PSA: Park + Parking Brake ≠ Car not moving

[Gullwingdmc]

Well this was terrifying. I cleared my driveway of the little snow we got last night, then pulled my car out of the garage to re-arrange the snowblower and lawn mower. The car alarm going off got my attention as my car slid down the driveway. The rear wheels were not spinning, just sliding. The front wheels were free spinning though.

Before anyone comments the obvious, yes I know I would not have been able to stop the car by hand, but in the moment instinct was to at least try.

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[Mach-Lee]

Man, you might need some better tires on that thing.

 

[Gullwingdmc]

Man, you might need some better tires on that thing.

Yeah I don’t know if that would have made a difference. The snow was just packed down in that area so it was basically ice I guess. Short of studded tires I don’t know if any other type of tire would have faired better.

 

[Mach-Lee]

Yeah I don’t know if that would have made a difference. The snow was just packed down in that area so it was basically ice I guess. Short of studded tires I don’t know if any other type of tire would have faired better.

Snow tires will drag more due to all the sipes bending over and grabbing. They do better on slush/ice like that. Otherwise you probably want to salt or grit those ice tracks. I always try to snowblow before driving on it whenever possible so the snow doesn’t get packed down.

 

[macchiaz-o]

Pretty sweet that the car alarm triggered and got your attention. That is an example of very good UI.

 

[RickMachE]

Years ago we had a very steep short driveway at a rental condo we lived in. Awoke one morning to find our car in the street. Ran out and fell on my butt. Ice everywhere, built up under the tires and it simply slid away. Doesn't matter if brake is set, all 4 wheels are locked, ice is ice, and gravity wins.

 

[Gullwingdmc]

Years ago we had a very steep short driveway at a rental condo we lived in. Awoke one morning to find our car in the street. Ran out and fell on my butt. Ice everywhere, built up under the tires and it simply slid away. Doesn't matter if brake is set, all 4 wheels are locked, ice is ice, and gravity wins.

I’ve had other cars slide a little over time in this driveway, but this was the first time it slid far, fast.

 

[dtbaker61]

Well this was terrifying. I cleared my driveway of the little snow we got last night, then pulled my car out of the garage to re-arrange the snowblower and lawn mower. The car alarm going off got my attention as my car slid down the driveway. The rear wheels were not spinning, just sliding. The front wheels were free spinning though.

YIKES!

When I lived in Chicago area, I used to have a small sandbag (made from a section of an innertube) in the car I could take out and 'chock' a wheel on a steep driveway during ice storms, and/or open in emergency to spread the sand when needed.

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