Lots of warnigns today on the TV/radio to watch out for black ice. WTHell is black ice? How is it different than regular ice? Is there any other color such as blue or white ice?
Black ice is ice frozen without many air bubbles trapped inside, making it transparent. Black ice takes the color of the material it lies on top of, often wet asphalt or a darkened pond. Its difficult-to-detect nature makes it a significant hazard to drivers, pedestrians, and sailors. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_ice
ash is right. It's VERY scary. You can step/drive on it and end up in a tailspin/crash.Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image!
we're in the middle of the winter here in blackpool and we havent got ice, it is actually really warm for the time of year
I saw a semi spin on the highway on my way to work. Thankfully it didn't have a trailer. I went from 35 mph to 20. I was so freaked. Which is better? Salting a road or putting down gravel/sand?
I was alway under the impression that normal ice simply booted you from the host, and black ice actually tries to kill you.
Salt water ( brine) has a lower freezing temprerature than pure water. So salt will tend to make ice melt. Sand provides traction by acting as a barrier between your tyres and the road. Think of pushing grains of sand or gravel down into the ice. We commonly use both. You'll know what black ice is when you find your car skidding on what seems to be a normal surface. If you see warning signs, take them seriously and take your foot off the gas.
Now I know what ya mean. I kept drifting over on the road. Driving 35, not too fast, but I kept sliding over, and it looked fine. In 1 mile I saw 3 cars in the ditch, then I got passed by an idiot in a compact doing 50+ idiot.
How long do you think you could stand outside in it without your coat? Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image! My son lasted 2 minutes.
Orleander, you could just buy snow chains, they will help you with ice i belive if its constantly a problem
I don't think I've ever seen a front wheel drive with chains on, but they do work well. They don't hurt your tires so much as your driveway. And you can't drive fast in them. So you put them on and take them off a lot. But a set in the trunk can bail you out of some bad spots. Have an old guy show you how to put them on. Better: the modern winter tire - the brand "Blizzak" comes to mind, may be outdated - is a marvel. I'd just get a set of really, really good winter tires and never mind the chains. Maybe get them siped.
If black ice has few air bubbles in it, how does the regular ice get air bubbles in it to start with? Why doesn't this happen to black ice?
... and then there was that nice glazing on the tiles in front of the house ... Before I knew it, I was on my bum. And to get up from that! :bugeye:
Can I take it you had put his coat under one of your tyres to give you traction on an icy surface, And there was I , convinced you were a caring mother. The least you could have done was let him sit in the car.
