[Shotimes] Pontiac unveils SHO successor?

[Donald Mallinson]

Scott,

As I mentioned, the myth of extra weight helping in slick 
situations has been out there for a while.  You will find it 
in lots of places, along with other old mechanics tales.

Your two examples seem to fall in that category.  There are 
still people that believe that sythetic oil is thinner than 
regular oil and that it leaks more.  I am sure you can find 
hundreds of "experts" on line that will repeat that wrong myth.

More than the weight on the front is the fact that it is 
easier to pull something through muck than push it.  Extra 
weight has little to do with it.

More weight seems to work for you, I get along just fine 
without adding it to my cars, each to his own.

Don Mallinson

Scott Krietemeyer wrote:
> Don:
> 
> Here is some reference material:
> 
> Only webserach where I found suggestions AGAINST adding weight was the
> google hit on dccarcare.com.
> 
> Yes more weight has the potential to increase stopping distances.... 
> But that weight will help get some mroe braking force out of the rear
> of the vehicle which is important to keep things straight.  My truck
> has rear ABS to help out but it still isn't perfect and needs whatever
> help it can get....
> 
> Truck Trend:
> http://www.trucktrend.com/features/consumer/112_0001_ccwinter/index4.html
> (Scroll to Item 4)
> 
> This excerpt below is from theWashington military department at:
> http://emd.wa.gov/5-prep/trng/pubed/winterprep/car-on-snow-ice.htm
> **********************
> Pickup truck drivers with rear-wheel-drive should be especially
> cautious on slick roads. Because these vehicles have very little
> weight over the wheels that propel the vehicle, they are prone to rear
> C"b,"wheel skids on slippery roads. Adding weight to the bed of the
> truck will help give it stability.
> ***********************
> 
> Scott Krietemeyer
> 
> 
> 
> On Mon, 01 Nov 2004 09:09:26 -0600, Donald Mallinson <dmall@mwonline.net> wrote:
> 
>>Scott,
>>
>>Stuff doesn't have to be sharp to hurt/crush.  Have someone
>>drop one of those 75 pound bags on your chest from just a
>>few feet above sometime and see if not being sharp makes a
>>difference!  :)
>>
>>IF your airbag and safety belts save your life to have it
>>snuffed out by 300 pounds of dead weight going 50 mph from
>>behind, then I guess you will stop all sorts of worries.  :)
>>
>>As I said, if you are confident that you have it locked
>>down, then that is fine.  Most people just throw stuff in
>>back and don't take the effort that you did to secure it.  I
>>felt it important to point out that they could be
>>endangering their well being and not knowing it.
>>
>>Really, in talking to lots of people that know more than I
>>do, the truth is that carrying extra weight in the trunk/bed
>>is NOT the best way to get around in winter.   What it does
>>in a wreck is just another reason to find other ways to
>>improve your odds of getting between point A and B in bad
>>weather.
>>
>>Proper winter tires, slowing down, and changing your driving
>>style are the best bets for safe winter trips.
>>
>>Don Mallinson
>>
>>Scott Krietemeyer wrote:
>>
>>
>>>Don....
>>
>>
>>>
>>>If I am in a wreck the sandbags (which are not sharp BTW) are the
>>>least of my worries...  I'd argue some of the rest of the stuff but
>>>there isn't much point considering my audience I suppose...
>>>
>>>Scott