[InsanePineapple]

So I'm picking my car this Saturday from Northern VA and driving it back to MA. I don't want to drive my new car in this crappy New England winter weather, I also don't want to get winter tires since I'm moving south in 6 months, so I arranged to store my car at friend's garage until the weather gets warmer (I'm an apartment dweller). The weather looks to be clear on Saturday, so roads shouldn't be a problem. But I'm wondering if I'm going to be able to get the car safely into the garage. See picture below:



I've measured the width of the path and I have plenty of clearance. Also, I took this shot while kneeling so the angle of incline looks A LOT steeper than it really is. It's a pretty mild incline in reality. I also have a 20 lb bag of kitty litter as traction material, as well as 36 lbs of deicer.

My question is, can I make it safely into the garage, or should I not even attempt it?

EDIT: I should clarify that I'm standing in the garage when I took the picture. So the path going into the garage is on a decline.

News Update (02/12/2011): I scattered 25 lbs of kitty litter over the drive way and the car went in with no problems!

[bsamoul]

You should be fine.

[Express]

floor it

[InsanePineapple]

Originally Posted by express705

floor it

I should clarify that I'm standing in the garage when I took the picture. So the path going into the garage is on a decline.

[galahad05]

You may have some problems.

Simple solution: go out to your nearest Lowes or Home Depot and buy a bag of de-icer. Use it on the mess on the ground.

EDIT: Oh damn, I see you already have the deicer. With what you have, you should be fine.

[InsanePineapple]

Originally Posted by galahad05

You may have some problems.

Simple solution: go out to your nearest Lowes or Home Depot and buy a bag of de-icer. Use it on the mess on the ground.

EDIT: Oh damn, I see you already have the deicer.

Yes, 36 lbs of it

[Rustylemonz]

If anything just put some 2x4 planks all the way into the garage. Or, put the car in neutral and winch it in.

[ZoomZoom]

First you should tell your friend what a lazy SOB he is for not properly shoveling and salting his driveway...Then thank him for letting you leave your car there. With what you have you should be fine.

[InsanePineapple]

Originally Posted by ZoomZoom

First you should tell your friend what a lazy SOB he is for not properly shoveling and salting his driveway...Then thank him for letting you leave your car there. With what you have you should be fine.

lol we actually spent 2 hours tonight shoveling the driveway. It had snowed, then rained, then froze, so it was an enormous pain to break up the top layer of ice first, then shoveling the ice chunks and the snow underneath away. I think I'm going to be sore tomorrow!

[tomz17]

Originally Posted by morfinx

lol we actually spent 2 hours tonight shoveling the driveway. It had snowed, then rained, then froze, so it was an enormous pain to break up the top layer of ice first, then shoveling the ice chunks and the snow underneath away. I think I'm going to be sore tomorrow!

Yeah, I don't think that's going to be a problem, even on summer tires. Just take it slow.

[Legion5]

Honestly without winter tires that looks like an absolute trap for the car. I've gotten my 335i stuck in similar conditions. You'll be fine if you have deicer and planks but be ready to fight with the snow.

[07E92TT]

geeze thats crazy!

[Elie335]

you would be fine, just go in with the same speed, do not accelerate.

[Gazapo]

i think you can make it no problem... chop the snow/ice thats left on the driveway, and wait until it's super frozen.

[amullo]

Just put the winter tires on for christ sake! Isn´t that why you have them?

Your going back in 6 MONTHS, not 6 hours..

[ChasVS]

Originally Posted by amullo

Just put the winter tires on for christ sake! Isn´t that why you have them?.

He DOESN'T HAVE THEM. Doesn't want to buy them for only 6 months.

[k3m0-330i]

Really ur asking if u could drive? Like might as well ask us where to park in Ur drive way. Just try if not then u can't

[InsanePineapple]

Originally Posted by Legion5

Honestly without winter tires that looks like an absolute trap for the car. I've gotten my 335i stuck in similar conditions. You'll be fine if you have deicer and planks but be ready to fight with the snow.

I'm hoping since I'm going down a decline if I can just maintain a steady slow speed and steer, I'll be able to make it into the garage.

Originally Posted by 07E92TT

geeze thats crazy!

You are telling me! I grew up in TX

[Verbiage]

Throw on DTC and crawl up/down that bitch (still don't know where the garage is even though you said it lol. Looks like the path leading up to it is a hill/incline).

[JuppiOne]

do it nice and easy, you should be ok, get a bag or two of kitty litter, just in case you get stuck

[amullo]

Originally Posted by ChasVS

He DOESN'T HAVE THEM. Doesn't want to buy them for only 6 months.

oops.

Then just shovel the driveway and you should be fine.

One thing you CAN do to increase traction further then kittylitter/sand is to also let air out of your tires so they partially deflate. Old trick, but still a very good one, but it only works at low speed.

[InsanePineapple]

Originally Posted by Bavarian III

Throw on DTC and crawl up/down that bitch (still don't know where the garage is even though you said it lol. Looks like the path leading up to it is a hill/incline).

lol, I'm going downhill to go into the garage. The picture is me standing in the garage looking out towards the driveway.

Originally Posted by patrickch

do it nice and easy, you should be ok, get a bag or two of kitty litter, just in case you get stuck

Already got a big bag of kitty litter

Originally Posted by amullo

oops.

Then just shovel the driveway and you should be fine.

One thing you CAN do to increase traction further then kittylitter/sand is to also let air out of your tires so they partially deflate. Old trick, but still a very good one, but it only works at low speed.

Great suggestion! I haven't thought of that!