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Auto Talk
How to Drive in Snow The key to driving in snow is inertia. You may remember this from back in middle school: A body at rest tends to remain at rest; a body in motion tends to remain in motion. So how do you take advantage of Sir Isaac Newton's wisdom?
Apply the gas slowly to accelerate. Don't try to get moving in a hurry. And take time to slow down for a stoplight. Remember: It takes longer to slow down on icy roads. Drive slowly Everything takes longer on snow-covered roads. Accelerating, stopping, turning—nothing happens as quickly as on dry pavement. Give yourself time to maneuver by driving slowly. Pump the brakes? (Editor's Note: The highlighted text below has been added to clarify the AutoTalk article printed in the November/December 2003 issue of EnCompass:) For vehicles without anti-lock braking systems (ABS),snow and ice can easily break the friction between the road and the tires, causing them to lock up when braking. Pumping the brakes allows the wheels to begin turning again, so you can more easily regain control of the car and slow it gently as you concentrate on steering. For vehicles equipped with Anti-Lock Braking Systems (ABS), the opposite advice applies. Pumping of the brake pedal will diminish the effectiveness of anti-lock brakes. If you have anti-lock brakes and need to stop quickly, it is best to press forcefully on your brake pedal and keep pressure on it while you concentrate on steering. Please note: During stops where the ABS system is activated, a vibration of the brake pedal may be felt and associated system noises may be heard. The system itself automatically "pumps" the brakes during severe braking conditions to prevent wheel lock-up. For those unfamiliar with anti-lock brakes, find a safe place and practice emergency stops to get a feel for this safety feature. Don't stop if you can avoid it There's a big difference in the amount of inertia it takes to start moving from a full stop versus how much it takes to get moving while still rolling. If possible, slow down enough to keep rolling until the light changes. Don't power up hills Applying extra gas on snow-covered roads just starts your wheels spinning. Try to get a little inertia going before you reach the hill and let that inertia carry you to the top. Don't stop while going up a hill There's nothing worse than trying to get moving up a hill on an icy road. Get some inertia going on a flat roadway before you take on the hill. Stay home If you really don't have to go out, don't. Even if you can drive well in the snow, not everyone else can. Don't tempt fate: If you don't have somewhere you have to be, watch the snow from indoors. This article was excerpted from AAA Auto Guide: Making Sense of Car Care, which is available at AAA offices or at www.aaa.com/barnesandnoble. |
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