Tyre Tips - How To Drive In Snow Safely

Driving on wet and snowy surfaces are two different things. Know how to drive safely in the snow.

You might have come across various pieces of news related to fatal accidents or unpleasant conditions faced by people driving over snowy roads. Of all kinds of roads, the ones with snow over them are the most difficult to drive on. It is due to a lack of traction and friction between the tyres and the surfaces of the road.

So, it is crucial to drive more cautiously on such snowy roads, for which there are some tips and tricks, which are as follows:

• While driving over a snow-covered road, it is essential to drive very slowly at lower rpm. If you are driving your vehicle at a faster pace, there are chances that you might face the possibility of skidding during panic braking or sudden movement of steering. Driving your vehicle at a slower pace gives you ample time to gradually brake and turn it in a safer direction.

• While it is important to drive slowly, it is also crucial not to stick to the first gear. To maintain the traction and acceleration of your vehicle, drive your vehicle in a higher gear, primarily second gear, for as long as possible. Doing this will reduce the chances of slipping of wheels, which is a common phenomenon while applying brakes over a snowy road.

• Compared to a dry road, the braking distance usually increases on a snowy road due to a lack of friction. For ensuring that you do not crash with any other vehicle in front of you on the road, it is crucial to maintain a safe distance between you and any other vehicle. For a safer side, try to have a gap eight to ten times larger than what you usually maintain on a usual road.

Also Read: Tyre Care Tips For Winters: Safe Is The New Cool!

• The lack of friction and traction is even more evident if you are driving your vehicle on an inclined hilly road covered with snow. On such roads, drive with enough room both in the front as well as on the sides. It will reduce the possibilities of sideways impact as well, which is a common phenomenon while driving on a snowy road due to lack of traction.

• While on a flat snowy road, it is recommended to drive in higher gears, especially in second gear. However, the condition becomes the opposite on a downhill road covered with snow. While descending on a slope or driving your vehicle on a downhill road, ensure that you are engaged in a lower gear. It will reduce the chances of sudden braking, which can lead to the locking of wheels. While driving on a downhill road, maintaining enough gap from other vehicles is also recommended.

• If you are driving in such a condition that requires a lot of braking action, it is advisable to rely more on engine braking rather than the frequent application of only the brake pedal. Engine braking is the process of reducing the speed of a vehicle by taking off your foot from the accelerator pedal and downshifting without applying the brakes – both handbrake and footbrake. However, if you cannot maintain enough grip during engine braking, you can also use the footbrake simultaneously.

• Before you steer your vehicle while approaching a turn on a curvy road, make sure you gradually start applying the brakes before turning. There might be chances that you lose grip and control over the vehicle and begin to slide sideways. However, if you face such a situation, avoid using the accelerator and point the steering in the same direction in which you want to move.

• If your vehicle starts sliding sideways from the rear while driving over a snowy road, it is advisable to turn the steering in the opposite direction to which the vehicle is sliding. What this means is, if the vehicle you are driving is sliding left from the rear, steer it rightwards. However, while doing this, make sure that you do not lift your hands from the steering wheel at all. Also, avoid fully pressing the brake pedal in such a condition.

• To make sure that you are visible to others on a snowy road and have complete visibility of the road ahead, drive your vehicle with its headlamps on. In addition to this, while facing extremely low visibility, turn on the fog lamps as well.

• If you are driving on a snowy road that is regularly driven over by vehicles, it is advisable to not drive over the wheel tracks produced by other vehicles. It is because pressed snow due to tyres is icier as compared to freshly fallen snow. In such situations, try to maintain traction over fresh snow.

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