# Some timely advice for the less-mature drivers **URL:** \ **Category:** General Discussion\ **Created:** [January 25, 2026, 2:40pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/some-timely-advice-for-the-less-mature-drivers/204933 "2026-01-25T14:40:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2026, 2:40pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/some-timely-advice-for-the-less-mature-drivers/204933/1 "2026-01-25T14:40:01Z")
![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/d/2/d2eb4c6bf8415a052dffad1fc1f272234f9da2fd.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![oldnotdeadyet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a6a055/32.png) [@oldnotdeadyet](https://community.cartalk.com/u/oldnotdeadyet)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2026, 3:43pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/some-timely-advice-for-the-less-mature-drivers/204933/2 "2026-01-25T15:43:31Z")
I have a question for those EV drivers. Does the high torque at zero RPM make the EV difficult to get moving on an icy street? ---
**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2026, 3:57pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/some-timely-advice-for-the-less-mature-drivers/204933/3 "2026-01-25T15:57:33Z")
> [@oldnotdeadyet](#): > > Does the high torque at zero RPM make the EV difficult to get moving on an icy street? I’ll wait for JT Sanders and other EV owners to provide a full answer, but I can tell you that with my PHEV–which is driven as an EV 90% of the time–I have never experienced a loss of traction. But, I do drive it in “Eco” mode most of the time, which reduces throttle response. And–of course–it has traction control and stability control, plus my _Michelin Cross-Country 2_ tires are excellent in winter conditions. ---
**Author:** ![asemaster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@asemaster](https://community.cartalk.com/u/asemaster)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2026, 4:15pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/some-timely-advice-for-the-less-mature-drivers/204933/4 "2026-01-25T16:15:43Z")
> [@oldnotdeadyet](#): > > Does the high torque at zero RPM make the EV difficult to get moving on an icy street? The car can stop a wheel from turning as easily as it can start it. Just because all the torque is available doesn’t mean the car applies it. ABS and Traction Control are required on all modern cars, not just EV’s. ---
**Author:** ![TwinTurbo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8baadc/32.png) [@TwinTurbo](https://community.cartalk.com/u/TwinTurbo)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2026, 4:45pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/some-timely-advice-for-the-less-mature-drivers/204933/5 "2026-01-25T16:45:12Z")
I have a HEV with eCVT, traction control and AWD. It is probably the most sure footed vehicle I have ever had even on all season tires. ---
**Author:** ![jtsanders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c2a13f/32.png) [@jtsanders](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jtsanders)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2026, 5:50pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/some-timely-advice-for-the-less-mature-drivers/204933/6 "2026-01-25T17:50:26Z")
I don’t have problems on slick roads. Then again, we haven’t had much snow/ice since I started driving the 2/28/2023. I have no reason to drive now while we experience snow/sleet and freezing rain. ---
**Author:** ![johnlump\_191311](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/47e85d/32.png) [@johnlump\_191311](https://community.cartalk.com/u/johnlump_191311)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2026, 6:37pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/some-timely-advice-for-the-less-mature-drivers/204933/7 "2026-01-25T18:37:05Z")
> [@oldnotdeadyet](#): > > I have a question for those EV drivers. Does the high torque at zero RPM make the EV difficult to get moving on an icy street? Same as a gas car. Only if you have a lead foot. ---
**Author:** ![Beancounter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/59ef9b/32.png) [@Beancounter](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Beancounter)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2026, 9:49pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/some-timely-advice-for-the-less-mature-drivers/204933/8 "2026-01-25T21:49:58Z")
Back here in the MId Atlantic I find it “amusing” that Northern drivers don’t appreciate that it’s not the inch of snow that matters but the glaze of ice under the snow. You may have great Winter tires but nothing but studs tracks on ice. ---
**Author:** ![oldtimer-11](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e79b87/32.png) [@oldtimer-11](https://community.cartalk.com/u/oldtimer-11)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2026, 4:27am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/some-timely-advice-for-the-less-mature-drivers/204933/9 "2026-01-26T04:27:52Z")
That depends on the temperature of the black ice. At 25 below it has pretty good traction especially with good winter compound tires. ---
