View Single Post
Old 12-14-2009, 12:04 PM   #13 (permalink)
thatguitarguy
Master EcoModder
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Leadville, CO
Posts: 509

Maroon Ballon - '98 Chrysler Town & Country LXI
90 day: 26.42 mpg (US)

MaEsTRO - '95 Geo Metro 5spd hatch, 3 cyl
Thanks: 47
Thanked 54 Times in 38 Posts
"Except in aquaplaning", is a huge caveat. When you are sliding on ice, snow, or slush, you are actually hydroplaning. You can slide very easily on rough ice, while maintaining perfectly good traction on very smooth dry glass. The difference here is a microscopic layer of water between the solid ice and the tire. The pressure caused by the weight of the vehicle will "squeeze" or "melt" this layer of water from the ice, so that it will nearly always be present in those conditions.

It is why an ice skate will glide over the ice instead of digging into it.
  Reply With Quote