Safe Winter Weather Driving Tips
Well, at long last we have our first snow. I awoke this morning to 10 inches of snow, an incredible but dangerous phenomenon so common to individuals living inside the Great Lakes region. In honor of this winter's initial snowstorm, I thought all of us could use some reminders on safe winter months driving. If you are knowledgeable about Michigan cold weather, you know there are numerous different forms of road conditions as you will discover types of snow; we're rather like Eskimos using their 200 words for "snow" in that we've dozens of terms a variety of winter road conditions. Black ice, slush, powder, snow sand - each will behave differently and require us to adapt our driving differently. Here are a few suggestions to make sure you remain on the road in adverse conditions.
Drive slowly. It's basic, but it is surprising the amount of cars is available plowing by using a snowstorm around the freeway at 70 mph. Even if you're driving a considerable, 4-wheel drive vehicle, excessive speed on slippery roads causes it to be much easier to get rid of control of your vehicle, particularly in low-visibility conditions. Driving too fast are not able to only be a hazard to yourself, but for some other drivers on the street as well; during heavy snowfall, fast cars whizzing by drastically reduces visibility to the cars behind.
Don't use cruise control. Cruise control reduces a driver's power to feel the car and road beneath your pet, plus bad driving conditions, keeping a stable pulse in your car's traction and direction is essential. Additionally, cruise control elongates breaking time, so that it is much more tough to respond quickly.
Don't slam about the breaks. Most cars on the trail today come with ABS, but this isn't a license to slam for the breaks on slippery roads. Maintaining a pokey speed and many room prior to you can help lessen the need for heavy breaking, fresh fruits: sudden breaking is a bit more likely to cause your breaks to lock and also your vehicle to get out of hand. If your car sets out to slide, pump the burglary short, hard bursts whilst keeping the tyre straight.
Don't overcompensate with steering. A mistake many drivers make on slippery roads should be to swerve around obstructions and try and steer outside of a slide. If your car actually starts to slide, steer straight ahead and strive to reduce sliding by pumping the brakes. Oversteering could cause your car to slide and spin to a ditch additional easily than straight, even steering.
Maintain a normal distance involving the cars till you. This is especially true for freeway driving. Always keep enough distance between your automobile and the car before you to adequately stop without slamming around the brakes. This, at the least, can prevent you from slamming into your back as someone else's car.
Add weight. This is particularly great for rear-wheel drive vehicles, but even front wheel drive vehicles can usually benefit from some extra pounds. Some old tires, pallets, bricks or encyclopedias inside trunk will deliver your vehicle more traction.
Prepare your car or truck! As Bobby emphasized yesterday, it might be wise to prepare for that worst and hope for your best. In addition to outfitting your car or truck snow tires, new wiper blades and general maintenance, keep emergency equipment inside the trunk. AAA recommends you continue a shovel, sand/kitty litter, food, water, flashlight, flares plus a blanket in the case of emergency, therefore we think that's pretty smart. And remember: well-maintained cars are safer.
Drive slowly. It's basic, but it is surprising the amount of cars is available plowing by using a snowstorm around the freeway at 70 mph. Even if you're driving a considerable, 4-wheel drive vehicle, excessive speed on slippery roads causes it to be much easier to get rid of control of your vehicle, particularly in low-visibility conditions. Driving too fast are not able to only be a hazard to yourself, but for some other drivers on the street as well; during heavy snowfall, fast cars whizzing by drastically reduces visibility to the cars behind.
Don't use cruise control. Cruise control reduces a driver's power to feel the car and road beneath your pet, plus bad driving conditions, keeping a stable pulse in your car's traction and direction is essential. Additionally, cruise control elongates breaking time, so that it is much more tough to respond quickly.
Don't slam about the breaks. Most cars on the trail today come with ABS, but this isn't a license to slam for the breaks on slippery roads. Maintaining a pokey speed and many room prior to you can help lessen the need for heavy breaking, fresh fruits: sudden breaking is a bit more likely to cause your breaks to lock and also your vehicle to get out of hand. If your car sets out to slide, pump the burglary short, hard bursts whilst keeping the tyre straight.
Don't overcompensate with steering. A mistake many drivers make on slippery roads should be to swerve around obstructions and try and steer outside of a slide. If your car actually starts to slide, steer straight ahead and strive to reduce sliding by pumping the brakes. Oversteering could cause your car to slide and spin to a ditch additional easily than straight, even steering.
Maintain a normal distance involving the cars till you. This is especially true for freeway driving. Always keep enough distance between your automobile and the car before you to adequately stop without slamming around the brakes. This, at the least, can prevent you from slamming into your back as someone else's car.
Add weight. This is particularly great for rear-wheel drive vehicles, but even front wheel drive vehicles can usually benefit from some extra pounds. Some old tires, pallets, bricks or encyclopedias inside trunk will deliver your vehicle more traction.
Prepare your car or truck! As Bobby emphasized yesterday, it might be wise to prepare for that worst and hope for your best. In addition to outfitting your car or truck snow tires, new wiper blades and general maintenance, keep emergency equipment inside the trunk. AAA recommends you continue a shovel, sand/kitty litter, food, water, flashlight, flares plus a blanket in the case of emergency, therefore we think that's pretty smart. And remember: well-maintained cars are safer.
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