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3CorsaMeal

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Registered: 11th Apr 02
User status: Offline

21st Dec 10 at 11:58

i always been told its the thing to do if stuck, but am now being told its dangerous and illegal?

I haven't had to do it this year, but carry a tyre inflator with me, so if i get stuck on a hill or something i can try going down to a low psi and then inflating tyres again once across the ice.

Anyone have any thoughts on this? what sort of psi would you go down to?

Jake

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Registered: 24th Jan 05
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21st Dec 10 at 11:59

is this in the corrado?

3CorsaMeal

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Registered: 11th Apr 02
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21st Dec 10 at 11:59

from the AA

"•Don't reduce tyre pressures to get more grip – it doesn't work, and reduces stability"

deano87

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Registered: 21st Oct 06
Location: Bedfordshire Drives: Ford Fiesta
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21st Dec 10 at 11:59

I'd say you're better off taking a shovel with you to dig your way out.

3CorsaMeal

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Registered: 11th Apr 02
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21st Dec 10 at 11:59

quote:
Originally posted by jake
is this in the corrado?

escort.

haven't used corrado for about 2 months and won't be for another few months

scoob

Premium Member

Registered: 16th Oct 03
Location: Beverley, E Riding of Yorkshire
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21st Dec 10 at 12:00

i just carry a women with me to dig me out, worked so far

Jake

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Registered: 24th Jan 05
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21st Dec 10 at 12:00

pussy. vr6 is good for all weather conditions. back end steps out easy though

alan-g-w

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Registered: 9th Nov 07
Location: Glasgow
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21st Dec 10 at 12:01

I'd deflate them to about 15 psi, but only if I was driving over constant heavy snow. If it's just for the roads that have already been driven on just man up.

3CorsaMeal

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Registered: 11th Apr 02
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21st Dec 10 at 12:02

quote:
Originally posted by jake
pussy. vr6 is good for all weather conditions. back end steps out easy though

i got stuck a few winters ago on a very slight incline, i just couldn't pull away and all these other people had to stop, then drive around me like normal

not sure if this was some sort of traction control fault or what, but didn't like it

Jake

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Registered: 24th Jan 05
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21st Dec 10 at 12:04

you were revving the tits out of it with your hand down your pants more than likely. let the engine do the work and its alright.

suppose having the escort means it wont be so bad if some mongoloidz slides into you

3CorsaMeal

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Registered: 11th Apr 02
User status: Offline

21st Dec 10 at 12:08

quote:
Originally posted by jake
you were revving the tits out of it with your hand down your pants more than likely. let the engine do the work and its alright.

suppose having the escort means it wont be so bad if some mongoloidz slides into you

i was trying proper hard to get grip, using no accelerator, just the clutch, tried getting half on a grass verge too, and it wasn't even that icy, i really don't know and still can't fathom how i got stuck

yes is ideal for the escort, i did a handbrake turn the other day, parked up, put handbrake on, then car rolled backwards into a wall/fence, think the cable may of stretched

Member

Registered: 5th Jul 00
Location: Aberdeen City
User status: Offline

21st Dec 10 at 12:11

I think the AA and such like are referring to folk NOT re-inflating once they are out.

If stuck, and you cannot get out at all (tried digging, grit/salt etc etc) then I cant see the harm.... but of course you need to reinflate.

You also have to remember that it will lower the ground clearance

[Edited on 21-12-2010 by AK]

Graham88

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Registered: 16th Apr 07
Location: South East Kent Drives: E46 M3
User status: Offline

21st Dec 10 at 12:19

I put my Transit tyres down to try and get up a hill. But when doing 50mph down a duel carriageway couldn't figure out why the back of the van was bouncing all over the place until I remembered what I'd done. They were at 10psi and meant to be 70

So yeah I'd say it's more the fact it's easy to forget to put them back up when on normal roads

Gareth F

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Registered: 16th Jan 08
Location: Location Location
User status: Offline

21st Dec 10 at 12:27

quote:
Originally posted by 3CorsaMeal
from the AA

"•Don't reduce tyre pressures to get more grip – it doesn't work, and reduces stability"

Bulshit, i done it last year. Full psi i couldnt get out of my parking space so ran on 18 psi on the front and it worked perfectly. Yes is reduces stability but i was driving 15mph to work

Obviously driving 60mph on tarmac with 18 psi would be pointless and dangerous.

Sam

Moderator
Premium Member

Registered: 24th Dec 99
Location: West Midlands
User status: Offline

21st Dec 10 at 16:06

You can lower your tyre pressure to get more grip/traction on snow and ice - only lower it a bit though, not like 80% less of what tyre pressure you'd normally have though

People lower tyre pressures really low to help their 4x4s when they are stuck in desert sand for example.

Ray Mears FTW

richc

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Registered: 24th Mar 07
Location: Ilkeston
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21st Dec 10 at 16:53

Why do you think all the land cruiser boys drop to literally 7 psi (sometimes comes off the rim) in the Icelandic glaciers?

Warren G

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Registered: 14th May 06
Location: Kent
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21st Dec 10 at 21:41

why do you think rally cars use thin tyres.....

lowering tyre pressure makes the tyre wider...

Member

Registered: 5th Jul 00
Location: Aberdeen City
User status: Offline

21st Dec 10 at 21:42

..... and longer

alan-g-w

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Registered: 9th Nov 07
Location: Glasgow
User status: Offline

22nd Dec 10 at 11:55

quote:
Originally posted by richc
Why do you think all the land cruiser boys drop to literally 7 psi (sometimes comes off the rim) in the Icelandic glaciers?

Because they're driving 3 tonne 4x4s over about 3 feet of snow...?

Can't compare a Land Cruiser in Iceland to an Escort in Essex

Leighton

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Registered: 21st Feb 01
Location: Liverpool
User status: Offline

22nd Dec 10 at 12:13

I have 18" rims there is not that much tyre to flatten and run flats, low tire pressures are not good at all

Scotty_B

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Registered: 11th Jun 03
Location: East Kilbride
User status: Offline

22nd Dec 10 at 14:16

Low tyre pressures.

Watching to much Top Gear. Hardly the Artic is it.

Member

Registered: 5th Jul 00
Location: Aberdeen City
User status: Offline

22nd Dec 10 at 15:03

..... no but if you are stuck and there isnt much else left to try..... and it works why laugh

Ian

Site Administrator

Registered: 28th Aug 99
Location: Liverpool
User status: Offline

22nd Dec 10 at 15:11

If it softens the tyre, you will have a larger contact patch with the ground, and therefore more tread to use. Less ground pressure but I would trade that off for tyre pattern particularly if the ground is already rough.

Rally cars use thin tyres on snow because the tread is already designed with that in mind, the compound will be softer which gives you similar results and they don't want to compromise on ground pressure.

Soft tyres on snow is a good idea but the AA advice is designed for dickheads who would either get it wrong or not put it back and then get on a motorway and do 85 mph 10 minutes later.

sc0ott

Member

Registered: 16th Feb 09
User status: Offline

22nd Dec 10 at 15:24

I normally just carry a spade in the boot and a flask full of tea, that way if i get stuck the spade can dig me out whilst i drink my tea.

that was a joke btw. i dont actually carry a spade or tea.

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