Open Thread

A lot of the SUV in snow stuff has to do with some items not even discussed.

The main thing is tires. Those super-wide tires on those big SUVs are exactly the opposite of what you want. In snow, skinny tires are preferable to fat tires. Which is why Suburu’s beat Escalades. Fat tires ‘float’ on the snow (think dune buggies). Skinny tires have more weight per tire, so they sink in the snow a bit and grip it better.

That’s why skiers used to drive FWD Saabs before AWD widely available.

AWD also can make you over-confident… when you’re driving faster than everyone else in the snow cuz you have AWD, you think you can stop, but you can’t stop any faster than the guy in the Cadillac. As a cop who investigates a lot of slide-off-the-road accidents in Westchester once told me, once you lose control of a big SUV, you’re just in an 8000 pound toboggan.

Those stupid ass big honking American SUVS like Expedition are worthless for everything… Ford Expedition ground clearance 8.7 inches, BMW X5 8.3 inches. Less than half an inch. If I had to own a truck, which I wouldn’t, I’d take an X5 any day.

Ishtar, some real CARS come with manual trannies too, which also are a big help in the snow. lol…

“By daveinbedstuy on January 27, 2011 1:11 PM
It was in a little hole-in-the-wall restaurant and turned out to be one of the most memorable meals I’ve ever had.”

Glory hole-in-the-wall?

Dona, a way-too-belated best wishes for continued good news re: your parents. Thanks for sharing.

Donatella – Glad you hear about your dad. I hope your mom is feeling better.

“how about a discourse on maps and topography of the tri-state area?”

Please save that for the days I’m totally swamped.