Winter Driving

Winter Driving:  What you should know

Winter is upon us, and whether you live in Washington or Kansas, driving conditions can change rapidly.

We live in a time of high tech gizmos and cars that park themselves. While advances in tires and braking systems make driving easier and safer, there are still some things you should know.  Unfortunately too many people are ill prepared for winter's driving conditions.  Even when they live in an area that gets snow regularly.  Why is that? 

Snow conditions vary by region, wet slippery snow, to cold dry powdery snow.  Flat land and areas with many hills.  Open sky and heavily forested.  All of these create different types of driving conditions.  Someone from Michigan, who drives in the snow all the time, may find it different driving in Oregon.  They may be over confident because of their experience and then find themselves in trouble while navigating the many hills and wet, icy snow. 

Another problem is overconfidence in the vehicle that you are driving.  AWD vehicles are best for driving in adverse conditions, but if you don't know how the vehicle handles, the AWD will be of no use.  It is like having a hammer and just throwing it at the nail, not as effective as knowing how to use it.

First, before traveling; know where you are going.  Sounds simple, but people often just think of the end result and not the path in the middle. They check the weather in Spokane, cold and sunny.  They look outside and see that it is raining, so they grab a raincoat and head out the door.  The problem is they are traveling from Tacoma to Spokane.  Which includes 2 summits, and 4 hours through the frozen desert. 

Is your car prepared for all of the weather and road conditions that it may face on your trip.  This applies whether you are going across the state or just across town. Do you have  good battery?  When was it last checked?  Do you have enough fuel?  During Winter months it is important to keep your fuel tank full when traveling. Do you have the right kind of tires?  Do you have chains?  Do you know how to install them?  These are all questions that you need to ask before heading out into the elements.

Below is a bullet point list of tips, things you should think of:

• Avoid driving while you are tired.  Getting the proper amount of rest before taking on winter weather tasks reduces driving risks.
• Make sure that your tires are properly inflated 
• Do not mix tire types:  radials with other tires, brand new tire, with 3 very old tires....etc
• Keep your gas tank at least 1/2 full to avoid fuel line freezing, and to make sure that you have adequate fuel in case of emergency such as road closures or delays.
• If possible, avoid using your parking brake in cold, rainy and snowy weather.
• Do NOT use your Cruise Control when driving on slick surfaces:  wet, ice, sand, snow
• Always look and steer where you want to go
• Have your battery checked: older, damaged, or end of life batteries are more likely to fail in the cold weather. 

Tips for extended trips: Winter Driving

• Watch weather reports prior to a long-distance drive or before driving to isolated or unfamiliar areas.  Delay trips when especially bad weather is expected, heed the advice of Dept of Transportation.  If you must leave, be sure that others no which route you are taking and estimated time of arrival.
• Make sure your  vehicle is in top running condition.  See your trusted Service Advisor for any special preparations. 
• Keep at least a 1/2 tank of gas in your car at all times, even if this means pulling over more often on your trip.  These are also good opportunities to make sure that everything is OK with your vehicle and to give you the rest you need to be alert.
• Keep your cell phone charged and available with numbers you may need, emergency numbers (not all areas have 911), if you have a motor club membership such as AAA or other roadside assistance service, have these numbers handy.
• Prepare your car for delays:  you should carry blankets, gloves, hats, food, water and any needed medication in your vehicle.
• If you become snow-bound it is important that you stay with your vehicle.  It provides temporary shelter and makes it easier for rescuers to locate you.  Do not try to walk in a severe storm.  It is easy to lose sight of your vehicle in blowing snow and become lost.
• Do no over exert yourself in you try to push or dig your vehicle out of the snow.
• Tie a brightly colored cloth to the antenna or place a cloth at the top of a rolled up window to signal distress.  At night, keep the dome light on if possible.  It only uses a small amount of energy and will make it easier for rescuers to find you.
• Make sure the exhaust pipe isn't clogged with snow, ice or mud.  A blocked exhaust could cause deadly levels of carbon monoxide gas to leak into the passenger compartment with the engine running
• Use whatever is available to insulate your body from the cold.  This could include floor mats, newspapers, or maps.
• If possible run the engine and heater just long enough to remove the chill and to conserve gasoline

Tips for driving in the snow:

