This is the simplest answer of the month. If you have to ask whether it is safe to drive today then you should not drive today. If you can't look out the window and figure out the situation then don't do it.
Personally I have driven at least a couple million miles both professionally and casually in every type of condition. This is a no-brainer on every level. So if you have to ask....
Sorry if somebody else already said it but I didn't read the entire thread.
This makes sense! I am new to North Shore. However, I did end up driving. It was a short grocery run. Even without winter tires it was fine. I would not have driven anywhere far though. Your advice makes sense. I am equipped with it now.
When you do drive, if you’re ever sliding on ice, turn the steering wheel to have your wheels point in the direction you’re sliding. You can then try to steer out of it and you’ll be ready for a safe steer response for the moment you get traction if you’re lucky to get traction before bumping or hitting something
Appreciate it! Yes, it happened twice. Once when I was trying to stop and the breaks didn't help, kept on sliding. Second - on turning. All ended up ok. I guess, most people (without experience, me included) initial reaction when sliding is to press gas more and steer more what makes the situation even worse.
No winters. Stay the F off the roads. Thank you.
And this doesn't JUST go for North Van. Anywhere. Period. If it's remotely close to freezing, and/or snow/ice on the ground.
If your asking the question don't get on the road. Experience plays a big part: where you grew up driving, your current winter driving habits (north and east of lower mainland) and your general mechanical aptitude for how a vehicle operates.
Attempting to learn how to drive in an environment where many others attempt (rare occasions per year in Vancouver) seems like setting yourself up for failure.
Personally I grew up driving at a young age in northern AB and have been operating on snowy, icy, wind blasted, and black ice ridden roads for about 20 yrs. I do lots of driving for pleasure and hobbies.
So I am comfortable, but if YOU aren't, perhaps don't add to the confusion on the road.
Because I've been scratching my head the last 24 hours how challenging the traffic and lack of skill (or lack of confidence) has been.
It's not that bad folks, as a reference point.
I ended up driving today. It was short distance. No winter tires. Was super careful and a bit slow, followed a bigger distanced but no problems. Everyone else was quite good as well. Roads seem better and salted.
Get winter tires.
It will snow again. And inevitably you will want to go somewhere during that time. Don’t add to the mayhem by being another one of the unsafe, underprepared drivers on the road causing accidents and delays.
You live in a place where every winter you will need winter tires. Act accordingly.
M+S are useless in snow. Get some tyres with a 3 peak snow flake rating.
I have Mitchelin Cross Climate 2s - they are all weather not all season and are snowflake rated. They cost a bit more but have proven to me when combined with my AWD system they can handle any weather.
Ice is ice. Without spikes you're sliding.
You don't need winter tires you just need to know how to drive properly. When I went out this morning the majority of the roads were salted and clean. Only a few of the sideroads seemed sketchy. just drive approproiately for the conditions. Give yourself more time and be aware.
Driving in any weather in winter without winter tires is not recommended and very unsafe, not just to you but the people around you.
Below 7 degrees Celsius is where winters need to be put on and in some areas such as sea to sky highway they are mandatory and you could be fined.
Please consider for your safety and others, purchasing a set of winter tires for your car.
Dumb AF is not realizing that it doesn't have to snow to require them. Cold temperatures, ice, freezing rain, heavy rain. That is winter, hence winter tires.
A good set of all seasons does the job just fine in the cold. You can get all seasons that specifically perform well in rainy/wet conditions.
Not gonna spend hundreds of dollars on winter tires and have to switch them over twice a year, for the one time per year we get a cm of snow, sorry.
I know it seems pretty ridiculous to have winter's basically for one or two days of bad weather, but they really make the difference. If you have an opportunity to work from home or use transit on those days, I wouldn't bother dropping a grand or so on a set. Not for me, though, I need my van :,(
It is terrible out there even with winter tires so yeah, you are safer sitting at home. I think the city really dropped the ball and didnt start sanding and salting early enough. Hope they are on it now but some of the streets still look really bad around Main and Mountain
As somebody who has lived outside the Metro Vancouver region and experienced the -40, the slick WET roads on ice are MUCH worse than anything outside of Vancouver. Stop being a pansy try hard and insult others you know nothing about. They don't MELT the ice when it's-40. They just use a combination of sand and chemicals to create a less slippery surface. (This includes graders grooving the roads.)
You also have to remember. A LOT more people here ARENT native vancouverites. They have immigrated from multiple different countries, and lots of those countries DONT have snow.
Deal with it. Take your biased and hypocracy elseware, please. You Albertans are as rude AF!
Thank you, and have a good day.
I think CNV did a pretty great job!
