Incredibly Obvious Press Release: How To Cope With Winter Driving
According to my Bloemfontein rose, the best way to cope with winter driving is stay inside. If it weren’t for the tail-out action afforded by the slippery stuff, I’d agree. Telecommuting, Stop & Shop Peapod, Netflix, Gamefly, school bus—why tempt fate? Throw another log on the fire (yup, they deliver those too), fire up the Mac and kick back. Still, there are millions of motorists who have to brave the elements to make ends meet. And winter driving can be brutal to the point of Fargo-style human popsicles. You’d kinda hope that anyone who lives the requisite 16 years required for a driver’s license whilst living in a cold climate would have a little common sense in this regard. But never underestimate the power of PR people to underestimate the intelligence of the average human being. This time we have Land Rover telling UK motorists how to survive their recent cold snap. After all, “Land Rover has 60 years of driving experience, with a line-up of supremely capable vehicles which boast permanent four-wheel drive and pioneering technology such as Electronic Traction Control, Hill Descent Control (HDC) and Terrain Response – which includes a snow setting utilising the vehicles’ traction aids.” Ready to be surprised? Then stand down, chill out and feel free to add something a little more . . . useful.
1. Use the highest practical gear, unless descending a hill – this limits the amount of torque and will help to prevent wheel spin
2. Using first gear provides the maximum control when descending hills
3. Clear ice and snow from all windows and lights – even the bonnet and roof – before driving
4. Use all controls (steering, brakes, throttle etc) gently to help prevent loss of traction and control
5. Leave extra distance between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you – it takes longer to stop in adverse conditions
6. Ensure you have enough fuel to complete your journey
7. If planning a long journey or venturing off-road, ensure you have plenty of warm clothing, food and water in case of emergency
8. Before setting out on a journey in bad conditions, make the following checks:
◦ Anti-freeze
◦ Wipers and windscreen washer fluid
◦ Lights
◦ Hazard lights
◦ Defroster
◦ Oil level
◦ Tyres and tyre pressure
More by Robert Farago
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Step 1: Buy snow tires. Yes, I mean you with the 4WD/AWD vehicle too. No traction is no traction, regardless of how may wheels recieve power, and affects steering and braking too. Step 2: Find an empty parking lot and experement. Step 3: If you didn't get step 1, go back and buy snow tires. Winter driving is fun.
Could not agree more when it comes to proper winter tyres. They are an investment at the start but then again, when you are using winter tyres, you're not using your summer tyres, so in the end there is very little difference financially (beyond buying that first set). They are not only better in snowy / icy conditions but in all conditions once the temperature drops below 7-8 degrees Centigrade. The compound will make them grip better than summer / all season tyres even on dry or wet roads, not only on snow. Practice is another aspect. Learn how your car will react to inputs, how to keep sufficient progress going, not stopping unless absolutely necessary. In RWD cars some weight in the boot is helpful - does not need to be much - 50kg will make a lot of difference. In FWD cars beware of understeer on snow. A handbrake can help but learn how to use it properly if you want to go down that route. RWD is usually better for getting uphill, if you've got a FWD car (and it's not a major road we're talking about) reversing works much better, since most of the weight will be on the driven wheels. In terms of equipment a collapsible shovel, a snow clearing device with a handle long enough to reach across the car, some blankets, gloves should all be considered a necessity. And finally, if you intend to use chains, check out which wheels are driven on the car - even in countries with regular and ample snowfall, such as Switzerland, one can have hours of fun observing people fitting chains to the undriven axle ;)