We must remain calm and follow a series of safe winter driving tips so as not to leave the road. The long-awaited snow, especially for fans of winter. It can make an appearance in the coming days. After a season in which roads and ports have not presented excessive problems when driving. During the next weekend, it is possible that a driver is surprised by a snowfall.
That is why we must follow a series of safe winter driving tips. With the aim of maintaining maximum adherence at all times and avoiding the unexpected exit from the road.
Safe winter driving tips in winter
If you have car, micro-bus or any vehicle you should follow rules for safety. Otherwise, you will be dead or can be crippled. So, follow our recommendation on safe winter driving tips.
Stay alert, reduce speed and anticipate unforeseen events
In winter, climatic conditions are difficult to predict. So, it is imperative to exercise caution in driving, giving priority to safety. It must also be borne in mind that winter driving requires more tires and skills of the driver and that in the logic of preparing to face the winter conditions it is worthwhile to consider 4 winter tires. This safe winter driving tips improves safety and mobility for your greater traction, braking and control with water, frost, snow, and especially with ice.
Be aware of limitations
Focusing on safe winter driving tips, adapting the speed to the conditions of the route and maintaining the safety distance with the preceding vehicle. It will surely avoid sudden braking on firm surfaces slippery.
Avoid sudden braking
It is essential to anticipate valuing the necessary distance while avoiding sudden braking. Do not make sudden movements and do not accelerate thoroughly is at the same important. As try to stop softly and gradually so as not to block the wheels. Failing to do so, the vehicle will skid uncontrollably. In this case, release the brake pedal to recover traction and use the engine brake alternating with the brake pedal. To reduce the risks of skidding in climbs, use a higher gear than we would normally gear in dry.
Start-up
To avoid skating when it’s essential to accelerate little by little. If the wheels slip, climb up to reduce the force that reaches the wheels.
Be alert in curve roads
Before tackling turns, reduce speed in straight. In order not to skate and lose control in a curve, the direction must be kept constant with a fluid movement, and the speed must be slow and constant.
Loss of control of the front wheels
To recover grip in front of losses of control of the front axle, reduce speed by lifting the foot off the accelerator. If necessary, step on the brake slightly without blocking the wheels.
Loss of control with the rear wheels
Losses of control of the rear axle and in case the previous one maintains grip. In a front-wheel drive, the car accelerates smoothly to recover the balance. In rear-wheel drive cars (or propulsion) gently lift the foot off the accelerator until the wheels gain grip. Then accelerate smoothly again to maintain speed. Don’t brake to avoid accentuating the imbalance of the rear axle.
Type of situations
It is not necessary to be an expert to circulate in this type of situations. But the most important thing is anticipation. In this way, we will have more time to decide what plan we should do and what we should not do. At all times, but especially when we are surprised by an unexpected snowfall. We have to drive smoothly, both in terms of direction, accelerator, and brakes, as well as keeping calm in front of the steering wheel.
Any movement or maneuver that does not run smoothly can cause slipping, instability in the vehicle and unsafe driving. One of the most common mistakes is to turn the steering wheel in excess, which can cause an understeer (tendency to continue straight in curves).
If our car is equipped with manual gearshift, what to do?
We will do it in second gear to prevent the drive wheels from skidding. In the case of having to brake, it should preferably be done in a straight line and not in a curve, since the tires are in a surface of low adhesion. If you can, try to use the engine brake.
If we are going to move through a mountainous area or we are going to cross a port, it will be necessary that we have some chains.
According to our recommendations
On a slope, we have to use the shortest possible gear for the engine to hold us. Thus use the brake pedal, as little as possible. In addition, it will be necessary to always drive at a moderate speed and greatly increase the safety distance. Following the tracks of other vehicles except if the snowpack is thin and compacted. This would result in the so-called black ice, which goes unnoticed by the driver and can cause significant frights.
From time to time it is convenient that we stop to remove the accumulated snow from the wheel arches and thus prevent it from compacting and preventing us from moving the steering wheel smoothly.
In the middle of a snowfall, the visibility is also affected
It may be necessary to turn on the lights of short range and, depending on the situation, the fog lights. It may also be necessary to use windshield wipers and washers and bear in mind that if it is sunny the snow can cause glare.
In cases of little accumulation of snow
Keep in mind that the first flakes are usually those that make the road more slippery. It may be useful to carry a bag of cat litter in the car. It will help us regain traction if the car gets stuck.
Enjoy this winter and be safe by following our recommendation on safe winter driving tips.
