Driving Safety Tips to Help You Weather the Winter Forecast

By brwood (view all posts by brwood)
at 9:55AM Tuesday January 18, 2011
under Money Saving Tips

Greetings from sunny California where today it was about 80. I used to be like you, I used to live in the Great White North, and I'm here to help. Unlike you, I've never gotten my car stuck in the snow or ice. Sure, I've lost traction and had the tires spin and been unable to proceed momentarily, but never was there a time when I had to give up and call the tow truck or walk home.

What does this have to do with saving money? Well, it may save your life, it could certainly save your job, and at the very least it will save you time. If I can help you avoid damaging your car, then that is an extra benefit. I promise the few minute you spend reading this in the warmth of your house will be worth it when time is ticking and your wheels are spinning in the snow.

There was a time when I caused an accident in my own driveway at less than 5 mph. One car insisted on going diagonally no matter where the wheels were pointed, but the damage buffed right out. Then there was the time on the way to school when I made a left turn up a slight hill and just couldn't make any headway. After turning around and making a second try, I had to give up and take a different route. I think my proudest moment was backing a U-haul box truck on 6 bald tires down an unplowed alley in Boston. After the second try I realized the only way it was going to work was to get some momentum up and just go for it. It was a bumpy ride, but it worked--and getting out was a breeze in comparison.

The important thing every time was that I got where I was going. Rule one for getting your car unstuck, is not getting stuck in the first place. I suppose that's really rule number zero, and it's pretty obvious.

0) Try not to get stuck.

1) Think! - The worst thing to do is just get in the car and step on the gas. If the car is "plowed in" or if you have just gotten stuck, put the car in park and take inventory of the situation. If it's safe, get out and do a walk around and see what the issues are.

2) Clear any obstructions - This is much more applicable to getting out of a plowed in parking space than with most other situations, but it's a good idea in any case. You want to make the going as easy as possible for your tires by knocking down the hill of snow that usually accumulates in front of or behind the wheels.

3) Rock the car forward and back - If you can move it at all in forward and reverse, quickly alternate back and forth. When you get it right you will move more in each direction with each attempt until you manage to crest the indentations of the tires. Depending on your car, this may be difficult. Some cars won't let you shift into reverse unless you step on the brakes--in which case you just use drive and neutral.

4) Turn the steering wheel back and forth (front wheel drive) - If the front wheels are spinning, try turning the steering wheel left to right with the car in gear. If you are lucky the motion of the wheels and the steering will cause the tires to slide sideways enough to bite into a fresh bit of snow that isn't polished to a mirror smooth patch of ice.

5) Add sand, salt and/or kitty litter to taste - If you drive a car or truck with rear wheel drive the weight of a few bags in the trunk will help with traction. In the event you get stuck, you can sprinkle handfuls on the snow or ice under and in the path of the tires. The gritty nature of the sand and kitty litter will help bite through the ice. Salt will just melt it, but salt will cause rust with time, so don't get too much on your car.

6) Sacrifice your floor mats - The floor mats are usually made out of a pretty tough combination of rubber and carpet. Try sticking the edge right up against the tire in the direction you are trying to go. If you do it right, you'll drive right over your mats. You may have to do this several times until you can continue to drive normally. You're going to need new mats afterward.

7) Let air out of your tires - By now you know which are the driven wheels; they are the ones spinning. Take the valve stem cap off, press the little wire in the center of the stem down and let out some air. How much do you let out? If you start to notice the tire looking low, stop. What you have effectively done is turn your wheels into mini tank treads. Be sure to stop and fill them up at the nearest gas station after you've gotten mobile.

8) Ask for help - Many times asking passers-by for a hand pushing is the quickest way out of a situation like this. Sometimes, if you are in a remote area or it's too early or late, you are out of luck. You just going to have to help yourself or wait.

9) Wait for spring - Or at least wait until you can find some help. Whatever you do don't wait in a stuck car with the motor running. Run the car for a brief time with the heater on, and then shut it off. The exhaust fumes can build up before you know it, and the next thing you know you'll wake up dead.

Hopefully this has been helpful. Remember if you are driving on a decreased traction surface (mud, snow, ice, sand, or even rain to a lesser extent) you want to conserve your momentum and make only gradual inputs. Go slowly, stop slowly and turn slowly. Too much gas spins the wheels. Too much brakes will plow a little pile of snow in front of your wheels. Turn your wheels suddenly and the car will continue straight, but without you controlling the steering anymore. The best thing to do (and most fun) is to find an empty unplowed parking lot and practice a little. If anyone asks, just tell them it's a learning exercise, but try not to look like you are having too much fun.

How do you manage driving in winter conditions? Share your tips and tricks with us in the comments.