Driving in icy conditions, and other tips for Winter driving.

oldscoil

Hi Folks,


I’m just wondering if anyone has any tips for driving in these icy conditions.

I found myself driving in a lower gear, not really sure why I was doing this, but instead of jumping into third or fourth, I tried to keep it to second whilst driving out of my estate. Speed is a factor here obviously…..but it felt like I was getting more traction, but don’t quote me on that!!!!


Also the age old question of hitting an icy spot!!

Do you steer into it, or steer out of hit?

Do you hit the breaks or not.

Any info appreciated folks.

Thanks in advance.

DriveSkill

Well I guess the best advice is only go driving if absolutely necessary - especially if you are inexperienced.

If you do have to do out then there are a few general tips.

• First and foremost you need to drive smoothly, no quick acceleration, no hard braking and no sharp turns of the steering wheel.
• Stay in as high as gear as possible. Given that the speeds are going to be slow this typically would mean 3rd gear where you would normally use 2nd etc. Change gears sooner than normal but dont accelerate through the gears - just build up the speed gradually.
• Perhaps most importantly keep an eye on the road, sometimes its obvious where there is frost or ice and other times it is impossible to see - generally known as 'black ice' as it is completely transparent and so you see the road right through (hence the name!). If you have a temp guage in the car be cautious if the drops below 2 degrees and very careful if it drops below 0.
• Allow for longer braking distances and slow down coming up to traffic lights, roundabouts etc - you do not want to end up braking suddenly.
• If you do end up in a skid and provided the speed is low the good news is you should be able to recover it safely- if you dont panic! So, if you feel the car skidding then immediately ease off the accelerator, do not brake, gently steer in the direction that the car is skidding and as soon as traction returns steer back on course. Now this is all easier said that done as it all happens very very quickly so try and remain calm.

Be careful out there and safe driving!

daveharnett

oldscoil wrote: »

I found myself driving in a lower gear, not really sure why I was doing this, but instead of jumping into third or fourth, I tried to keep it to second whilst driving out of my estate. Speed is a factor here obviously…..but it felt like I was getting more traction, but don’t quote me on that!!!!


Also the age old question of hitting an icy spot!!

Do you steer into it, or steer out of hit?

Do you hit the breaks or not.

First of all, everything that drivingskill is entirely correct. I would just add to this point:

DriveSkill wrote: »

[*]Stay in as high as gear as possible. Given that the speeds are going to be slow this typically would mean 3rd gear where you would normally use 2nd etc.

There are also a few situations where you should be using a lower gear than usual, to benefit from engine braking. For instance, if you are travelling downhill to a junction, drop through the gears earlier than usual. This will help to shed speed gradually without sitting on the brake pedal. Particularly at quieter junctions where ice is very likely, you should be creeping the last 10 feet to the stop line in first.

No, a lower gear doesn't give you more traction, it gives you more torque which is not really useful on icy roads.

As to skids, bear in mind that the car's grip is lower than usual in these conditions. All of your inputs (steering, acceleration, braking) place demands on this grip. If the demand exceeds the supply, you start to skid.

Which way you steer depends on the type of slide (link). Tbh, the theory isn't much use - you won't have time to remember it when that kerb is approaching. The only solution is experience. I would seriously recommend getting an experienced driver to bring you to a large, icy, obstruction free, completely deserted car park for some practice. In these conditions, you can induce and learn to control every type of skid at no more than 5mph.

Wishbone Ash

Ensure that all windows are defrosted and clear before moving off. If you are running late, don't be tempted to do a rushed job. Have a can of de-icer in the car in case you don't have access to warm water. (If possible, buy the de-icer before frost/snow arrives as it tends to sell out very quickly).

Use the special windscreen wash which has anti freeze added as the jets tend to remain frozen long after the car has heated up. Otherwise, you'll have difficulty clearing mucky spray coming from large vehicles.

DriveSkill wrote: »

If you have a temp guage in the car be cautious if the drops below 2 degrees and very careful if it drops below 0

I would just add that drivers shouldn't be too reliant on the temp guage. It gives a reading of the air temperature - not the road temperature which may be much lower. For example, around mid-morning,the temp guage may read 5 degrees but there may still be 'black' ice on the road.

dudara

I'll reiterate the points regarding the high gears, (I heard someone on the radio advocating low gears - crazy!) and driving as smoothly as possible. Adjust your braking times. Try not to tap the brakes or do anything sudden.

Don't set off unless your windscreens and rear windows etc are clear. Take a few extra minutes in the morning to clear your view.

Degag

Why should you drive in a higher gear than normal?

sxt

The higher the gear the less likely you will be able to accelerate the wheels which may lead to a skid.

Reloc8

better control, prevent wheelspin.

you should try and pull off in second if possible - avoid polishing the road surface for yourself.

exsitingisinit

The higher the gear the more rev, but it is like moving off a bicycle in 10th gear, you put in loads of power but get little speed back.

So driving on ice should be high gears but LOW speed. Also make sure you slow down when traveling in a straight line.

Degag

Thanks guys, any tips for driving on a hilly single lane road? There is a **** of a hill that i simply can not get up. Is the answer just not to bother trying?

exsitingisinit

Degag wrote: »

Thanks guys, any tips for driving on a hilly single lane road? There is a **** of a hill that i simply can not get up. Is the answer just not to bother trying?

Don't do it because there are to many factors involved. If you do try it don't let you wheels spin, easy, easy easy.