By Derek Botten
Let me check my passport.
Yup! I belong here. You’d think I’d have made peace with the changing seasons over the decades. Like it or not, we live in a land with four seasons. While we may have preferences, unless we relocate, we must cope with the changes that different seasons bring. One of the biggest changes involves travelling on the roads in less-than-ideal conditions.
9 WINTER DRIVING TIPS
Here are some things to keep in mind when dealing with winter weather:
1 – Stay off your phone while driving (yes, you!). Pull over if you need to use it.
2 – Never pass a snowplow and always move over for emergency vehicles.
3 – Have you ever tried manoeuvring a boat into a slip in a marina? You know that the people who can do it well are slow and gentle at the controls. It’s the same idea when driving a vehicle during winter. Be slow and gentle when accelerating, braking and steering. The more abrupt you are, the greater the chances of losing control.
4 – If you travel at an appropriate speed for the conditions, you will have time to slow your speed when approaching corners, stops and other traffic. Remember that the posted speed limits assume optimum weather, road conditions and visibility.
5 – I personally enjoy the tech in my vehicle. The available semi-autonomous driving, lane-keeping and cruise control can all help smooth out our driving. But remember that snow and ice can often block the sensors around the vehicle, and they should not be relied upon exclusively for input. As drivers, we need to remain alert and not become complacent.
6 – If you are plowing through deep snow or the berm at the end of a driveway, remember that momentum is your friend. Don’t stop in the middle of a pile of snow. It’s more likely you will get stuck.
7 – Always test your brakes before you need them. Just as you will want to test your brakes after driving through water, you ought to test the road surface conditions, so you know if you need to leave extra room to come to a controlled stop. Remember that the most efficient way to stop, if you have ABS is to apply steady force to the pedal and let the ABS stop you without locking the wheels up and skidding. (Test this away from other cars by braking hard on a dry road or in a parking lot sometime so you are prepared for the “crunchy” sound and vibration when ABS is working correctly.) Remember that four-wheel or all-wheel drive is only good for traction when accelerating. It has no effect on stopping.
8 – Many cars are now equipped with something called “Snow Mode.” These on-board systems, when activated, control acceleration rate, traction control and ABS systems, to name a few. They give the vehicle a “heads up” that more extreme conditions are present in order to adjust these key systems.
9 – Something I have observed (and heard about from my big rig-driving brother-in-law) is drivers not giving a little extra space to 18-wheelers, especially when driving conditions aren’t optimal. Many motorists don’t realize that a trucker driving a loaded semi needs a much longer distance to stop safely when it’s wet or slippery. You must know that you are putting yourself and others at risk when you cut in front of a transport truck and slam on your brakes. The truck, perhaps carrying 50 tons more weight than you, takes much longer to stop. Trucks often ensure they have a healthy cushion, and we need to respect that.
At one time, I thought that maybe I’d enjoy living in a year-round warm climate and if I felt the desire for chattering teeth and ice in my beard, I could always fly to a snowy place for a few days to get it out of my system. (Wasn’t there some talk about annexing the Turks and Caicos Islands as a Canadian territory some years ago? Ahem! Sorry! I lost my head for a second!)
We live in a great country and part of the package includes adapting to conditions in four distinct seasons. That means making sure my vehicle’s AC is working for the summer and that I and my vehicle are equipped to reasonably handle whatever this wretched winter season throws at us!
PREPARING FOR LONGER WINTER DRIVES
• Plan the drive in advance. Know your route and the approximate driving time.
• Start with a full fuel tank or make a stop early in your drive. Your mileage is likely to be worse in winter conditions and traffic jams.
• Before you go, check forecasts and highway conditions at ontario.ca/511 or call 511.
• Make sure that someone at your destination has an idea of your estimated arrival time. Call them if weather, road closures or other delays prevent you from arriving reasonably close to that time.
• Brush snow and ice from your vehicle before you leave. Clear the roof and the hood too so there aren’t large snow drifts from your car waiting to be blown onto other vehicles as you drive. Make sure to clear mirrors and camera locations around the vehicle.
• What is the condition of your windshield wipers? They are as important as your eyesight. When was the last time your windshield washer/de-icer fluid was checked?
• Check the condition of your tires. Quality winter tires give you better handling in snow and cold conditions. Cold weather lessens tire pressure so be sure to check pressures before a trip. All-season tires are not the same as winter tires. They lose their grip when the temperature dips below 7°C. (See our Sept/Oct 2024 column on tires at bit.ly/40Owkf8)
EMERGENCY KIT ESSENTIALS
A couple of minutes gathering some items to keep in your vehicle could save your life if you became stranded during winter weather (and would be just plain handy to have any time of year).
In addition to always keeping your fuel supply topped up and having a charged-up cell phone with you, here are some things that you might include:
- Snowbrush with an ice scraper.
- Lock de-icer.
- Battery booster cables AND an extra cell phone charging cord.
- Flares (and matches or a lighter).
- Extra windshield wiper fluid.
- Roll of paper towels or wet naps.
- Flashlight and extra batteries.
- A blanket and extra clothing, including hat and gloves, and warm footwear.
- First aid kit.
- Non-perishable snacks like energy bars or nuts and water.
- Road maps or an atlas. Yup, old school, in case your electronics fail.
- Basic tools (pliers, multi-tip screwdriver, pocket knife, plastic zip ties, duct tape, spare fuses).
About the Author
Derek Botten is a gearhead, who is a former local radio broadcaster and motorcycle show promoter. He currently does voicework and writing from his home studio to finance his motorcycle and classic car habits.
