Even though snow isn’t something most people encounter on a day-to-day basis, it’s still important to know what it’s capable of and how to deal with it; especially while driving. When you get caught in a snow storm, even with snow tires, you can count on the fact that the roads are going to be much more slippery than usual and your visibility will most likely be impaired. The cold is a factor too, which leads into the first step of a more confident winter driving experience.
Whenever you’re in an area that’s prone to harsh weather, it’s a good idea to carry warm jackets, blankets, gloves and hats in your vehicle at all times; even if you don’t use them often. They’ll come in handy if you accidentally drive off the road, or if the conditions simply become so dangerous you’re unable to reach your destination. It’s also a good idea to invest in an ice scraper that doubles as a snow brush. The more money you spend on something like this, the better off you’ll be. The best ice-scrapers are designed to extend to about six feet and have a wide brush on one end. Some models may even have a squeegee attachment. In a pinch, you can use your driver’s license or a credit card to remove ice from your windshield and headlights, but a good piece of equipment makes things a lot easier. If you drive a pickup truck, a shovel and a bag of salt or kitty-litter could come in handy if you get stuck because the vehicle is at a complete loss of traction.
You should definitely remember to purchase a sufficient amount of gasoline every time you get the chance. Winter driving eats up a lot more gas than summer driving because your wheels are having a harder time delivering the power from your engine to the road. Plus, driving in the snow is a lot slower going which also negatively affects your overall gas mileage. Plus, it’ll improve the quality of your winter driving experience to be able to run your car while you’re sitting in it so you don’t get any colder than you have to.
Before you take your car or truck out in a snow storm, make sure you have everything you’ll need ready to go before you venture out into the world. It’s a good idea to keep jackets and mittens in an empty passenger seat so they’ll be nice and warm in case you need them, rather than keeping them in your trunk. When you start your car after it’s been sitting in the cold for a while, you should allow the engine to idle for about 15 to 30 minutes before you take it anywhere; driving your car while the engine is cold burns motor oil and can lead to some costly repairs down the road. While your engines warming up, you should turn the heat and defrosters on so it’s a comfortable temperature before you go anywhere.
How you should drive in the snow has a lot to do with your personal experience as a driver, but a good rule of thumb is to take it slow until you get a good feel for exactly how slippery the roads are. You should also give yourself plenty of time to get wherever you’re going in case the weather causes a buildup of traffic. Whenever the weather is bad, you should try to use your brakes as sparingly as possible. Using your transmission’s lower gearing ratios to control your speed is always the safest way to go. As it’s a lot harder to stop in the snow and ice, you should try to keep a greater distance than you normally would between yourself and the vehicles of other drivers. Usually an extra two or three car lengths is enough to keep you out of harm’s way. Most importantly however, you should always wear your seatbelt.
It’s always good to remember that every vehicle on the road is different; therefore you’re going to encounter many drivers that are going relatively slow, as well as ones who are going much faster. You’ll have the most control over your vehicle if you drive at the speed you’re most comfortable with. A good winter driver drives at their own pace. Also, if you have a vehicle that does well in the snow, that doesn’t mean the weather won’t eventually get the best of you. Even experienced winter drivers will sometimes find themselves in situations that are too dangerous for their abilities; it’s inevitable. This is one of the main reasons one should avoid driving places they don’t necessarily need to go.
If you get caught in a slide, how you should react depends greatly on the vehicle you’re driving; however there is some pretty basic knowledge out there that can be applied to most slippery situations. First of all, there are three basic actions of acceleration (a change in velocity; acceleration doesn’t just mean speeding up) that can cause a slide to take place. The three actions of acceleration are: Speeding up, slowing down and changing direction. The main rule of thumb for winter driving is only accelerating in one of these three ways at a time. Basically this means you shouldn’t try to either slow down or speed up while you’re turning. Keep it at a steady pace. Even though there’s much dispute as to whether you should turn into, or out of a slide, the correct thing to do is steer in the direction you want to go – gently – until the vehicle regains control. Sometimes it’s a good idea to let off the gas pedal, but in a hydroplaning situation, this can actually make the slide worse.
Whenever you have to go up or down a steep hill, remember to do it when the coast is clear. If you’re going up, build up some momentum before you reach the base of the hill and let it carry you up. If you’re going down however, you should slow down as much as you can before you come over the top. Engine breaking is essential in this situation. Leave the car in a low gear and coast as far as you can. Even if you build more speed than you’re comfortable with, just ride it out and try to keep the vehicle under control. You should only use the brakes in either situation if you absolutely have to, but make sure you’re using them as sparingly as possible on the downhill slopes.
Hopefully this information will come in handy for those of you who’ve had little exposure with the ice and snow, but there is no substitute for experience. If you’re uncomfortable with winter driving, try getting a feel for it the day after a storm with someone you know is a safe and seasoned driver by driving on easy roads, or sliding around in a large, empty parking lot until some of your uneasiness is replaced by confidence!
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