Driving vehicles in snow or icy conditions safely is daunting and risk. Even the best of skilled and experienced drivers would find difficulties in getting through. Even if there are just few inches of snow on the ground, you will have to take some precautionary measures before going out, because there is every chance you may get stuck inside snow. So, you should always have some food, water and extra clothing inside your car and small pointed metal piece through which you can dig and put the snow away from your path. More than that, you should keep your mobile phone fully charged. Do you know how to drive in snow?
Driving in Snowy Conditions
Driving in icy and snowy conditions poses many challenges and makes sure you and car should be prepared for this. You car needs to be maintained properly for enhancing the safety conditions. There are some simple steps that you can follow while driving on snow-laden roads:
Car Homework
- Battery: During winter the car battery quickly runs down than summer. Heaters, wipers and lights put extra pressure on the car battery. Keeping the battery fully charged most of the time would give the battery a long life.
- Antifreeze: Half and half mix of anti-freeze and water in cooling systems is needed during winter time. There are cars which use long-life antifreeze that generally mix up with other antifreeze.
- Screen wash: Grit & salt on roads can make windscreen dirty quickly, reduces visibility and make driving very difficult. Keep the screen perfectly clean to prevent freezing.
- Tyres: Make sure the tyres must be in good condition with at least 3mm tread during winter driving.
If you use snow chains or snow socks, it is sure to improve traction, brake and steering. They should be kept inside the vehicles as they will be easily fitted whenever you come in contact with the snow on the roads. Of course, they have to be removed as soon as you come to the tarmac surface.
Driving in Snow
While you’re driving in snow, it’s always advisable to drive in steady and gentle way. Keep your speed slow and move steadily, because high-speed means you could lose control and if you’re going too slow that means you might lose the momentum you require.
Use brakes, steering and accelerator smoothly as required. Braking distances should be increased up to 10 times what it is in normal distances. Remember that your brakes might not respond as you need and it’s needed to use engine braking mostly. More than that use gears to control your speeds. While you’re using brake, you should expect that the car will skid on the surface. Hold the steering wheel tightly. When you’re going down on a hilly road, reduce your speed while you begin to descent. It’s always very difficult to control your car in downhill with high-speed.
Few Useful Tips for Driving on a snowy road
- Drive Smoothly as much as possible
- Look Ahead as much as your eyes go
- Be attentive to flashing lights. If one small yellowish-brown light is blinking, it’s the sign that the wheels of the car are slipping.
- When your vehicle is skidding, always look towards the destination where you want to go, not to the direction where the vehicle is heading and do whatever possible to turn your car towards your destination.
- Learn to deal with skidding
- Use Anti-Lock Brakes-push brake pedal down with force, and don’t give up.
- Constantly access the traction
- Be aware of all-wheel drive
- Use tyres which are specifically made for winter driving
- Know the road.