Driving post-Snowstorm (Salt Rant, Long, Pics..) (archive)
Posted by Rachel on January 27, 2000 at 20:19:32:

What its like to drive after a snowstorm (salt rant) or
MISERY SALT AND SKIDDING

It started out well enough. 14 degrees by my OBB (That is, On Board Broad/Babe/Bitch [take your pick I don't mind] ) which means I looked out the window and saw one of those flashing time/temperature signs....

I chose only well traveled roads... but had to avoid the toll road because my inspection was way overdue. That was what one of my Z3 friends had told me, that toll takers can bust you for an expired inspection. I dunno. Anyway....

It was OK for a time... even picturesque

Then I noticed that the wind was blowing the snow back onto the road from the snowdrifts.... every time it happened, my V1 would give me flatlines and beepbeepadeep???? and Emmy lost traction. I was completely freaked. In that moment of skidding I panicked. Then my training from the schools kicked in. I knew that I could ride those skids, handle them, regain control and I did. Now what?

About now I should tell you WHY I was driving. Today is my mother's birthday, she is bed ridden and unable to speak. The *only* thing I can do for her birthday is to be by her side. Trains would take too long, and I had forgone a car service because the weather had cleared up, or so I thought.
Every time the wind blew the snow around me, my V1 would flatline as you see in the pic, and make beepadeep noises, which didn't help a bit.
I realized immediately I was going to have to rearrange the days schedule. I had to go to a Sears (why does the worlds first mail order catalog store no longer deliver when everyone else does? ) long story, forget it, I had to go. And I had to get the car inspected. Mom was going to end up last instead of first.
Just as the torture was about to end, it got worse.

I saw some trouble up ahead and pulled into a parking lot to figure out an alternate route.
I could see the sign for 309- and you could too if I left the picture large enough, its right ahead of that first car. This is the last turn before the big highway. Turning around would only be worse.
Happily, most of the people in the area had rented a clue by this time, and traffic would stop one way and allow the other direction to run the snow gauntlet.
As I waited my turn, I saw the truck that had already run off the road, you see it on the left.

I took this picture of Emmy in the Sears parking lot.
I got her inspected- another long story involving an irate postal worker .... and I stepped in something oily and black in the shop. My foot slid off the clutch. There was some cleaning involved. I was happy I had replaced my nice dotted floor mats with aftermarket ones I can replace. The mechanic used foam cleaner to clean it and that seemed to work.
I carefully chose my roads to my mother's. There was no way I could have anticipated the salt spreader and nothing I could do when I saw it coming.

This is Emmy after the spreader shot salt and sand at her at close range.

There were icicles hanging off her front bumper.

I saw my Mom, had a nice visit and returned to NYC on the Turnpike. Aside from an absolute friking ass who was actually playing road games with me, following me and passing me and getting in front of me and slowing down etc... I MEAN FCOL I UNDERSTAND I AM A BLONDE IN A CONVERTIBLE BUT ITS TOP UP AND 10 FRIKIN DEGREES OUT HERE!!!!! I called the police but then he turned off.

Home safe with no hope of a hose, I tried to figure out the best way to remove the salt. I tried to thwak it with a towel- some dust came off but the bits stuck into the paint.
Somehow a bird had managed to poop on the roof as well. I got that off with water.
I poured water from a bottle I carry on the side that got salted, and used a towel only as much as need to loosen the salt. Then more and more blips with my water bottle and then a fresh towel.
What is the deal with people who HAVE to have a chat with you when they see you are washing your car? Oh I was just the most interesting thing in the garage I suppose but oh they just HAD to yak yak yak. Then they get insulted if you don't pay attention. "Oh Gee that looks BAAAD. Salt is really a problem.... "

I got as much off as I could I just don't know what to do next. I saw some filmy marks and wiped them off but I didnt want to rub too hard.

Augh. I love my mom more than my car.
I made it to her special day and I am proud of that. Now I would like to take care of the car.

Do we cover it? I said yes. The garage is warm, I made sure she was dry, put the doorguards back on but not the SG stuff.

I am fairly freaked. Thanks for letting me vent.