somewhat bigger & I'd be taking out all the downhill traffic even more than usual!!!!