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I grew up in Wisconsin driving in snow. Even throughout a stint the place I lived and labored within the Caribbean, I discovered methods to get to the snowy mountains to ski yearly. In the present day, I drive the sketchy I-70 in Colorado almost each week. I’m sitting at Copper Mountain as I kind this.

The rationale: I do know learn how to drive within the snow safely.

Even with a contemporary, high-tech car, your expertise as a driver are essential. After not too long ago driving from the On-Snow Demo ski take a look at in Winter Park, Colo., in a whipping snowstorm, I used to be reminded that the remarkably succesful GMC Acadia I used to be testing solely enhanced my expertise. Nevertheless it wasn’t an alternative choice to good driving.

Slick climate meets the GMC Acadia on Berthoud Move; (photograph/Sean McCoy)

Drive in Snow: What Not to Do

First, take a look at the video beneath. There’s not a lot the drivers in Montreal may have completed. That’s simply an insanely slick highway. However, with out going right into a full-blown rant, let’s simply say that numerous drivers make silly errors when the white hits the bottom.

(By way of GIPHY)

Wish to find yourself within the ditch with them? Right here’s how.

Drive Quick

If the roads are snowy or icy, decelerate! Like, rather a lot. Go slower than the pace restrict — generally rather a lot slower. When you’re from Texas or California and zipping previous numerous automobiles with Colorado plates whereas rolling up I-70, you’re most likely driving too quick.

Make Sudden Lane Modifications

Wish to spin out on a slippery highway? Shortly turning your wheels is a surefire option to lose management when it’s slick. As a substitute, make clean, regular turns. Don’t attempt to immediately dart from lane to lane.

Slam on the Brakes

Fashionable vehicles have darned good anti-lock braking methods. However you already know what? Not everybody has them. Furthermore, you need to merely observe cautious, sluggish actions when driving on snowy roads, and that features braking.

Drive defensively, and begin braking a lot sooner than you would want to on dry and even moist pavement.

Mash on the Fuel

Very like braking, accelerating must be completed slowly and easily on slippery surfaces. Attempt to not spin your tires, and also you’ll preserve a lot better traction and finally speed up extra rapidly than in the event you gasoline it and wind up fishtailing throughout an intersection.

Have a look at Your Telephone

Attributable to all the explanations above, you want extra response time when driving within the snow. Don’t be a doofus and take a look at your cellphone (ever). And that goes double — no, triple — throughout a snowstorm.

Drive on Bald Tires

Not solely is it silly, however in some locations (like Colorado) it’s unlawful. You want good tires (or snow chains) within the winter. When you plan to spend so much of time in a snowy place, take into account winter snow tires, and even studded tires in the event that they’re authorized in your state.

For these making brief journeys to snowy locales who might have rather less tread than is really helpful, look into traction gadgets just like the Auto Sock or chains. They’ll get you out of a bind, particularly in the event you’re driving a two-wheel-drive automotive.

And in the event you plan to go up distant or rugged four-wheel drive roads within the winter, tire chains are almost obligatory. They can assist you each uphill and down, and in actually icy circumstances, would be the solely option to keep on the path.

Including tire chains will make any car rather more succesful on ice and snow. Right here a buddy chains up earlier than heading onto a rugged and icy hearth highway in Colorado; (photograph/Sean McCoy)

Suppose Your 4×4 Is Invincible

Sure, having four-wheel drive and all-wheel drive helps rather a lot within the snow. However you already know what? All automobiles have four-wheel braking. So your tank of an SUV will cease simply as badly as a small sedan on icy roads. Even in your huge truck, drive slowly and cautiously.

That’s about it. Take it sluggish, take it straightforward, and be ready for the worst with a good security package in your automotive. Protected travels!