29-11-2021, 07:24 PM
(This post was last modified: 29-11-2021, 07:25 PM by David Stepney.)
(29-11-2021, 12:23 PM)Reckless Rat Wrote: There is a misconception that if you drive a 4x4 you are immune to the effects of adverse road and weather conditions. It is true that generally, traction is improved by having all four wheels driven, but it doesn't automatically manifest in similar improvements to braking and/or steering. The defining factor is the grip (or lack of it) between the tyres and the road surface.
Past experience with collisions involving numpties driving 4x4s usually just means that you crash faster, and with more serious consequences.
Fortunately, Bruce, I was driving to the prevailing road and weather conditions and was travelling less that 30 mph when the car (a Panda 4x4 on winter tyres) lost grip on the road covered in hailstones as big as marbles. I estimate that I hit the edge of the road at about 15mph, no more. There is no panel damage, just the front plastic bumper and the front wishbone, which broke off at the ball joint, so the car is eminently repairable
I replaced my Polo with the smallest and most economical 4x4 I could find simply because, where I live it is easy to get completely cut off in winter weather and the Landrover is somewhat greedy with diesel (currently £1.56 per litre locally) and is used only for the heavy fetching and carrying.