24 replies to this topic

[Elisedreamer]

Are there any tips for driving the Elise during the winter months? I plan on using it as an everyday car, so figured it may be wise to ask those with more driving experience.

Cheers

Si

[Chris_edeson]

I use mine everyday And have done through 2 winters...

All i do is try to be wary of others... Thats my main concern, whilst im comfortable with driving in ice and snow within mine and the cars limits, i dont trust other people so always been aware o those around you helps! Then just the normal stuff really like any other car! Take it steady and reapect the conditions you are in!

[Martin 111S]

Chris_edeson, on 15 October 2012 - 09:37 PM, said:

I use mine everyday And have done through 2 winters...

All i do is try to be wary of others... Thats my main concern, whilst im comfortable with driving in ice and snow within mine and the cars limits, i dont trust other people so always been aware o those around you helps! Then just the normal stuff really like any other car! Take it steady and reapect the conditions you are in!

Sensible advice - always use mine and have done for 6 years. I'm always more worried about other folk doing damage and stupid things - just remember its rear wheel drive, what can be fun in summer can bite in winter

[AL.]

Brake early and gradually. Accelerate slowly. Make sure to dry the brakes off if it's pissing it down (touch the brakes before you actually need to use them).

Use plenty of opposite lock when it's snowing.

[scatty]

Always have your lights on in the gloom and just take it steady when it's wet and cold.

I use mine everyday and as everyone says I tend to be more aware of other people's driving.

[Chris_edeson]

scatty, on 15 October 2012 - 10:02 PM, said:

Always have your lights on in the gloom and just take it steady when it's wet and cold.

I use mine everyday and as everyone says I tend to be more aware of other people's driving.

Scatty makes a good point for once.... always have your lights on !! people have a good habbit of not seeing you till its too late so lights on help then notice you a bit more !!

[lummo]

My tyres (Advan Neovas) 'go off' noticably as the temperature drops to near zero. The car seems to get quite understeery when it's cold.

Other than that, like others have said, just take it sensibly.

Mind you I must point out that, although I do use mine all year round, it isn't a daily driver. I've only driven it a couple of times in the snow, and that was just for fun (as in not needing to get to work or anything important).


Lights on is always a good idea. I often have them on when it's really sunny. When you're going in and out of shadows people just don't seem to notice a little, dark-coloured car very well..

Edited by lummo, 16 October 2012 - 08:01 AM.

[russelld]

Remember our cars don't cope with standing water and will aquaplane very easily. There is less than 300kg on the front wheels which is less than half that of a small hatch!!

It scared the c--p out of me the first time it happened !

Welcome to MLOC  BTW.

Edited by russelld, 16 October 2012 - 08:05 AM.

[TimSportsTourer]

Welcome to MLOC!

A very light car and very wide tyres (by normal standards) mean the pressure on the road is low. When it's remotely slippery, it's easy for things to unstick. Then the usual rear-engine issues of the back end overtaking you take over.

So as the guys say, keep it slow and gripping. Ignore people who snigger at sports cars creeping along on snowy side roads.

My other comment is on the windscreen. You are very low in everyone's spray, and the wiper and demister are both a bit second rate. Keep the screen sparkly clean when you can, de-ice/scrape any crud off the screen and wiper blade to give the wiper a decent chance of clearing water and snow. Keep the wash bottle topped up.

I do remember vividly getting out of my car after 200 raining and horrible miles on a motorway one miserable and frosty night. I was knackered - it certainly concentrates the mind. But it's worth it. The upside is that the feedback the car gives you help you to know whether you are doing it right or wrong more than in many cars. So long as you are alert to signs and aware of the challenges, it can be a rewarding, if full-on, experience.

Good luck, and enjoy.

[Wild]

As others have said just take it more slowly and gently than usual.

The door locks freeze up, some graphite powder helps.  The inside of the windscreen freezes up too, which is fun , a de-humidifying sock thingy helps a bit.

[darryl]

As all the above, and you may also consider a bit of light relief after all the tense driving, yes the below is borrowed from Hammered's thread posted yesterday (apologies if i've broken any forum rules - cross threading)

I've been well and truly bitten....thoughts of storing my car for the winter have now gone I can't do it .... Life's too short !
Anybody up for Donnington/javelin on the 30th December. £139.00 book early price.

http://www.javelintr...id=546itemid=11

Would make a nice meet. Between Xmas and Newyear ?

[scatty]

Not to mention hammered's daft hat and his driving scarf!!!!

All winter essentials for you soft top loons.

[CHOPPA]

Windscreen wiper with the washer bar, HID's and an air horn. All useful additions for seeing, being seen and letting them well and truly know that you are there if you need to.
I think it useful to keep something to help clear the windows on the inside as even with A/C, the system is a little asthmatic in these cars.

All this and I hardly use mine in winter.

/S2 owner

[M111]

A lot of sensible advice above, but another option, get a 'runner' to see you through the winter and lay up your Elise.

Spending £500 out on such a car might save you your excess (and premiums) if you did have a mishap.

Sell the runner in the spring for £400 and the 'risk mitigation' has only cost you £100.

Bangernomics - you can still have good fun, just of a different nature!

[rocketian]

I drive my 111R every day - except on snow/ice when the level of skill needed to keep it on the straight an norrow is more than I have.  Water, shallow floods etc now problem but on packed snow it walzes.  On the few days of the year when it is snowing I steal my wife's car and make her walk to work (the exercise is good for her).

Seriously, an Elise on snow is scary