Vehicles need traction in order for the brakes to work properly, which is why slower speeds, gentler turns, and stops are necessary to make traction remain possible. [3] X Research source Reduce the vehicle’s speed so that you are going below the speed limit, remember it is NOT a target to aim for. Be extremely cautious of how much traction your tires can achieve against the road as you drive.
This will give you enough room to stop and lower the risk of sliding into the car in front of you when driving at a slow speed. Driving at a speed over 25 mph (40 km/h) may require leaving more space between the vehicles.
Accelerate more gradually than you’re accustomed to. Don’t rev up to the speed limit like you’re used to when the roads are clear, get up to that speed slowly but gradually. Decelerate more gradually than you’re accustomed to. Anticipate your stops before you actually make them. Slow down to stop at a much slower rate than usual.
Remove your foot from the accelerator if the rear end of the car begins to skid while driving on snow or ice. Steer into the skid to stop skidding. So if you’re skidding right, steer to the right.
Turn the steering wheel in the direction you want the car to turn. If you’re driving a car with a manual transmission, avoid shifting into neutral—this could cause you to skid. Instead, stay in gear.
If you see multiple cars stopped in front of you, start braking several stopping distances away to avoid colliding into another vehicle accidentally. If you notice that your tires have locked up, take your foot off of the brakes completely.
Use a penny to help you determine the depth of your tires’ treads. Insert a penny with its head toward the tire tread into the groove. If the back of the penny is covered, your tire tread is in the clear. If you can see the entire back of the coin, it’s time to replace tires. Additional signs that you should consider buying new tires include nicks and holes, uneven wear, and bulging sidewalls on the tires.
Install winter tires in sets of fours to maintain the traction, safety, and control of your vehicle. If, or when the weather gets warmer; it is important to swap the tires for your regular tires. [11] X Research source Carry a set of snow chains for your vehicle while you travel. Although it might not be necessary to install them on a car that has snow tires installed on it, having snow chains are a requirement when passing certain roads throughout the winter season.
Also make sure that your windshield defroster is up to scratch. Replacing your blades will be an insufficient move if your defroster isn’t in working order.
If the date on the battery is older than two or three years, think about purchasing a new one before winter begins. Remove any signs of whitish powder that might have gathered on the terminal connections. Clean away the buildup with equal parts baking soda and warm water solution.
When the snow chains are on three-quarters of all of the tires, get into your car and drive forward for less than a metre. This will expose the part of the tire that was touching the ground previously. Put on the handbrake, get out of the car, and finish securing the remaining chains to the rest of the wheel. Use a closer link to tighten the chains where they close. Adding snow chains to your vehicle might be necessary for drivers in some areas, but often times if you have snow tires installed; you can save yourself a little trouble and not have to bother using snow chains at all.
