Winter driving

No doubt. For test and media purposes, the 134D is set to fire blanks. That's a lot safer around crowds, avoids loose rounds

Actually, the 134D is fairly accurate. You just roughly aim, watch where the tracers go, and lead the target. It has impressive target density coverage

http://www.dillonaero.com/docs/compareoriginal.wmv

 

It's like spraying with a fire hose.

Tom

 

Tom

Yep, just more satisfying. Though for hand-held kicks, the new Army AA-12 fully auto fire shotgun - fires from open bolt - would be my close second choice. Especially if that 20 rd drum mag was filled with HE rounds.

"Cut me off in traffic? Well, we'll see about that .... BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM!!!"

j

 

Jayman,

I've fired a Berrett .50 caliber sniper rifle. Not quite the rate of fire, but still very satisfying. They are beasts, but the muzzle brake works so well that you can shoot one from the hip. I'm not sure why you would want to do this, but it can be done.

Tom

 

Tom

Didn't know you were also in the Army. Cool. We should swap amusing - not at the time though - training horror stories

jay

 

This past winter was my first Northern winter and also my first with a Prius - I'd say it handled pretty well, that is, as I expected since I had never experienced driving on snow before. The only complaint I had was that since it's such a low car and I parallel park (in the city - no driveway), whenever the snow plows came by I couldn't get out of my spot. Sometimes I had to get a couple friends to kick the snow away if I really needed to go somewhere.

 

Stuck once on snowed in steep driveway. Needed tow with rope from Light SUV. You can not rock/spin wheels on this car due to Governor protecting the electric motor. Spinning wheels would burn up electric motor. 5" of snow, its time to park it. With 4 good snows it will climb up a zambonied black ice street. Once it sinks in soft snow get out the rope. Toyo VSC has saved my life several times. This is a must have item. It will fire brakes many times to stablize/slow car before you can get your foot off gas and onto brake.

 

I have rocked my 2006 on many occasions. It's not hard to do, but takes a little practice with the shifter.

Tom

 

Last year I generally ignored the various rumors/concerns about winter driving and the Prius. I drove through a few decent 6+ inch storms without much problem, and even made it up some decent hills (once I figured out that the tires don't ever spin and that the car comes to a complete stop - neat idea, but I'm not sold on it - show me how to rock the car on a snowy hill!).

Today though I was absolutely shocked at how poor the car handled. I've only put on 9000 miles on the stock tires, but I had very little control when stopping. This eve, in order prevent a slow slide into the car in front of me, I decided I was better off swerving across the road and into some poor guys snow covered lawn. I felt like a fool and puttered away harmlessly and quickly (and I hope he doesn't read the Prius blog!!). It was my best/only option. I have to admit, it was a piece of cake to turn the car (traction control at its best?) but I just couldn't slow it down at 15-20 mph in 3 inches of the fluffiest stuff on earth.

Now, I've never been in an accident and have driven a standard all my life in a lot of snow; I'm accustomed to downshifting to a lower gear to help slow down. So, with snow on the road, I've tried to use the "B" gear to help slow me down initially, as I did in this case - it just wasn't enough. Once I hit the brakes I was nearly doomed.

Maybe I was just too close to the car in front of me, but I'm REALLY close to buying my first ever pair of snow tires.

 

Integrities with 9K on them are poor in snow. I'm trying the Comfort treads now, so far so good.

This link may help Goodyear Tires | Find The Right Tire | By Vehicle | Results

 

</p> Ross
A reminder for grill blockers, grill blocking affects the indicated outside air temperature on the MFD. I have both grills blocked. Nasty winter weather a couple days ago. Started with freezing drizzle, indicated temp 34F. Then it changed to freezing rain, indicated temp 37F. The precipitation changed to snow, indicated temp now 59F. The piece of mind I had of it being above freezing vanished. I had the ultimate grill block. Every nook and cranny on the front of the car was covered with ice, blocking any outside airflow to the sensor. The temperature sensor was picking up some heat from the engine compartment.

Ross

 

I edited my original post. There is not a big enough red faced smilie to put on this page.