Driving in the winter can be highly dangerous, especially if you are not a seasoned or even a skilled driver. To avoid collisions with other vehicles or just with random trees, you need to take the necessary precaution measures. First, you need to be aware of the ways cold weather affects your car and prepare it for the harsh winter driving conditions. And second, you need to know how to drive safely in the winter in order to avoid skidding on ice.
The danger of skidding is greatest when you are taken by surprise. Since not all vehicles respond in the same way to icy, slippery roads, learn how to handle your vehicle in all types of weather. To best achieve that make sure to read the owner’s manual to learn about your vehicle’s braking system and tire traction. You may also consider taking a winter driving course. Having the latest safety features on a new vehicle and/or knowing how to handle your car are good ways to keep control.
One of those new safety features is Electronic Stability Control. The function of ESC basically is to help drivers avoid crashes through sensors on the car that compare the direction of the steering wheel to the direction the vehicle is going. When they are not the same and the vehicle begins to skid, ESC applies the brakes to one or more wheels or reduces engine power (or both) to help keep the vehicle under control.
ESC is automatically ON when you start the engine on your vehicle, but if it has an OFF switch, you should turn it off when you are stuck in deep snow. A dashboard light will remind you to turn ESC back on. To get ESC, you need to buy a vehicle that is already equipped with it – new or used, so it’s a good idea to ask your dealer about it when buying a car you intend to drive in an area with a lot of snow (like Canada).
A good way to avoid skidding on ice is to drive in accordance with weather conditions and the weather. By SLOWING DOWN, you will be traveling longer, but you will also have more time to brake, change lanes, make turns and take curves on the road. This is particularly important when avoiding obstacles on the road – since panic maneuvering and braking can result in skidding.
So, what to do when potentially skidding on ice?
- Learn to handle a skid: Practice the technique in a safe location until correcting a skid becomes a reflex. Remember that sometimes the vehicle will skid a second and even a third time before you regain complete control over it.
- Avoid sudden moves: Avoid forceful braking or sudden, jerking movement of the wheel while driving in the snow or ice.
There are multiple types of skidding: front-wheel skids, rear-wheel skids and four-wheel skids:
1) Front-wheel skids
Front-wheel skids are caused by hard braking, acceleration or driving too fast for the road conditions. You can’t steer when the front wheels lose traction. To regain steering control, you need to do the following:
- Release the brake if the front wheels skid from hard braking.
- Ease off the gas pedal if the front wheels lose traction.
- Shift to neutral (automatic) or push in the clutch (standard).
- Wait for the front wheels to grip the road again.
- Select drive (automatic) or release the clutch (standard).
- Accelerate gently.
- Drive at a safe speed.
2) Rear-wheel skids
A skid occurs when the rear wheels lock or lose traction. To regain steering control, do this:
- Take your foot off the brake pedal if hard braking causes the rear wheels to skid.
- Ease off the gas pedal if the rear wheels lose traction.
- Shift to neutral (automatic) or push in the clutch pedal (standard).
- Look down the road in the direction you want the front of the vehicle to go and be aware of the vehicle and how it is responding to your steering.
- To regain control, steer gently in the direction you want to go.
- Once the vehicle is straight, return to a driving gear.
- Accelerate gently.
- Drive at a safe speed.
3) Four-wheel skids
Sometimes all four wheels lose traction – generally at high speeds or under poor road conditions. To regain steering control, go through these steps:
- Remove your foot from the brake or accelerator.
- Shift into neutral.
- Look and steer in the direction you want the front of the vehicle to go.
- Wait for the wheels to grip the road again.
- Return to a driving gear.
- Drive at a safe speed.
Don’t forget, you brave Canadian drivers – mount winter tires on all 4 wheels, make sure you’ve left enough space between your car and the one in front of you and stay calm while driving.
Finally, have your trusted mechanic inspect your car for winter driving conditions, so you can be sure you are safe in your vehicle. Come to our repair shops in Hamilton and Stoney Creek today!
