Winter Driving Tips
By: Dana Laha
Issue date: 2/2/10 Section: News
When it comes to tires LaBanc recommends four winter tires, filled with nitrogen. Nitrogen filled tires hold pressure better than regular air; nitrogen is not affected by changes in temperature. Nitrogen also increases tire life and handles better than air.
LaBanc also suggests that new drivers practice driving on ice and snow. "Go to an empty lot after a storm with an experienced driver and practice losing control and correcting yourself," LaBanc said. It is important that new drivers get experience with bad roads so if you do have problems on a main road you are prepared.
If you do slide the National Safety Council says to take your foot off the accelerator. Steer in the direction you want the front wheels to go. If your rear wheels are sliding left steer left, if they're sliding right, steer right. You might have to steer left and right a few times to get your vehicle completely under control. If you have standard brakes, pump them gently. If you have anti-lock brakes (ABS), do not pump the brakes, with ABS you will feel the brakes pulse.
If your front wheels skid take your foot off the gas and try not to steer immediately. As the wheels skid sideways, they will slow the vehicle and traction will return. As this happens, steer in the direction you want to go.
If you get stuck, the National Safety Council recommends that you do not spin your wheels. This will only dig you in 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. If you need to, use a shovel to clear snow away from the wheels and the underside of the car. Pour sand, kitty litter, gravel or salt in the path of the wheels, to help get traction. Try rocking the vehicle to do this shift from forward to reverse, and back again. Each time you're in gear, give a light touch on the gas until the vehicle gets going.
It is important to remain calm and safe when driving on bad roads.
LaBanc also suggests that new drivers practice driving on ice and snow. "Go to an empty lot after a storm with an experienced driver and practice losing control and correcting yourself," LaBanc said. It is important that new drivers get experience with bad roads so if you do have problems on a main road you are prepared.
If you do slide the National Safety Council says to take your foot off the accelerator. Steer in the direction you want the front wheels to go. If your rear wheels are sliding left steer left, if they're sliding right, steer right. You might have to steer left and right a few times to get your vehicle completely under control. If you have standard brakes, pump them gently. If you have anti-lock brakes (ABS), do not pump the brakes, with ABS you will feel the brakes pulse.
If your front wheels skid take your foot off the gas and try not to steer immediately. As the wheels skid sideways, they will slow the vehicle and traction will return. As this happens, steer in the direction you want to go.
If you get stuck, the National Safety Council recommends that you do not spin your wheels. This will only dig you in 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. If you need to, use a shovel to clear snow away from the wheels and the underside of the car. Pour sand, kitty litter, gravel or salt in the path of the wheels, to help get traction. Try rocking the vehicle to do this shift from forward to reverse, and back again. Each time you're in gear, give a light touch on the gas until the vehicle gets going.
It is important to remain calm and safe when driving on bad roads.
Be the first to comment on this story