today was my first time driving in snow, and i just discovered how exhilarating it is. Yes ABS saved my a** like 5 times today, and i'm glad i have it.

one question though, my TCS system went on so much today, and made loud noises, what is it doing, exactly, and do you think i would be better off turning it off?

 

As you said, it's saving your ass when it makes those noises.
No, I would not advise turning it off, but I would recommend you buy a flamesuit.
Good luck!

 

I believe that it prevent the wheels from spinning by activating the ABS.
Take it slow in the snow, don't make sudden, sharp turns.

 

The TCS on your car senses wheel speed and activates the brake on the faster wheel- on and off quickly like the ABS does. It means you are trying to get traction too fast for the conditions and less gas pedal will help. Try starting in D2 for less torque and wheelspin.
It only works up to 16mph and disconnects

The ABS brakes sense wheel speed differance and apply and release a caliper or more to get them equal- this will make stopping distance longer than if you just brakes a little bit less and remain in control
Read the owner book for more driving tips from Acura
https://techinfo.honda.com/rjanisis/...01_OMANUAL.asp

 

Go slow and make calculated moves. When you need to start slowing down, don't just go on the brakes like you usually do (don't slam on them). Leave a good amount of space between you and the car in front of you because their tires might slip when they start to move again, and if you've already starting moving, you could rear end them. When you start moving again, go very easy on the gas and do a gradual acceleration, this will help you keep from slipping your wheels. If the snow is deep, try not to come to a stop at a light, if possible, just slow down way ahead of time and creep towards the light so hopefully by the time you get there, it'll turn green and you won't have to stop.

Above all, go slow and try not to get nervous. Easier said than done when you're sliding in the snow, but that's when you'll appreciate being calm. Also, try to anticipate other drivers' moves....someone will always do something stupid and screw everyone else up.

 

Go slow and plan your stops ahead of time. Dont take corners too fast.
The noise you hear is because your giving it too much gas and causing the tires to spin. Its teh TCS trying to limit the amount of wheel spin. leave it on

 

basically, don't drive like an idiot. immitate the granny who drives the grand marquis who pisses you off when there's no snow.

you don't know nothin about granny. she's got forumla 1 snow skillz.

 

Yeah, definetly plan ahead for stops, curves, etc. Leave plenty of distance between you and cars ahead.

Going uphill if slippery, try to have some momentum when you get to the hill so you don't have to accelerate (and then slip) as hard going up.

When you first go out, pick a safe place to hit the brakes at, say, 10 or 15 mph so you can feel how slick it is.

Try not to hit the brakes in turns, if you have to apply them gently and gradually.

Be careful changing lanes. Snow piles up and ice forms in between lanes - be careful when you cross over.

In newer snow, follow in the tire marks of the car ahead of you - better traction.

Find an open area - parking lot or something - and slide around some. Learn how the car reacts and how to control the car in low traction.

 

move to TEXAS. we dont ever see snow. so now winter beater and get to run summer tires year around.

 

Like others said, start out in D2, gives you much better traction than D1. I realize it kills mileage to have to keep it in D2 for a long time, but it makes me feel safer, and I hate the noise TCS makes haha.

 

dont crash! if you dont need to drive dont its not worth it

 

dont drive in D2, start out in it (because it starts the car in 2nd) once moving simply pop it back up to 4th or 5th. Come to a stop put it back into 2nd

 

ive never driven in the snow, how bad is it really. and actually now that i think of it ive only seen snow once in my life. i have on the other hand seen 130 degree day so much that i cant even count

 

yeah i should be more careful driving in snow. it's just so tempting to try and drift a turn or see how well your ABS works, but I will definitely try and be more careful.

 

The design INTENT of ABS is that when you hit the brakes AND need to steer away from an object, you will be able to do so while under braking
Th eengineers call it stomp and steer
It does not stop the car faster in any conditions, and will only ensure you slide thru the intersection in a fairly straight line.
It will help when one side of the car has more traction, like a line of ice on the road.

Invest in a snow driving class, look in the phone book for driver schools

 

X2 - There's nothing as calming to me as driving in the snow (esp in 4wd), but remember, these are heavy cars (and my wife's doesn't have all season tires), and they slide like crazy. I like to test the slickness of a road - when nobody else is around - by pushing on the brakes like an urgent stop. If I slide, I slow it waaaaaaay down. Also, if you slide on takeoff, you're going to slide at a red light or when someone slides in front of you. Keep your eyes open and on the road, and anticipate other drivers' actions. Just remember, everyone else is an idiot and plan accordingly. Don't turn off your TCS, it's there to help, and that sound is not hurting anything.

Yay! It started snowing again!!! Good old Utah snow.

 

well its been snowing here since the end of september I think and I dont mind drining in the snow. the only thing that scares me is the other drivers. I dont know what they are thinking and what they are gonna do next. taking todays example, old b***h decides to stomp on her breaks for no apparent reason and almost caused a 5-6 car pile-up. if I had followed her just a little bit closer I wouldnt have been able to avoid her.
just kep your distance and drive within the speed limits or slower, depending on the road conditions.

 

Where at? Not in Houston? Just curious

 

If you do find yourself sliding while the brakes are fully applied take your foot off the brake and steer. You may not slow down but you'll be able to avoid say a tree, or possibly even the car in front of you.

 

ditto -- i pretty much take my foot of the brake and start steering like (because) my life depended on it

 

As I said- the INTENT of the ABS is that you can go full on with the brake pedal AND turn the wheel at the same time!!

~if not on ice~ the car will respond to your inputs

If the wheels are locked up- there is something wrong with the ABS- have it checked

 

I agree with you, but beg to differ on whether the car will actually go in the direction you want it to. In snow & icy conditions you will slide and ABS isn't going to help you one bit. It might help a little, but taking your foot off the brake in a situation where your going to hit something and steering should be number one on your list of things to do.

 

Phylly Fresh,

Driving on snow is just like driving on Ice. Houston, never mind. Wait, didn't y'all get some snow 4 years ago when it snowed in Corpus on Christmas?

Driving on the snow or ice is a different experience. Turning the steering wheel full lock and the car still going straight is part of the deal, as is stepping on the brakes and the car not slowing down. With ABS it is much better, but it stoping takes much longer. Think of aquaplaning that never ends.

Take your time, stay smooth, keep off the brakes. When in doubt, wait for the snowplow.

Miner

 

go to sears or target or something with a huge ass parking lot at night after close. let loose the fury of your vtec and learn snow characteristics of your car in the snow. make a small bump out of snow, run at it, slam brakes and try to avoid it. learn snow emergencies. this is at low speeds of course, dont rage around at 50 miles an hour. if a cop stops you, just tell him ur taking preventive measures.
and sure to carry stuff in case you do get stuck. cat litter, salt, flashlights and blankets and all that goodies.

 

When these happen, it's a sick feeling the pit of your stomach that can lead to some real "Oh Shit!!" moments.

Philly Fresh, it's really not so bad. You've just got to adapt your driving to the conditions. It takes some practice and some experience.

to the kitty litter (or dog food), blankets, flashlight, etc.

 

yeah and thats further down south like 6hrs. my girl is from lake jackson and they got a bunch of snow christmas. weve gotten flakes but not really anything close to snow. rain we do get alot of. props to all you guys that drive in snow all the time. im sure thats got to be intense.

 

Remember to be extra diligent on those overpasses & bridges. They don't have any insulation underneath and therefore tend to be more slick than other road surfaces.

Crickette

 

a VERY good point. those things are dangerous especially if you don know about it and you go over an overpass the same speed as you did before. very deadly