Slip Sliding Away – Winter Driving Tips

With the first snowfall and more on the way drivers in the northern climes need to get re-acclimated to winter driving and cold weather survival.

Let it snow and all that other stuff that happens below 32 degrees

Here at LotPro.com in Auburn Hills, Michigan, we finally got the first solid dose of the white stuff that falls from the sky in these parts this time of year. And with 2-5 inches of it on the ground and more (surely) to come in the next few days, weeks and months ahead, it’s time to look at what we can do (other than fly to Florida) in order to safely navigate the roads until sometime next March.

Even though many of us have been around for more winters than we’d like to admit, we’re always lulled by the intervening spring-summer-fall weather so each year we need to re-learn the safest way to navigate through the snow and the ice. This year, we have some advice and statistics from Ford Motor Company as well as some safe driving tips.

A Six-Pack Equivalent

Dr. Tom Maze, a professor of civil engineering at Iowa State University, estimates that drivers in a heavy snowfall are just as likely to have an accident as those with a blood-alcohol level of 0.13 – the equivalent of drinking a six pack of beer in an hour and jumping behind the wheel – a rather sobering (pun intended) statistic. Calls for emergency service usually double during a snowfall with AAA Michigan reporting an increase from 2,000 to 4,000 per day during bad winter weather.

Greg Stevens is a senior technical leader for vehicle dynamics at Ford Motor Company and he feels that although in-vehicle technology aimed at handling and accident-avoidance has come a long way, all the silicon diodes in the world can’t take the place of good old common sense.

“Newer cars like the Ford Fusion offer traction control and antilock brakes, which do a great job of helping keep control in bad weather. But, you still have to modify your driving habits. With snow or ice on the road, the limiting factor is tire grip for braking or cornering.”

What, then, is Steven’s advice to motorists? It’s simple, “Slow down, allow more time for braking, and stay alert.”

Driving Tips

According to Ford development engineer Jamie Cullen, who has test driven vehicles in cold weather from Sweden to Manitoba, here are the top 5 tips to remain accident free:

1. Tires: The most important thing you can do is have good tires. If they’re getting close to the wear bars, you should have them replaced. Make sure your tires are at the correct pressure; tires that were at the specified pressure in summer will probably be low with the colder temperatures experienced in winter.

2. Brake earlier: Most people think they have more grip than they actually do, which leads to sliding right through the intersection. If you’re coming to a turn or a stop, start applying brake pressure twice as early as on dry roads.

3. Let ABS work for you: If your vehicle has an antilock braking system (ABS), you may feel a vibration in the brake pedal as the system prevents wheel lock up. Keep firm pressure on the brake pedal until your vehicle comes to a complete stop. Do not pump your brakes if your car has ABS.

4. Unwind the steering wheel: As the front tires begin to slip, most people tend to turn the wheel even more. However, the tires already can’t cope with the current situation, so asking them to do more isn’t the answer. Instead, Cullen recommends turning the wheel back slightly and tap the brakes a little to put more weight on the front end to help the front tires regain traction.

5. Be prepared: On a vehicle development test or on a winter vacation, Cullen always brings warm clothes, heavy boots and a blanket. Cullen also carries a multi-tool, a first-aid kit, and a cell phone, just in case. Ford development engineer Jamie Cullen has conducted winter driving tests around the globe, including at snow fields in Michigan, Manitoba, Sweden, and New Zealand. One of his top five recommendations is to always travel with a winter emergency kit.
AAA also recommends that you carry the following items in your vehicle as part of a winter emergency kit:

•    A cell phone
•    Flashlight
•    Small snow shovel and brush
•    Traction mats
•    Ice scraper
•    Battery booster cables
•    Warm blanket
•    Flares/triangle warning devices
•    Heavy gloves
•    Windshield washer fluid
•    First aid kit
•    Bottled water
•    Energy bars

The Bottom Line

For those of you that currently reside in the warmer climes, we at LotPro.com salute you. Just don’t call us and start bragging about how great the weather is where you live. For the rest of us who are getting ready for the annual “Winter Wonderland”, following the advice from our friends at Ford and AAA will make this a safer (if not a more enjoyable) winter.

Tags: aaa, aaa michigan, Ford, ford motor company, iowa state university, winter driving tips