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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

to want to leave my car in the garage?

25 replies

notveryinventive · 07/02/2012 17:55

Need the MN jury on this please.

I rent a garage out from the council in a different street to where I live. Anyway I parked it Fri and havent got it out since. Of course it snowed here quite a lot over sat night and its still here with no signs of clearing in the next few days.

Anyway today I pottered over to the garage to have a look at the snow and it was 3 inches deep outside. Now we dont really need the car as we live in close proximity to shops, town, school etc, but it does make things easier. DH (who doesnt drive or is not a mechanic) thinks there will be nothing wrong with driving my car out over 3inches of snow. There's a few footprints in the snow, but apart from that its untouched. The edge of it is higher as a path has been cleared to be able to walk to the flats (mostly accomodated by older people).

So am I being pathetic not wanting to get the car out? Or is it really best if I leave it for another few days in the hopes that the snow will melt a bit (we are not forecast any more snow AFAIK) Most of the roads have been cleared and those that aren't are just icy, but no worse than I have driven on before.

We've only had the garage a few months so not had to think about this before. Sorry its so trivial, but what do you think?

OP posts:

helpexcel · 07/02/2012 20:07

Really? Get a spade, bend your back, clear the snow.
Next step, breathe in. Breathe out...

StrandedBear · 07/02/2012 20:13

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ragged · 07/02/2012 20:14

I don't get the problem, do you actually need to use the car?
If I felt I needed to use it, I'd chance it. If I felt I could get by without, I'd get by without, not least because one has to take extra care currently.

Slow speed over 3" snow over very short distance fine, it's ice at high speed or slush etc. that gets you.

ComposHat · 07/02/2012 20:22

Good God no one in Scotland would move anywhere ever if we all got an attack of the vapours over 3 inches of snow.

If you don't need the car, leave it in the garage.

If you do, ease it out steadily, drive in a higher gear than usual and avoid slamming on the brakes. (Use the gears to slow down)

It isn't that hard.

Original poster

notveryinventive · 07/02/2012 20:25

I thought about the spade help, but wasnt sure if I would be allowed to as its public property. I dont want to get into trouble IYSWIM

Stranded Why FGS? I just didnt know if snow that was 3" deep would be easy, difficult, safe for the car or fuck my car up (sorry for the naughty word, break my car just didnt have the same effect )

ragged I was asking because it would be easier to get the car for something we had to do tomorrow, but no big deal if we didnt get it. DH thinks it will be fine, but as I said in my OP he doesnt drive so I dont really thinks he qualifies in telling me what is good for my car or not. I personally think I would rather leave it whereas he thinks I should take it.

thought no-one was going to answer me.

OP posts:

Original poster

notveryinventive · 07/02/2012 20:26

compos I would be in reverse, so no higher gear. I havent had to drive in snow before so didnt really know what to do.

BTW I dont particularly like driving anyway incase I break down and I get anxiety all the time so sorry for being pathetic people :(

OP posts:

ragged · 07/02/2012 20:28

Well to be fair, Stranded, Canadians change their tyres from summer to winter types (snow tyres) in October, which neatly solves the problem. They also favour 4WD which helps in snow (although nowhere as useful as real snow tyres).

In places with more intermitant snow you may be required to have chains. Driving in UK type snowy conditions would be illegal where I'm from, without chains or snow tyres. Then again, we are a nation of too many idiots who need strict rules to follow.

ragged · 07/02/2012 20:31

Awww, sorry you feel you've had a bad time, OP.
If you don't feel confident & your DH isn't driving & it isn't urgent, then just don't do it for now.
Maybe your DH can use a taxi to fetch it if he thinks it's so important.

I only just found out that in these conditions people should regularly wash the road salt off their cars to prevent corrosion. I've lived here 20 years but come from a frost-free cliimate, so never knew. Always learning something new.

Sparklingbrook · 07/02/2012 20:31

If you don't want to drive in the snow don't. If it increases your anxiety it's not worth it. Leave the car in the garage until you feel happier about it.

hellhasnofury · 07/02/2012 20:32

If you don't feel happy driving in the snow and don't really need to then don't. There is no shame in not being comfortable driving in the snow. If it makes you nervous don't do it, no shame in acknowledging your feelings.

Original poster

notveryinventive · 07/02/2012 20:32

Exactly ragged As we dont generally get THAT much snow here (though going by the last 3 winters we are starting to) most of us just have normal cars with normal tyres. I just wasnt sure if it would be managable without sticking (like they do in mud etc). If I lived somewhere with more snow or snow more likely i would look to get a 4WD or something.

