Winter is in full bloom and in reality, it is beginning to wind down across the nation, which means that those final, unexpected snow/ice events will be surprising motorists and weather forecasters alike for at least another month. But must you be caught unprepared? Of course not, because you have access to superb literary tomes such as this one. Read on, dear driver and learn more about driving precisely.
Unless you live in Key West, there is a slight chance that you will encounter some frozen fun on the roads sometime in your life. Now, it goes without saying that at least 99.999 percent of all American drivers lose what little sense they had when they encounter snow/ice on the roadways, so this list of helpful hints and instructions is an attempt to reclaim a few percentage points of common sense in the hopes that fewer of you will wind up wadded around a tree or in a ditch when driving in snow/ice. So, read on, take note, and heed.
Top Ten Ways to Avoid Disaster When Driving on Snow/Ice Covered Roads
10. Slow Down: Makes sense, doesn't it, but how much, and when? Why you need to slow down when in the winter stuff is due to decreased traction, which leads to increased braking distances. Driving at 70 or at 7 mph on a snowy roadway won't cause any problems, so long as you don't encounter slip angles (turns) or the need to brake quickly. But since turns and braking is part of driving on any roadway, slowing down helps, in theory, the driver to brake in an appropriate manner. Driving steadily never killed anyone. Stopping suddenly does. If visibility is poor, and the road is habitated with other drivers, slow down more. General rule of thumb is to decrease your speed from what is posted by 5 mph for every 1/4" of snow on the ground. If ice is present, or the snow pack is freezing, cut speed by half.
9. Plan Turns in advance: On the interstate, highways, or surface streets, this does not change. When your vehicle encounters slip angles (G-forces that can cause the front end to understeer, or push, when traction is broken) at low speeds, such as on ice or snow, you have to slow sooner, turn more gradually, and be prepared for excessive understeer. "Understeer" is when you turn and the front end "plows" beyond what you intend. "Oversteer" is when the rear end of your car sweeps around unexpectedly due to loss of traction. To combat understeer, a little less braking and a little more acceleration usually does the trick, but jamming on the brakes does nothing. To avoid either condition, turn the wheel slowly and steadily, swing out wider for the turn, and reduce speed.
8. Accelerate Gracefully: Some uninformed motorists swear that front drive vehicles are better in the snow, but that is only true under some narrow conditions. Therefore, whether your car is front drive, rear drive, or some form of all-wheel drive or 4x4, accelerating steadily and methodically is a big bonus on slick roads. If your car begins to spin (especially from a dead stop) avoid letting off the gas suddenly, but rather, back off slowly and allow the tires to get a grip. Forces of inertia fade quickly as the vehicle gains just a little speed. Ease into the gas pedal, don't panic if there is some spin, and get used to the idea of having to "throttle" into moving. Some spinning is unavoidable on really bad roads, and nothing on your car will suffer or break from this event. Just as on rain soaked roads, gentle, methodical application of both the gas and brake pedal is the way to go.
7. Correcting a Spin: OK, suppose you've either performed a ham-fisted maneuver, or you just got unlucky and your car is now spinning or sliding out of control on the ice or snow. What to do? First of all, recognize right now that the decision to drive beyond your limits on snow/ice covered roads may well be a decision to wad up your precious vehicle. In certain conditions, the best of advice will either not apply, or will help too little. But, for now, let's suppose that there is time and distance available to do something. If that's the case, realize that the brake is not your friend in most cases. Modern ABS (anti-locking systems) brake systems helps tremendously, but on really slick roads, all it will do is help you steer somewhat better, but may not decrease stopping distance any at all. If you get into a spin or a slide, apply the brakes GENTLY. This will be hard to do, but at least think about it. Second, steer -- look for exits, a safe area (absence of other cars or trees, etc.) or any option that prevents a crash. Steer towards the best choice with smooth motions, understanding that the tires will be behind your steering input. Give them a second to catch up. If the car is oversteering (rear end coming around), steer into the slide. This means that you are sliding with the rearend coming around on your right, you steer to the right, and vice versa. It works like a charm, so long as you quickly adjust your steering back towards center when the car begins to respond (to avoid snap-countersteer). If you encounter gross understeer, gently let off the brakes and just as gently, get on the gas, steering towards exactly the direction you want to go. Remember, these steps only sometimes help to avoid an accident in bad conditions, but they are far better than doing nothing.
6. Uphill & Downhill: If you have to drive up a hill that you feel will present problems, try to accelerate in such a manner that you could let off the gas half way up and still make it, then do exactly, if possible. Remember that inertia will work against you if you have to change your rate of acceleration greatly while at mid-climb.
When going down a hill, and if driving an automatic, slow before you begin your descent, and select a gear other than overdrive, such as "3", or "2". Select the lower gear before you begin to pick up speed. Avoid any sudden jabs at the brake (even with ABS). Always be aware of alternate escape routes at the end of the hill should you slide or have to avoid another car. Always look ahead.
5. Be a Loner: There is no strength in numbers when it comes to driving in ice/snow. Stay away from other motorists if at all possible. In really bad conditions, allow for at least a 5 car distance from the car in front, and the car behind. This not only helps avoid accidents, but it also helps your car avoid being covered with the salt and snow spray thrown up by the car in front. If you really want to play it safe when on a multiple lane road, choose a lane to the left and check your distance from other cars by gently slowing or accelerating to maintain. If you come upon a "pack" of cars (really dim motorists feel the need to pack up in bad conditions) find a way to either get around them, or just pull off at a safe place so they can get way ahead. When you slide or spin, room and space are your two best friends in the world.
4. Use your assets: Your defroster and rear window heater are there for these times. Use them, but do yourself and your car a favor and turn off the radio, seat warmers, and ipod junk while in this mode, so as to lessen the drain on your battery and alternator. Try to avoid putting excessive heat into the defroster as this will only increase the chance of "fogging" the windows inside. Acclimate to the point where the least amount of heat does the job, and turn off the defroster when all is clear. If possible, ever-so-slightly lowering a window can help stave off fogging altogether.
3. Stay Home: Really, probably the best advice.
2. Routine Maintenance: Prepare before the snow fall. Change wiper blades. Treat the windshield with Rain-X. Properly inflate the tires. Throw a scraper, a small blanket, a flashlight, some gloves, and some bottled water and candy bars in a bag in the back. Keep your cell phone charged too. Clean the inside of your windows regularly. Visibility is king.
1. Practice: When it snows or there is ice, and if possible, get out in a deserted parking lot (or something like it, maybe a deserted road) and practice turning, accelerating, and braking where you have lots of extra room for run off and correction. Get to know what your vehicle will do under these conditions and you'll be better prepared to stop, go, turn, and avoid costly mistakes.
Drive precise!