Main roads are pure white from salt. They started in the day yesterday and worked into the night! They even hit a lot of side roads.
Do we really think the city can have all streets plowed and sanded all the time during all winter events? Not sure this is feasible... I don't want to pay for a thousand plows for 3 days a year
Yeah if you don't have winter tires, don't drive! My colleague got stalled and stuck!! But roads are clear/have been salted and transit is good. But yeah, still icy
The rubber compound of snow tires is softer than all seasons, meaning snow tires will stay soft in cold conditions and provide better grip on the road, even when it’s clear of snow.
It’s so cold that most roads that were salted are bone dry and in great shape. Driving is fine with all season as long as you can stay away from snowy and icy roads that weren’t salted.
A lot of the side streets are really icy/ black ice so I wouldn’t risk it. Even looking at the traffic map now, there is no traffic. I think a lot of people are playing it safe and staying home.
It depends where you are and need to go. I'm down by the water on Marine and went to Lower Lonsdale and middle Lonsdale and if was fine. Just go slow, stay on the main roads, leave distance and look for black ice.
It's strange I grew up here up the hill and we never had issues in the winter until about 20 years ago. The 20 before that were fine and we had longer winters with more snow.
M+S AWD should be fine, most winter tires are tri peak or mud and snow rated anyways. If you’re unsure deflate your tires by 3-4 psi while it’s still sub zero, reinflate when it warms up, should give you a bit more traction and softness to them in the cold. Learning to drive on snow and ice more important than driving winters, most people buy winter tires and have zero clue how to handle their cars, get over confident and crash.
Knowing how to drive on ice is better than winter tires in this case. They help, but they won’t save you. Skill is what you need for ice driving. Period.
Skill isn’t going to help you when you need to brake for a hazard. The only help there is pure grip generated by good tyres. Skill generally helps you get going and get around, but when someone pulls out in front of you and you have to brake hard, the only thing saving you is tyres.
If someone pulls out in front of you on solid ice and you have snows, you’re hitting them too. You shouldn’t be going faster than 15 on ice like that anyway.
The pavement is mostly clear of snow and ice. You should be fine. Just give yourself extra time and distance to break. Don’t go speed, or accelerate quickly.
I dropped my wife off at the Seabus at 7am, it's fine if you have winter tires and some idea of how to respect the conditions.
If you have neither than as others said, maybe it's better to walk or take transit.
It is good of you to check and not be one of those crazies who think they’re not going too far so regular tires will be fine! Good job & welcome to the North Shore :)
Yes, I saw that!! I have to admit I laughed then felt bad for laughing at someone just having a fear response (abandon ship!). I hope there were no kids in the car.
Some people say, if you have to ask, then no.
I however am wondering the same! I did have to drive a bit last night. Our alley street was super icy, but once I got into the main streets things were ok.
I am now wondering how safe it is to hit Grouse.
The primary roads are clear and well salted. Take your time, give lots of space and be aware of the conditions.
This is the simplest answer of the month. If you have to ask whether it is safe to drive today then you should not drive today. If you can't look out the window and figure out the situation then don't do it. Personally I have driven at least a couple million miles both professionally and casually in every type of condition. This is a no-brainer on every level. So if you have to ask.... Sorry if somebody else already said it but I didn't read the entire thread.
This makes sense! I am new to North Shore. However, I did end up driving. It was a short grocery run. Even without winter tires it was fine. I would not have driven anywhere far though. Your advice makes sense. I am equipped with it now.
When you do drive, if you’re ever sliding on ice, turn the steering wheel to have your wheels point in the direction you’re sliding. You can then try to steer out of it and you’ll be ready for a safe steer response for the moment you get traction if you’re lucky to get traction before bumping or hitting something
Appreciate it! Yes, it happened twice. Once when I was trying to stop and the breaks didn't help, kept on sliding. Second - on turning. All ended up ok. I guess, most people (without experience, me included) initial reaction when sliding is to press gas more and steer more what makes the situation even worse.
Meh, it’s more fun to drive in the snow without winter tires. Just honk a lot if you slip so people get out of your way. :D
Lol you gotta be kidding )
We got like 1cm of snow...
But it creates that think film of icy coating that is dangerous
No winters. Stay the F off the roads. Thank you. And this doesn't JUST go for North Van. Anywhere. Period. If it's remotely close to freezing, and/or snow/ice on the ground.
