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Lessons to unlearn for winter
By Joseph D. Younger
Winter driving safety has undergone an evolution, and what you learned as a teen might not reflect current thinking. In fact, today's vehicles have rendered some of those lessons obsolete. Compare the following old-school methods to what experts now consider best practice.
Old: Grip the steering wheel firmly at the 9 and 3 o'clock positions.
New: Place your hands at 8 and 4 o'clock.
The 9 and 3 o'clock hand position encourages hand-over-hand steering—an outdated technique still taught in some driver's ed classes. In a modern vehicle, the hand-over-hand technique forces you to cross your arms directly in front of the airbag: a dangerous situation. Hand-over-hand steering is also now known to increase the lateral transfer of weight in the vehicle, increasing instability and the likelihood of a skid.
Placing your hands at 8 and 4 o'clock and using the push-pull-slide technique is now considered the safest steering method. To turn right, the left hand pushes the wheel up; the right hand slides up and then pulls the wheel down, while the left hand slides back down to 8 o'clock.
Old: Never coast in neutral.
New: Take the car out of gear to slow it during a skid, or to improve braking on ice.
Most states have laws prohibiting coasting. Emergencies trump that, however. To maintain control on an icy hill, experts recommend taking the car out of gear. This removes the force from all wheels and allows the brakes to affect all four wheels equally.
In a skid, if you have the skill and presence of mind, easing off the gas and slipping the transmission into neutral will probably allow you to regain control without using the brakes. Look and steer in the direction you want the car to go, and do everything slowly and gradually.
Old: Pump the brakes.
New: Press the brakes gently with your toes.
About 60% of new cars have anti-lock braking systems (ABS) that render pumping obsolete. Steady, firm pressure on the pedal will reduce your speed and still allow you to maintain steering control.
Even if your car doesn't have ABS, the technique known as “threshold braking” will prevent lock-up. With your heel on the floor, press the brake pedal gently with your toes. When you feel the wheels begin to lock, ease off the pressure just a bit and hold it there.
Old: You can't detect black ice until it's too late.
New: Detect black ice by watching the spray on your windshield.
So-called “black ice” forms on wet pavement at freezing temperatures. At night you can't distinguish it visually from wet pavement. However, you can detect its presence by paying attention to the frequency with which you need your wipers. In wet weather, if no fine spray is thrown up on your windshield from the vehicles ahead, you can assume that the road surface is frozen.
This article originally appeared in Car & Travel magazine and is reprinted here with permission of the author.
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