subject: Safely Conquer The Snow-covered Roads: Tips On Driving In The Snow [print this page] Driving in snow can be a huge struggle unless you really know what youre doing. People who live in Anchorage, AK, or Buffalo, NY, probably know a thing or two about driving in the snow. But those fortunate to live where the sun shines all year long could probably use a few tips if they plan on taking a trip to the mountains or if they ever want to (have to) relocate. Heres the 411 on safe driving in the snow. Everything from the obvious, like snow tires or tire chains, to the not so obvious, like running the air conditioner, is covered.
First things first, you need to get a grip. In order to have enough snow traction, your tires should have at least 6/32-inch deep tread. If you live where it snows a lot, youll want to invest in good snow tires that are just used during the snowy months. If driving in the snow isnt something youre exposed to often, youll be fine purchasing good snow chains, from a top-notch manufacturer, like Thule. Thule is a well-trusted brand when it comes to choosing reliable snow chains that are easy to use. And, Thule offers a variety of different style tire chains depending on what kind of tires you have and what kind of driving you plan on doing.
In order to see clearly through your windshield at all times, youll want to run your air conditioner. This removes condensation and frost from the interior of the windows. You dont need to have the temperature on cool air, hot air will work just fine for defrosting your windows.
Braking is a technique youll want to perfect while driving in the snow. If you have to brake suddenly , these techniques will make a huge difference. When you use anti-lock brakes, you can use the stomp, stay and steer technique. Step hard on the pedal like you are trying to snap it off, stay hard on the pedal and steer around the obstacle. Be sure not to over-steer. If youre not equipped with ABS brakes, you need to push the brake pedal hard until the wheels stop rolling, the immediately release the brake enough to allow the wheels to turn again and repeat this sequence rapidly.
Remember to watch carefully for black ice. Black ice is transparent ice that often looks like a harmless puddle. It makes the road very slick, and if you dont prepare for it, you could easily lose control of your car.
Snow driving doesnt have to be scary. If you invest in good Thule tire chains and take precautionary measures while driving, youll soon realize that a little caution can go a long ways.
