Driving in the winter is no joke, especially in the great state of Nebraska. Even when it isn’t snowing, sleeting, producing icy rain, or just foggy and dreary; the sheer low of the temperatures in the winter is enough to cause serious safety concerns. Even though this likely isn’t your first winter surviving these conditions, or as the saying goes “It’s not your first rodeo”, it is helpful to be reminded of tips and ways to stay safe on the road.
When we think of preparing our vehicle for winter conditions, tires generally come to mind first. There has been a lot of research taking place recently regarding how tires are engineered to handle inclement conditions specific to our unique geography. The general consensus is that there are some tires that are better than others; but unfortunately sometimes the name of the tire or associated branding can be misleading. Nick Vuko, owner of Walker Tire and Quick Nick’s locations in Lincoln, advises “With the recent release of the fact that all-season tires are not designed for ice snow or slush; it is imperative that all drivers know the following information. It’s been 37 years since the term ‘all-season’ was marketed in this country. Today, we are the only country in the world that has all-season tires. In 1934, Nokian tyre invented the snow tyre. In 2000, Nokian invented the ALL-WEATHER tyre. The difference in all-weather versus all-season is this: all-weather tyres are designed for driving in year-round conditions whether dry, wet , snow , slush, ice, etc. All-season tires are not designed for snow, ice or slush. You can have all wheel drive, 4 wheel drive, or front wheel drive but the only thing that touches the road is the tires. This is where safety begins! This year we would like to invite all to stop in at any Walker Tire location and see why these tires are regarded as the world’s best. Most people use the internet to get data in making a decision. ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS STOP IN AND SEE SAFETY IN ACTION…with your life on the line it would be a smart choice in picking the safest tire for you and your family.”
As you prepare to be on the road this winter, Sherri Stock of inMOTION Auto Care advises that there are three key factors to keep in mind when you’re adapting to winter driving conditions. They are Visibility, Traction, and Driving Style. She says, “Reduced visibility and traction are the primary factors that make winter driving most difficult. It’s the driving style you choose that will determine how well you cope with the hazards of winter, not to mention the hazards provoked by other drivers.” She also offers a breakdown of the three factors:
VISIBILITY – Coping with visibility problems needs to begin before you even get behind the wheel. It includes:
• Allow enough time to clear off the snow and ice.
• Clear snow, ice and frost off all the windows, inside and outside.
• Don’t forget mirrors, headlamps and tail lamps.
• Break your wiper blades loose, in front and in the rear if applicable. Failure to do this simple step can shear the splines on the wiper motor, and then your wipers won’t work at all.
• Clear washer nozzle area to allow fluid to reach the windshield.
• Don’t drive with the heater on recirculation mode. Doing so recirculates interior air that keeps increasing in humidity—from melting snow and from your own breath. That moisture-rich air creates frost on the inside of the windows, often faster than the defroster canclear it.
• Be seen. Drive with your headlights on!
TRACTION – All the control you have over your vehicle, whether through the steering wheel, accelerator or the brakes is delivered through four palm-sized patches of rubber where the tires meet the surface of the road. On dry pavement, most of us seldom use more than 30-40% of the traction available. There remains a substantial safety margin so we rarely get into trouble in dry conditions. If we continue to drive the same way in winter conditions that safety margin will not only be diminished, but in many circumstances it will be exceeded. The result: wheel spin, skidding, or both.
This is where DRIVING STYLE comes in. The key to achieving maximum control can be summed up in one word: Smooth! Any quick force applied on the tires, whether through the steering wheel, gas pedal, or brake pedal, can cause a tire to slip or slide. The result: Loss of control. If your vehicle has anti-lock brakes (ABS), read your owner’s manual for operational instructions. NEVER pump the brake pedal if you have ABS brakes. It is also important to note that bridges and overpasses freeze before normal road surfaces, so always be prepared for a change in traction. Always allow additional distance for stopping, as ABS brakes will not make your vehicle stop faster but they will, however, let you stay in control. Also allow additional time to reach your destination, slow down, and avoid making sudden moves including fast turns, hard acceleration and panic stops. If you don’t have time to slow down, do you really have time for an accident?
Stock also advises that you keep your gas tank at least half full to minimize condensation and provide an extra margin of comfort and safety just in case of delays. She emphasizes that winter road conditions require your extra attention. Staying off the phone, driving at a safe and legal speed, buckling up, and driving alert and sober will ensure that you safely make it to your destination.
Tracy Webb, Director of Driving Safety Programs with the Nebraska Safety Council, adds more important things to be aware of when preparing your vehicle for winter:
1. Make sure your battery is in good condition, for example terminals clean and free of corrosion. Why? The battery is one of the first things that cold affects. You don’t want to be stranded in a storm without a reliable battery.
2. Belts and hoses are in good shape, not cracked. Why? Because if belts and/or hoses break, the car is not going anywhere.
3. Heater and defroster are working properly. Why? It is imperative to keep all of the glass in the car free of fog, ice and snow for visibility.
4. Tires are properly inflated and have good tread. Why? As the air temperature gets colder the air pressure in tires drop. Proper inflation and tread are important for traction and stopping.
