Black Ice, how to tell. - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

PcKiller · 10-15-2014, 05:58 PM

This is a trick I learn from my days driving semis. Anyone can tell if they are on black ice, even the 4 wheelers!

( 4 wheelers to a trucker means anyone driving anything with only four wheels. )

Here is how to tell if the road is just wet, or is black ice. Just look at the rear tires of the car in front of you. Now if you see a mist comes from the tires, road is just wet. If you don't see a mist from the tires, you ARE on Black Ice.

hypercarfanatic · 10-15-2014, 06:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PcKiller

This is a trick I learn from my days driving semis. Anyone can tell if they are on black ice, even the 4 wheelers!

( 4 wheelers to a trucker means anyone driving anything with only four wheels. )

Here is how to tell if the road is just wet, or is black ice. Just look at the rear tires of the car in front of you. Now if you see a mist comes from the tires, road is just wet. If you don't see a mist from the tires, you ARE on Black Ice.

As a fairly new driver, I thank you!

SSJ455 · 10-15-2014, 06:51 PM

Unless it is black ice that is melting. The top layer could be wet with ice underneath.

xinfamousxi · 10-15-2014, 06:53 PM

Thats good to know because we get that here sometimes in Nebraska

DDoug · 10-15-2014, 08:00 PM

... and, at night, make sure you get up real close to the car in front of you, just to be sure!

and, when you suddenly realize you are on black ice, what's the next move??

Brilac · 10-15-2014, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DDoug

... and, at night, make sure you get up real close to the car in front of you, just to be sure!

and, when you suddenly realize you are on black ice, what's the next move??

Crash......

Sorry, get off the gas and dont touch the brakes,and try to point it in the right direction.

skipinminn · 10-15-2014, 10:21 PM

And then $hit your PANTS LOL

Homer2 · 10-15-2014, 10:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brilac

Crash......

Sorry, get off the gas and dont touch the brakes,and try to point it in the right direction.

Mr Twisty · 10-16-2014, 04:19 AM

OP, that's some good advice. I would add, if you're driving a manual, push the clutch in, don't just let off the gas real quick, your back tires may slip due to compression braking. If it's auto trans, get off the gas, it'll coast.

STAY OFF THE BRAKES!!!!!

Natural instinct is to hit the brakes, if you do you're screwed.

STAY OFF THE BRAKES!!!!!

Other ways to tell when it's freezing, the grass on the shoulders tends to freeze first, it gets shiny and white-ish. Then bridges start freezing, they freeze at the outside edge first and reeze toward the center. You can also watch CB antennas on semi's, if it's freezing rain the antenna will start wagging side to side. Ice builds up on the leading edge of the antenna.

STAY OFF THE BRAKES!!!!!

If you forget all that, remember this..... if it's cold out and you're scooting down the road, all of the sudden you don't hear much road noise, and your steering feels light..... you're probably on the slick stuff.

STAY OFF THE BRAKES!!!!!

ssrs2lt · 10-16-2014, 06:02 AM

all great info with good timing!

trashmanssd · 10-16-2014, 06:30 AM

Also when its wet and real close to 33-31 degrees, I like to do brake checks (where its save, no one right behind you and on straightaway) before I really need the brakes a ways before a stop sign or an off ramp or a sharp corner. Just a nice light tap on the brakes (the amount pressure you might use to maintain speed on a downhill not enough to slow you) to see if the car slips or abs kicks on if it does its easy to just lift of the brake get your bearings and start to try slowing very gradually. Nothing worse than waiting till you need to use the brakes and then realizing oh crap black ice not enough room to stop or slow for that corner.

RubyCamaro · 10-16-2014, 06:52 AM

Bottom line if temps are below freezing or have been in the last few hours (especially overnight) and the road looks wet, just assume it could be ice. black ice can be patchy (wet in some spots & frozen in others. Soooooooooooo if you see mist from the tires of vehicles in front of you one minute, the next it could be ice. Just drive like you may encounter ice if conditions are favorable for black ice formation.

PcKiller · 10-16-2014, 08:16 AM

Your headlights should see good to see at a distance, and you can check the cars going the other way for the mist.

Stingr69 · 10-16-2014, 10:31 AM

This is easy - If you (or the car in front of you) are sliding sideways off the road into a ditch, then you are on black ice. Been there, done that. Best advice anyone gave - STAY OFF THE BRAKES AND GAS. Put it in neutral - try to coast past it. Other than that, you are just going for a ride, you have no control what so ever. No steering, no stopping, just gliding and praying.

-Mark.