• Accelerate and decelerate slowly.  Applying the gas slowly to accelerate is the best method for regaining traction and avoiding skids.  Do not try to get moving in a hurry.  Take time to slow down for a stoplight.  Remember:  It takes longer to slow down on icy or snowy roads.
• Drive slowly.  Everything takes longer on snow covered roads.  Accelerating, stopping, turning - nothing happens as quickly as on dry pavement.  give yourself time to maneuver by driving slowly.
• The normal dry pavement following distance of three to four seconds should be increased to eight to ten seconds.  This increased distance will provide the longer distance if you have to stop.  Think 3 car lengths.
• Know your brakes.  Whether you have anti lock brakes or not.  This is VERY important.  If you have anti lock brakes it is important to not pump your brakes.  Apply steady even pressure on the brake pedal until you have come to a complete stop.  If you have an older vehicle or it does not have an ABS system then you will want to apply steady and gentle pressure ....slowly, and pump the brakes gently to keep them from locking up.
• Don't stop if you can avoid it.  There is a big difference in the amount of energy it takes to start moving from a full stop versus how much it takes to get moving while still rolling.  If you can slow down enough to keep rolling until a traffic light changes, than do it.
• Don't power up hills.  Applying extra gas on snow covered roads just starts your wheels spinning.  Try to get a little inertia going before you reach the hill and let that inertia carry you to the top.  As you reach the crest of the hill, reduce your speed and proceed down hill as slowly as possible.  It is best to use a lower gear to minimize the necessity to apply braking force.
• Do not stop when going up a hill.  There is nothing worse than trying to get moving on a hill on an icy road.  If someone stops in front of you, try to safely go around them.
• Stay home.  If you really don't have to go out, don't.  Even if you can drive well in the snow, not everyone else can. 

What if is start to slide?

If you start to slide, whether it is while you are driving or stopping or accelerating, it is most important to remember no to overreact.  Remember earlier:  Everything is slower.  Slow down by removing your food from the accelerator slowly.  Continue to steer the wheels in the direction you want to go.  Ever hear the saying "turn into the skid?" or "If you are sliding right/left, turn right/left"?  we all have, the problem is, is in that split second, many are so worried about this advice that they panic when they realize they just don't know.  So here is a simple way to remember......Chase your tail.  If you are in a big slide, find which way your rear end is going and chase it. 

If you get stuck.....

Do not spin your wheels.  This will only dig you deeper.
Turn your wheels from side to side a few times to push snow out of the way.
Use a light touch on the gas to ease your car out.
Use a shovel to clear snow away from the wheels and the underside of the car.
Pour sand, fine powder kitty litter, gravel or salt in the path of the wheels to help get traction.
Rocking the vehicle:  This is an old technique for older model cars.  While it can still be effective, review your owner's manual first - This action can damage many newer vehicle transmissions.

No worries!  I have AWD!

That is great, it will certainly be helpful, remember the analogy about the hammer?  Know your AWD system.  Review the owner's manual and understand how it works.  Then, remember, that the AWD will help you get going, and will help you on the road, but if you travel to fast for the conditions, or think you can stop the same as drive pavement you are very mistaken.  You need the same distance to stop as everyone else. 

One of the biggest reasons that drivers of AWD vehicles get into trouble during snowy weather is overconfidence.  You have traction you are doing fine, you speed up a little, a little more, and now you have to stop for a stop light, now you are sliding, just like everyone else.  You have a great tool in your AWD system, but it is a tool, and you need to use it properly to get the maximum benefit.

Summary:

Be sure to make sure that your vehicle is in good running order.  You may not see any snow this winter, but you never know when mother nature is going to come calling, or when the need will arise to cross the pass.  Get your battery checked, have your tires checked.  Don't have AWD, purchase chains that are appropriate for your vehicle and practice putting them on.  Nothing worse than being on the side of the road on the pass, in a driving snow storm, trying to read chain directions. 

Be aware of your braking system.  Go to an open parking lot, and slide around a little, feel how your car responds, get used to the ABS system (if equipped).  Be prepared, have supplies and provisions in the vehicle, carry a shovel and some sand, and don't forget water and food.

Stay home!  Fire up the hot cocoa and the fireplace and let the rest of the world slide around.

Most importantly, go slow, be safe!

Ready to get your car checked out, go online to BrucTitus.com and get your vehicle scheduled in today.  All locations serve all makes and models.  You Can Count On Us!

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