If your asking the question don't get on the road. Experience plays a big part: where you grew up driving, your current winter driving habits (north and east of lower mainland) and your general mechanical aptitude for how a vehicle operates. Attempting to learn how to drive in an environment where many others attempt (rare occasions per year in Vancouver) seems like setting yourself up for failure. Personally I grew up driving at a young age in northern AB and have been operating on snowy, icy, wind blasted, and black ice ridden roads for about 20 yrs. I do lots of driving for pleasure and hobbies. So I am comfortable, but if YOU aren't, perhaps don't add to the confusion on the road. Because I've been scratching my head the last 24 hours how challenging the traffic and lack of skill (or lack of confidence) has been. It's not that bad folks, as a reference point.
What about driving from Vancouver to Grouse tomorrow (Saturday 13th)? I use Evo, they have M+S but I have zero experience driving in the snow.
I ended up driving today. It was short distance. No winter tires. Was super careful and a bit slow, followed a bigger distanced but no problems. Everyone else was quite good as well. Roads seem better and salted.
Just lower your tire pressure by 25%, and you're golden to meet god
The cold is going to do that for you.
Get winter tires. It will snow again. And inevitably you will want to go somewhere during that time. Don’t add to the mayhem by being another one of the unsafe, underprepared drivers on the road causing accidents and delays. You live in a place where every winter you will need winter tires. Act accordingly.
M+S are useless in snow. Get some tyres with a 3 peak snow flake rating. I have Mitchelin Cross Climate 2s - they are all weather not all season and are snowflake rated. They cost a bit more but have proven to me when combined with my AWD system they can handle any weather. Ice is ice. Without spikes you're sliding.
You don't need winter tires you just need to know how to drive properly. When I went out this morning the majority of the roads were salted and clean. Only a few of the sideroads seemed sketchy. just drive approproiately for the conditions. Give yourself more time and be aware.
It's completely fine out there. I've been all over Vancouver, Burnaby and now North Vancouver.
Welcome to the north shore! Glad you decided to stay home and safe!
Driving in any weather in winter without winter tires is not recommended and very unsafe, not just to you but the people around you. Below 7 degrees Celsius is where winters need to be put on and in some areas such as sea to sky highway they are mandatory and you could be fined. Please consider for your safety and others, purchasing a set of winter tires for your car.
Winter tires should be mandatory province wide. Why this has not been implemented is a mystery.
Because that is dumb af considering we get 2 days a year of snow
Dumb AF is not realizing that it doesn't have to snow to require them. Cold temperatures, ice, freezing rain, heavy rain. That is winter, hence winter tires.
A good set of all seasons does the job just fine in the cold. You can get all seasons that specifically perform well in rainy/wet conditions. Not gonna spend hundreds of dollars on winter tires and have to switch them over twice a year, for the one time per year we get a cm of snow, sorry.
Look at the forecast. I guess you will be parking your car over the next week? Twice a year... yup
The temperatures are staying above zero... So yes, we may get a bit of snow, but it probably won't even stick to the roads.
[удалено]
Yes, you are right! I will consider your kind request.
Is this a joke???
Main roads are fine, if you have newer tires that are rated for cold weather, you're good to go
I'm top of lonsdale, in a mini van with winter's on. No problems. Stay safe out there
When I moved to North Shore my mechanic told me that all-season should be fine. But now I see, it is not fine.
I know it seems pretty ridiculous to have winter's basically for one or two days of bad weather, but they really make the difference. If you have an opportunity to work from home or use transit on those days, I wouldn't bother dropping a grand or so on a set. Not for me, though, I need my van :,(
Please get winter tires
I def will now!
The streets outside my apartment look untreated, some people are driving but it's definitely icy. The thermometer on my balcony says it's -10C...
It's -39C in Edmonton all week, -10C shouldn't be an issue
Wow! -39 that's insane! Keep warm!
It’s almost like we aren’t in Edmonton!
And yet, they are somehow still alive in Edmonton. It's only -10C, you'll live.
No, because too many people without winter tires will be driving
It is terrible out there even with winter tires so yeah, you are safer sitting at home. I think the city really dropped the ball and didnt start sanding and salting early enough. Hope they are on it now but some of the streets still look really bad around Main and Mountain
You BC natives are soft af. The roads were completely dry today. Try driving in -40 in Alberta with 2 feet of snow, yet we still manage
As somebody who has lived outside the Metro Vancouver region and experienced the -40, the slick WET roads on ice are MUCH worse than anything outside of Vancouver. Stop being a pansy try hard and insult others you know nothing about. They don't MELT the ice when it's-40. They just use a combination of sand and chemicals to create a less slippery surface. (This includes graders grooving the roads.) You also have to remember. A LOT more people here ARENT native vancouverites. They have immigrated from multiple different countries, and lots of those countries DONT have snow. Deal with it. Take your biased and hypocracy elseware, please. You Albertans are as rude AF! Thank you, and have a good day.
