General comments on driving on ice and snow.
1) If you can get away with it, don't drive.
2) Always drive very gently and keep in mind stopping is often MORE important than starting. No sudden changes in speed or direction. Gradual turns, gradual stops, plan way ahead. Don't panic.
3) Traction tires are good. Front and rear is best. Chains or cables are really good when things get so bad you shouldn't be out there. Be sure to check tire clearance before you buy some.
4) Wet ice is deadly, either stay at home or definitely use traction devices.
5) Steer clear of people going to fast or making suddens moves, sooner or later you will pass them on the side of the road.
I have driven front(4) and rear(6) drive cars and 1 4x4 in snow and ice. If you drive very gently, you can drive either type just fine. My three most recent vehicles in snow were an 89 SHO fwd car, a 94 F250 4x4, and a 96 Impala SS rwd car. I have not driven the LS in snow yet, and since I live in So Cal now, it is unlikely.
All work fine in ice and snow as long as I went slow. I often was able to get up small hills in big fat street tires because I feathered the gas instead of hit it like normal. For daily commuting I had either studded tires(SHO) or Blizzaks(SS) when winter got nasty, but once in awhile I got caught with street tires and did fine. I commuted 30 miles each way and never slid off into the woods except once in my driveway when I couldn't get the SHO with studs to turn into the drive. I foolishly listened to the wife who said, "build up some momentum and then turn", duh.
The truck was OK on snowy roads, even towing a 30 foot trailer, with just street tires. I went real slow. Only time I was sliding with the truck was one night when we had a really bad ice storm and no matter how slow you went, the truck had that creepy feeling of gently sliding sideways a foot or two, or down hill at crawling speed. 4 Low seems to help in really nasty stuff.
Braking is usually where people blow it. People forget that even though you can drive and turn, doesn't mean you can stop. It isn't important to pass the rest of the bozos, just keep an eye on them since they are the ones who might slide into you.
What ever you do, don't stop and park your car on the highway. I don't know why people do this, but it makes things more dangerous for the rest of us who are still moving.
Good Luck, Slow and steady.
Jim Henderson