10-15-2014, 05:58 PM	#1
PcKiller Drives: 2012 1LT RS Camaro Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Boyertown Posts: 77	Black Ice, how to tell. This is a trick I learn from my days driving semis. Anyone can tell if they are on black ice, even the 4 wheelers! ( 4 wheelers to a trucker means anyone driving anything with only four wheels. ) Here is how to tell if the road is just wet, or is black ice. Just look at the rear tires of the car in front of you. Now if you see a mist comes from the tires, road is just wet. If you don't see a mist from the tires, you ARE on Black Ice. __________________

10-15-2014, 06:51 PM	#3
SSJ455 Drives: "Kara Zor-El" 2017 2SS HBM Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Lower Hudson Valley Posts: 2,055 View My Garage	Unless it is black ice that is melting. The top layer could be wet with ice underneath. __________________ Lead me not into temptation. I already know the way. Lana? Lana? LANA! LAAANAAAA!!!! What? Dangerzoooooone.

10-15-2014, 08:00 PM	#5
DDoug Drives: '13 Inferno Orange ZL1 Convertible Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: The 313 Posts: 437	... and, at night, make sure you get up real close to the car in front of you, just to be sure! and, when you suddenly realize you are on black ice, what's the next move?? __________________

10-16-2014, 04:19 AM	#9
Mr Twisty Drives: the 2nd amendment home Join Date: May 2008 Location: OK Posts: 14,763	OP, that's some good advice. I would add, if you're driving a manual, push the clutch in, don't just let off the gas real quick, your back tires may slip due to compression braking. If it's auto trans, get off the gas, it'll coast. STAY OFF THE BRAKES!!!!! Natural instinct is to hit the brakes, if you do you're screwed. STAY OFF THE BRAKES!!!!! Other ways to tell when it's freezing, the grass on the shoulders tends to freeze first, it gets shiny and white-ish. Then bridges start freezing, they freeze at the outside edge first and reeze toward the center. You can also watch CB antennas on semi's, if it's freezing rain the antenna will start wagging side to side. Ice builds up on the leading edge of the antenna. STAY OFF THE BRAKES!!!!! If you forget all that, remember this..... if it's cold out and you're scooting down the road, all of the sudden you don't hear much road noise, and your steering feels light..... you're probably on the slick stuff. STAY OFF THE BRAKES!!!!! __________________ "They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." -- Benjamin Franklin lib·er·ty /ˈlibərdē/ noun 1. the state of being free within society from oppressive restrictions imposed by authority on one's way of life, behavior, or political views

10-16-2014, 06:02 AM	#10
ssrs2lt Drives: too many Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: oh va pa ma tx Posts: 3,046	all great info with good timing! __________________

10-15-2014, 06:53 PM	#4
xinfamousxi Drives: Camaro 1SS 1LE Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: United States Posts: 481	Thats good to know because we get that here sometimes in Nebraska

10-15-2014, 10:21 PM	#7
skipinminn Chiquita Drives: 2013 1LE/1SS YELLO1LE 1 of Only 28 Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Mpls. Mn./Hudson,Wi. Posts: 4,740 View My Garage	And then $hit your PANTS LOL

10-16-2014, 06:30 AM	#11
trashmanssd Drives: Black 14 2SS/1LE/RS 14 Tundra Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Plymouth, Ma Posts: 2,414	Also when its wet and real close to 33-31 degrees, I like to do brake checks (where its save, no one right behind you and on straightaway) before I really need the brakes a ways before a stop sign or an off ramp or a sharp corner. Just a nice light tap on the brakes (the amount pressure you might use to maintain speed on a downhill not enough to slow you) to see if the car slips or abs kicks on if it does its easy to just lift of the brake get your bearings and start to try slowing very gradually. Nothing worse than waiting till you need to use the brakes and then realizing oh crap black ice not enough room to stop or slow for that corner.

10-16-2014, 06:52 AM	#12
RubyCamaro Jan Drives: 2010 Camaro 1LT Red Jewel tintcoat Join Date: May 2010 Location: Springfield, TN Posts: 16,241 View My Garage	Bottom line if temps are below freezing or have been in the last few hours (especially overnight) and the road looks wet, just assume it could be ice. black ice can be patchy (wet in some spots & frozen in others. Soooooooooooo if you see mist from the tires of vehicles in front of you one minute, the next it could be ice. Just drive like you may encounter ice if conditions are favorable for black ice formation. __________________

10-16-2014, 08:16 AM	#13
PcKiller Drives: 2012 1LT RS Camaro Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Boyertown Posts: 77	Your headlights should see good to see at a distance, and you can check the cars going the other way for the mist. __________________

10-16-2014, 10:31 AM	#14
Stingr69 '69 Owned Since '79 Drives: '69 Z/28 LeMans Blue w/White Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: LR AR Posts: 1,848 View My Garage	This is easy - If you (or the car in front of you) are sliding sideways off the road into a ditch, then you are on black ice. Been there, done that. Best advice anyone gave - STAY OFF THE BRAKES AND GAS. Put it in neutral - try to coast past it. Other than that, you are just going for a ride, you have no control what so ever. No steering, no stopping, just gliding and praying. -Mark.