**Author:** ![TwinTurbo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8baadc/32.png) [@TwinTurbo](https://community.cartalk.com/u/TwinTurbo)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2026, 1:30pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/some-timely-advice-for-the-less-mature-drivers/204933/10 "2026-01-26T13:30:25Z")
I’ve posted a dozen times about the greater risk of ice formation around here than snow. Ice happens nearly every night whereas snow is less likely to occur. Northeastern suburban and rural roads are very skinny with large oaks and pines 12" from the edge of the pavement. The pucker factor is high in these parts. There’s a few people on my road running studded tires as they are legal here. But good winter tires are very effective as well. I bought some for my Camry for the first time some years back and the traction they provided was nothing short of amazing. They never lost traction in the worst conditions. And they don’t make that annoying noise going down the road 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Purebred](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/purebred/32/46796_2.png) [@Purebred](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Purebred)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2026, 2:09pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/some-timely-advice-for-the-less-mature-drivers/204933/11 "2026-01-26T14:09:40Z")
It’s in the catagory of an old ‘less-mature’ driver. On my previous Mustang the traction control light would show it was engaged, did not make much difference. My **guess** Ford made it less intrusive on Mustangs than on their grocery getter/soccer mom vehicles. ---
**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2026, 2:50pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/some-timely-advice-for-the-less-mature-drivers/204933/12 "2026-01-26T14:50:55Z")
> [@TwinTurbo](#): > > But good winter tires are very effective as well +1 When I first switched to dedicated winter tires (Michelin Arctic Alpine), the improvement in traction–even on icy surfaces–was amazing. And, perhaps the most important part was a significant reduction in stopping distances on winter road surfaces. Later, when I bought Michelin’s X-Ice tires, they were even better than the earlier Arctic Alpines. Nowadays, I don’t have to drive in the worst conditions, but–so far–I’m very pleased with my Michelin Cross-Climate 2 tires. This morning, my friend had to drive to work over roads that had not been salted, due to a drastic shortage of rock salt in this area (only main roads are salted, and side roads and streets are not treated), and he reported no problems getting there in his Forester, shod with Michelin Cross-Climate 2 tires. It did take him about twice as long as usual to get to work, but he said that he never lost traction. ---
**Author:** ![jtsanders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c2a13f/32.png) [@jtsanders](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jtsanders)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2026, 3:31pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/some-timely-advice-for-the-less-mature-drivers/204933/13 "2026-01-26T15:31:02Z")
Love that ice. We cleared the driveway with the snow blower yesterday. When we went out this morning, there’s 4” of ice on the driveway, no snow underneath. Our friend across the street didn’t use the snow blower until this morning. She was able to clear her driveway. ---
**Author:** ![TwinTurbo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8baadc/32.png) [@TwinTurbo](https://community.cartalk.com/u/TwinTurbo)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2026, 6:31pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/some-timely-advice-for-the-less-mature-drivers/204933/14 "2026-01-27T18:31:03Z")
> [@jtsanders](#): > > When we went out this morning, there’s 4” of ice on the driveway, no snow underneath. Our friend across the street didn’t use the snow blower until this morning. She was able to clear her driveway. This is something I wrestle with every storm. If you clean up early and it rains/sleets and then freezes, you get a glacier. If you wait, sometimes it just makes a crust on the snow. But sometimes, it turns into a slush layer that freezes and it’s another glacier situation that is even harder to clean up. One time I had to live with a frozen slush, rutted up mess for two weeks until it thawed again. Since then I take my chances with the ice. At least then I can use salt… We got 18-20" here. Took me 13 hours to clear it all including 5 ft drifts on roof that needed to be dealt with. Every door was completely blocked with drifts. Here’s one- ![mudroom](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/9/0/90c86f49f8b10a2b3dbca0f142c1f48f507f493b.jpeg) Oh, and a 4" dusting this morning too. So around 2 ft all said and done. ---