OP posts:

Original poster

notveryinventive · 07/02/2012 20:34

Funny thing is Im happy to drive down my street which is very icy and slippy at the moment. I just need reasurance that 3+ (where the path behind is scraped there is a small amount that is higher) inches isnt anything to worry about.

OP posts:

ComposHat · 07/02/2012 20:35

Reverse is a higher ratio gear than 1st gear, so you will be fine, as long as you don't floor it and come flying out of the garage like Stirling Moss.

If you are going on a longer drive in the snow, double check the tyre pressure and the screenwash before you head out.

Drive more slowly than you would do normally, avoid slaming on the brakes and steer and accelarate in a gradual and smooth fashion, avoiding sudden changes of speed or direction, you will be absolutely fine.

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 07/02/2012 20:37

Your car will be fine in the garage, and will probably be in a better mood than mine, sat on my OSP in the elements.
If you don't need to drive, and can get away with not driving then don't.

But take a tip from Auntie 70.
Reverse into your parking space. 'Tis far easier to get out of going forward, especially if you don't know how other people will park after you've parked.

I've been driving 27 years and I take the bus to work if it's bad.

Original poster

notveryinventive · 07/02/2012 20:39

Thanks compos

I never come out that fast as there are other cars around more often than not. I know I should be fine, but Im just a big scaredy cat and Im more than happy to admit that

Ive just got visions of a car that is trapped in the mud and just flinging mud behind them. I can just see me doing that tomorrow

OP posts:

ComposHat · 07/02/2012 20:42

Depends on the space 70 I never liked reversing into murky gararges due to the risk of whacking the garage wall.

But taking the bus for a few days is not a bad idea, I did that during particularly bad winters when I drove a car regularly.

That said, living in Scotland and having to drive for work gave me plenty of practice when it came to snow covered roads.

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 07/02/2012 20:46

I don't have a garage (well I do, but it's at the bottom of the garden and we put up a fence, and it's along a rough 'service' road. But that's by-the-by.)

Hang a tennis ball so that it knocks on the back window. Obviously spent too long watching Blue Peter.

ComposHat · 07/02/2012 20:49

You are not being pathetic by any stretch, honestly it is not rocket science, it is just sometihng you need to get used to.

I am not a great driver by an stretch of the imagination and was nervous at first, but you soon get used to driving in different conditions and adapting your driving to suit them.

If you do go out (and it is by no means compulsory) tomorrow, good luck!

ComposHat · 07/02/2012 20:50

Hang a tennis ball so that it knocks on the back window.

Good idea, I like that!

Original poster

notveryinventive · 07/02/2012 20:56

I dont get the tennis ball thing

I think I am just because its obviously do-able and we are moving soon to somewhere in the country and when it snows there it will snow so Im going to have to get used to it at some point. I just dont like feeling forced to drive when Im really not comfortable. A couple of years ago when it snowed I had to take MIL shopping and by the time I parked at Tesco my knuckles were white as I was driving in blizzard conditions it was awful. Should have said no then and I vowed then and there if I didnt feel comfortable driving I wouldnt.

OP posts:

ComposHat · 07/02/2012 21:04

If I've got it right, the tennis ball will be hanging from the roof of the garage, a few centimeters away from the back wall, so when you hear it knock against the back window of the car, you know not to reverse any further. A poor man's parking sensor if you will.

If I ever own either a car again or get a garage, then I will be sure to install a hanging tennis ball.

Original poster

notveryinventive · 07/02/2012 21:10

And there was me thinking it would be hanging in the car

OP posts:

MateyMooo · 07/02/2012 21:38

well, I wont drive the car in the ice or snow....

1... because i'm too scared to
2... because i cant afford to repair my car if i smash it
3... because i LOVE the snow and think being in the car is a waste!
4... because my husband is happy to drive his (shed) in the snow, whcih doesnt matter if it gets pranged

Sparklingbrook · 07/02/2012 21:44

I don't like driving in the snow and ice because of everyone else out there driving in it. Freezing fog this morning and -4, but nobody thought lights were necessary.

Original poster

notveryinventive · 07/02/2012 22:07

I noticed that too sparkling yesterday it was foggy and when I was walking back from taking the kids to school I noticed there were lots of cars with no lights on

OP posts:

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