He states, “One thing you will learn as you drive is that when something goes wrong with your car, it is never at the most opportune time such as just pulling into your drive at home. Breakdowns often occur on lonely stretches of road, late at night, or during rush hour traffic. A good rule of thumb is simply to not travel unless absolutely necessary. When the TV and radio stations advise you not to travel unless it is necessary, they usually mean it. If you do become stranded, do not leave your car unless you are sure you can improve the situation. You should remain with your care as emergency personnel will check stranded vehicles for occupants and staying with your car offers you protection from the elements.”
As a business or property owner, another service that is essential to keeping everyone safe while they are out and about in winter weather is snow removal. Along with their home improvement services, The Restoration Pro’s offer snow removal services that are perfect for cleaning snow away from essential parking lots, driveways, entrances, and paths that need to be navigated to get people to and from their car to the building safely and with little hassle. Not only does proper snow removal in a timely manner show the community that you are on top of the situation and care about their safety, it also eliminates circumstances that will impede or discourage people who are trying to get to your business.
When it comes to winterizing your vehicle, there are certain things that you should prepare your vehicle for before the weather takes a turn for the worst. Tim Richter of Miracle Mile Motors stresses preparing your vehicle ahead of time, and offers the following tips:
• Make sure your batter terminals and connections are clean. An easy way to clean them is just to use a solution of baking soda and water with a wire brush.
• Tires are very important. Make sure you have the right type of tires with good tread on your car. Also, if tires are too old they get brittle and lose their grip. Always check to make sure there are no cracks, be aware of the last time you purchased new tires, and check to make sure there is still a decent amount of tread remaining.
• Make sure all lights are clean as you will be driving in a lot more darkness on a daily basis. Cloudy and foggy headlights are a common issue, and can easily be cleaned and restored to their maximum capabilities at a reasonable cost.
• Check your antifreeze! Also, make sure the type of antifreeze you are using is protecting your vehicle below 35 degrees.
• Make sure your belts and hoses are all working properly and not leaking or worn.
• Always have plenty of windshield washer fluid, not only in your vehicle but extra on-hand.
• It is always a good idea to get a standard winter check-up that includes all of the items listed as well as other items such as your brakes. This can also include an electrical test to see if your battery is good and if your alternator is putting out the proper wattage.
Richter concludes, “As a general rule, the best way to have all of these things checked out is to have a professional take a look at your vehicle. This will ensure that you have covered all of the bases and your vehicle will safely get you where you need to go this winter. Especially make sure to watch the weather, specifically the temperature and conditions to expect, before you hit the road this winter. Black ice is a real threat. It doesn’t’ actually have to be raining or snowing for black ice to be present, it can even simply be misty or foggy. And always have a winter kit in your car–you never know when you will need it. Overall, it is just better to be safe than sorry.”
Matt Lingen of Performance Toyota agrees that it is crucial to make sure your car is of sound maintenance before winter conditions exist. He says, “Although cars today don’t require a lot of winterizing because of the high quality tires on the market and coolant that you don’t have to replace for up to 120,000 miles, it is still very important to make sure everything is in proper working order. Especially pay attention to the tread on your tires, as too little may cause an unnecessary hazard as it will not grip as well on rice and snow so you will not only run the risk of getting stuck but sliding also. We follow the general rule of replacing when the tread is at 5/32” for the winter, as opposed to the regularly acceptable 3/32”. There are two easy things that you can personally control, no matter how much or little you know about vehicles, which can really make a difference. First, make sure you have over ½ a tank of gas in your car at all times. This provides an element of security knowing that if an emergency happens, you can safely and comfortably remain in your vehicle for an extended amount of time until help arrives. Second, your washer fluid being full in conjunction with having decent wiper blades is a simple thing that makes a world of difference. If you can’t see out of your windshield to begin with, it really doesn’t matter what visibility conditions exist.”
Being prepared is always a good idea, but with winter conditions it’s a necessity and can be a lifesaver. We have compiled a list of items that could be kept in a small duffle bag or backpack that should be tucked in your trunk just in case:
• First Aid Kit • Jumper Cables • Fire Extinguisher • Roadside Flares
• Bright Flashlight and Extra Batteries (if you’re travelling with kids, more than one is a good idea in case you’re stuck for a while)
• Handi-Wipes • Good Ice Scraper • Small Shovel • Pen and Paper
• Disposable Camera for Accident Photos • Extra Fuses
• Candles and a Lighter or Matches • Kitty Litter or Sand
• Leatherman Multi-Purpose Tool
• Small Roll of Duct Tape (this stuff has been proven to temporarily fix many things, just ask MacGyver!)
• Blankets
• Extra gloves and a wool cap (60% of your body heat leaves through your head)
• Snack Items (nuts, candy bars, and/or energy bars)
Sherri Stock of inMOTION Auto Care stresses, “Take the few extra minutes at the beginning of the season, or any time you leave your house during inclement weather, to prepare. You and your passengers will be glad you did!”
When driving in winter weather, as careful as you may be, sometimes the best answer is simply not to drive when inclement weather conditions make driving a hazard. However, that is most often easier said than done as it is very difficult to stop our slow the pace of our lives and our schedule of daily activities just because Mother Nature is intent on being a jerk. This is another situation where the more prepared you are, and the more you know, the better able you will be to keep you and your family safe when you must be out on the road in bad weather.