It's been a fairly mild new year so far. Although as I sit writing in my office at home, I can hear the wind howling and the rain sheeting and I know it's only going to get worse! Give me a bit of wind or rain any day though, compared with ice and snow. Driving in the rain can be dangerous, but in snow and ice it's a whole different ballgame.
They don't teach you how to drive in harsh conditions in your driving lessons. In fact, unless you know a very experienced driver who can give you some tips, how else would you ever know the do's and don'ts?
Here are some I've put together, let's hope we won't need them this year though!
When you pull away, do so gently and progressively. If you slam your foot on the accelerator, you will lose traction and end up wheelspinning all over the place. This can cause loss of steering control in a front wheel drive car and oversteer in a rear wheel drive car. If you do start wheelspinning, take your foot off the accelerator and then reapply gently. Change gear sooner rather than later and if possible pull away in second gear. Always use the highest gear possible to reduce the chances of wheelspin. Drive as smoothly as possible and don't do any sudden braking or accelerating if you can avoid it. Leave plenty of space between you and the car in front. It will take you a lot longer to brake in snow and ice; the car in front doesn't want you to hit him any more than you do. If your car has ABS, you will be able to feel if it has engaged by feeling a pulsing sensation in the brake pedal. If you feel it, do not pump the brake. Keep a firm pressure on it instead. ABS is there to help you to steer as you're slowing down as locked brakes cannot steer. Use this to try and avoid possible collisions. Get your car fitted with winter tyres, or at the very least have a winter service to make sure your car is ready to handle the harsh winter conditions.
Drivers with 4x4's like Land Rover's are able to cope much better in bad conditions. But even these must be drive and maintained carefully. Many dealerships offer Land Rover servicing, so make sure you get booked in as soon as possible.
Author Resource:-
Joanna Small - Automotive Journalist and Enthusiast
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