**Author:** ![davesmopar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/davesmopar/32/41750_2.png) [@davesmopar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/davesmopar)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2026, 7:11pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/some-timely-advice-for-the-less-mature-drivers/204933/15 "2026-01-27T19:11:56Z")
Here is the stuff I have to deal with now… The power lines are normally above the roof line and are hanging over 5 feet lower than normal, should be an incline going from above the roof to the pole… Can’t do anything with it until the power company clears the very large tree branches off the power lines 1st… ![Screenshot 2026-01-26 091130](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/d/9/d9896df41cb7827abb4a75010fe2c691caa04edd.jpeg) My poor Pine trees, they look pitiful now… ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/f/a/fa1ddb28e833b3eb6bfb9d66dfcce5274d80a9f4.jpeg) The tree in the back ground in the neighbors yard lost 2 of the 3 main base branches, are now on the ground… I have 6 damaged trees from the ice storm… We just ain’t setup to handle that much ice, we had over 1/2"… I have probably 50+ branches hanging (broken) or laying on the ground and most are 15’ to 20’ branches… Yes we were one of the ones that lost power in TN, 15 hours with no power, used the gas logs fireplace to stay warm… You guys up north can keep this c r a p… We were hoping for the 15-22" of snow they said we might get at 1st, but noooo, we got 4" and then ice on top of it… 🤣 ---
**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2026, 7:31pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/some-timely-advice-for-the-less-mature-drivers/204933/16 "2026-01-27T19:31:31Z")
Sorry to hear that. We were worried about ice, but just got 2” or so of sleet. Of course, it’s now like concrete, but no major power outages, unlike 2021. I’ll try chipping away at it in a bit. ---
**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2026, 7:38pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/some-timely-advice-for-the-less-mature-drivers/204933/17 "2026-01-27T19:38:44Z")
> [@TwinTurbo](#): > > If you wait, sometimes it just makes a crust on the snow. +1 Quite a few years ago, my neighbor couldn’t motivate his teenage son to use the snowblower as soon as the snow stopped, or even on the next day. By the time that they decided to attack the accumulation, it had frozen so hard that the snowblower was useless. > [@TwinTurbo](#): > > At least then I can use salt… I am rationing my remaining salt supply right now, because there is a major shortage of it in The Northeast. After using the snowblower yesterday, I put down a narrow trail of sand so that I can walk to my mailbox without breaking any bones. Hopefully, I will be able to get more salt… soon… especially since there is the potential for another storm Saturday night-Sunday morning. To keep things on an automotive note, some of the places where I drove today had not been plowed, and my Michelin Cross-Climate 2 tires provided incredibly-good traction, with no loss of traction at any time. ---
**Author:** ![sophiasmithastri\_196134](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/sophiasmithastri_196134/32/46620_2.png) [@sophiasmithastri\_196134](https://community.cartalk.com/u/sophiasmithastri_196134)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2026, 8:30pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/some-timely-advice-for-the-less-mature-drivers/204933/18 "2026-01-27T20:30:07Z")
I like this reminder because most **young driver** problems start with impatience, not bad skill. On slick roads the torque is not the issue if you use a light foot and let traction control do its job. Good winter tires and extra following distance matter more than what powers the car. ---
**Author:** ![jtsanders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c2a13f/32.png) [@jtsanders](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jtsanders)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2026, 1:14am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/some-timely-advice-for-the-less-mature-drivers/204933/19 "2026-01-28T01:14:08Z")
Our driveway is clear now. Our daughter and her husband came over today. We took care of of their kids and they finished the driveway. We still need to do the sidewalk and dig out a 5 foot wide, 2-foot deep pile of ice in front of the mailbox. Mrs JT said she’d do the sidewalk tomorrow. Since I have heart disease, she won’t let me do it. I will work on the mail box when she goes to her mother’s place tomorrow. I’ll ask for forgiveness later. 😉. ---
**Author:** ![oldtimer-11](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e79b87/32.png) [@oldtimer-11](https://community.cartalk.com/u/oldtimer-11)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2026, 8:15am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/some-timely-advice-for-the-less-mature-drivers/204933/20 "2026-01-28T08:15:56Z")
We only got 12” of snow here, nothing unusual for here. We were all supposed to move our cars so our lot could be plowed. Only one jerk did not move her car. She got the call but refused to do it and the building manager is not given the authority to have it towed. Her parking space is next to mineand there is only one space between ny space and the building and when I got back from the grocery store my spot and hers were the only ones not cleared and I had to shovel mine out. I was very ticked off and piled all the snow I had to move behind her car except what I could shove underneath it. [Next page](https://community.cartalk.com/t/some-timely-advice-for-the-less-mature-drivers/204933.md?page=2)