Driving This Winter

Winter driving demands preparation and attention to detail

. First, youll want to gather your winter survival kit. The kit should include blankets, cigarette lighter, de-icer, first-aid kit, ice scraper, jumper cables, a mobile phone with spare battery, a rug or old sack, snow shovel, torch, towrope, water repellent spray, warning triangles, winter boots, and a winter coat. You can use the old sack or rug beneath a tire if the car becomes stuck.

The next step is to begin waking up ten minutes earlier than normal, which will give you the extra time needed to prepare. Make sure you clear all the windows thoroughly of snow and ice, and clean the hood and trunk as well. If the door lock is frozen, you can use a lighter to warm the key as needed, but dont blow on the lock since this will only worsen matters.

As you drive, keep in mind that stopping distances are 10 times longer than normal when snow and ice cover the roads. Stick to gentle manoeuvres, and drive slow enough that you can perform them easily. Accelerate and brake gradually, and dont wear your winter boots while driving since those are prone to slipping on the pedals.

Always pull away in second gear. This along with gradual acceleration will ensure proper traction and avoid any fishtailing. Due to limited traction, its important to avoid stopping on hills, so if you have to climb a hill, wait until it is clear of traffic. When travelling downhill, avoid using your brakes. The key to doing that is to shift into a lower gear and to enter the descent at an extremely slow speed.

Apply the brakes as needed gently, and if you do begin to slide, release the brakes and the clutch. In vehicles with an automatic transmission, the gearbox will do most of the work for you, but you can help it by putting it in position 2 during slippery conditions. Most modern automatics also have a winter mode that locks out 1, so go ahead and use that if available.

Warmer areas are prone to standing water and even floods during the winter months. When driving in such conditions, do it slowly and avoid creating waves. If necessary, wait for oncoming traffic to pass, and then go. Never drive through fast-moving water and never drive fast through standing water. When driving through standing water, use a low gear and keep the revs high in order to protect the engine.

by: Callum Rockwell

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