Driving & Driving Test Tips: Spin out causes?, honda civic hatchback, winter driving conditions

Question
Hello,
I live in Anchorage, Alaska and my question relates to what could cause a spin-out?  I have lived here for 6 years and am experienced with winter driving conditions.  Today while driving on a straight road with a slight decline I lost control of the car on fresh snow and ice.  The car ran into a snowbank. (No damage luckily.)  

I am trying to diagnose what might have caused this.  I didn't make any sudden movements of the steering wheel and it felt very similar to a "hydroplaning" effect even though there was no liquid state water on the road.  Other cars were moving along at much higher speeds and not having any problems.  

I have Blizzak tires (seem to have 1/2 inch or more of tread left) that have seemed to serve me well over the past 6 seasons.  I have had several instances this winter where I felt that the tires were not in full control on the road.  The car is a 92 Honda Civic Hatchback.  

Should I take the car in to see if something might be wrong with the tire alignment or something like that or tire inflation.  I did just recently put the tires up to 29 lbs of pressure.  It was very icey after a small snowfall the same day but no one else seemed to be having a problem.  

The part that irks me is that I did nothing to make the car spin out.  It is as though a wind just blew me off to the side of the road.  I'm sure that many many other cars have tires with less tread than mine do.  

Any ideas?

Thanks,
Chet Shannon  

Answer
Chet-

I have some ideas for you and I totally understand your irritation.  Being an instructor, I like things in the car under my control!

My thoughts tend to go with the car on this because you were saying that others were able to handle faster speeds and because you are saying that you have felt less traction earlier.

I know the tires seem like they have a 1/2 inch of tread, but check with a ruler anyway.  The eyes can do funny things.  Also, check the psi your tire should be at.  The pressure you said you filled to (29lbs psi) sounds low.  Some will tell you this is good, but they are mistaken.  A tires with low pressure will bulge inward into the tires, leaving less space to contact the road.  Take an open tire and push slightly down; you will see what I mean.  Lastly, check the balance of the tires.

My only other thoughts are to check the alignment and suspension systems.  Actually, that is my suspect for this crime.  The suspension may not be hugging the road like it used to.

Good luck!

Michael