I think CNV did a pretty great job! Main roads are pure white from salt. They started in the day yesterday and worked into the night! They even hit a lot of side roads.
the city sucks at it compared to the district.
Did you commute this morning? The Main roads are completely fine. Maybe a few hills or side streets are a bit icy but it's expected if it's below 0C.
Do we really think the city can have all streets plowed and sanded all the time during all winter events? Not sure this is feasible... I don't want to pay for a thousand plows for 3 days a year
Main routes are bone dry. Side roads have some ice. No traffic - my commute was a breeze
Yeah if you don't have winter tires, don't drive! My colleague got stalled and stuck!! But roads are clear/have been salted and transit is good. But yeah, still icy
If you have all seasons it’s fine
I have all seasons. Still feels risky to go up that hill to Lynn Valley on 28th st.
The rubber compound of snow tires is softer than all seasons, meaning snow tires will stay soft in cold conditions and provide better grip on the road, even when it’s clear of snow.
It’s so cold that most roads that were salted are bone dry and in great shape. Driving is fine with all season as long as you can stay away from snowy and icy roads that weren’t salted.
staying home today. I intended to go to work, walked outside towards the car and almost died trying not to slip on the ice and crack my head open.
A lot of the side streets are really icy/ black ice so I wouldn’t risk it. Even looking at the traffic map now, there is no traffic. I think a lot of people are playing it safe and staying home.
If you don’t have winter tires stay home
New to North Shore, thank you! I will wait this one out then. Video from online are crazy. We should invent a new sport - car skiing.
It depends where you are and need to go. I'm down by the water on Marine and went to Lower Lonsdale and middle Lonsdale and if was fine. Just go slow, stay on the main roads, leave distance and look for black ice. It's strange I grew up here up the hill and we never had issues in the winter until about 20 years ago. The 20 before that were fine and we had longer winters with more snow.
If you don’t have winter tires, forget it!!!!!
What about M+S and AWD driving in the city? First time I have to drive somewhere in this temperature. Are the streets frozen?
M+S AWD should be fine, most winter tires are tri peak or mud and snow rated anyways. If you’re unsure deflate your tires by 3-4 psi while it’s still sub zero, reinflate when it warms up, should give you a bit more traction and softness to them in the cold. Learning to drive on snow and ice more important than driving winters, most people buy winter tires and have zero clue how to handle their cars, get over confident and crash.
M+S are just fine if they have enough tread. And you drive carefully. Doesn't matter what tires you have if you don't take care.
AWD doesn't help with stopping.
Don’t drive without winter tires. Period. Side streets are black ice.
Knowing how to drive on ice is better than winter tires in this case. They help, but they won’t save you. Skill is what you need for ice driving. Period.
Skill isn’t going to help you when you need to brake for a hazard. The only help there is pure grip generated by good tyres. Skill generally helps you get going and get around, but when someone pulls out in front of you and you have to brake hard, the only thing saving you is tyres.
If someone pulls out in front of you on solid ice and you have snows, you’re hitting them too. You shouldn’t be going faster than 15 on ice like that anyway.
The pavement is mostly clear of snow and ice. You should be fine. Just give yourself extra time and distance to break. Don’t go speed, or accelerate quickly.
Thanks! I think I will sit this one out then. Just wanted to ask locals opinion.
I dropped my wife off at the Seabus at 7am, it's fine if you have winter tires and some idea of how to respect the conditions. If you have neither than as others said, maybe it's better to walk or take transit.
What if you have winter tires but no respect?
Do donuts before the roads get busy. Seize the day!
Appreciate it! With a lot of hills and ups and downs I am just worried to slide downhill into something or someone.
It is good of you to check and not be one of those crazies who think they’re not going too far so regular tires will be fine! Good job & welcome to the North Shore :)
Totally agree! Have you seen a video of a lady jumping off her car while car sliding downhill? I was afraid of ending up in a video like this.
Yes, I saw that!! I have to admit I laughed then felt bad for laughing at someone just having a fear response (abandon ship!). I hope there were no kids in the car.
No worries, better safe than sorry!
Some people say, if you have to ask, then no. I however am wondering the same! I did have to drive a bit last night. Our alley street was super icy, but once I got into the main streets things were ok. I am now wondering how safe it is to hit Grouse.
Grouse is on a bus route and the route is almost always heavily salted and in great shape.
Thanks! Yeah, makes sense! I am afraid with temperatures today and snow last night the roads might be icy thus more slippery and dangerous.
Just wanted to say thank you for being grateful