18 Jan How to Drive Safely in the Snow

We, at Provo Car Doctors want you to be SAFE this winter.  We hope that this information is helpful to  you.

1. PRACTICE – If you are a new driver or if you are new to driving in the snow. DO NOT Grit your teeth and just GO FOR IT.  This is hazardous to your health and dangerous to everyone around you.  The next time that you find snow on the road:.
   1. Get an experienced weather driver to help Mentor you.
   2. Go to a large snow-covered parking lot (one without cars). Pick a place with a minimum of obstacles like light poles, etc.
   3. Slowly practice Starting without spinning your wheels, Stopping without sliding. After getting comfortable doing this at slow speeds, try starting and stopping at a slightly higher speed.  Always go slow enough to maintain control.
   4. Now slow back down and try turning the car each direction. Again, increase your speed after you are comfortable with turning.  Next try turning each way at a slightly higher speed.  Go slow enough to maintain control.
   5. Now comes the scary part: In an area that is free of obstacles, try increasing the speed slightly as you turn. You want to do this so that you can experience the feel of the car drifting in the snow.  Do this as the slowest speed that will cause the car to drift.  Always make sure that the area around you is clear of obstacles.
   6. Learn to Control the car. Once the car breaks loose and starts to drift, turn the steering wheel in the direction of the slide.  This typically means that if you are turning to the left when the car starts to slide (drift) you will turn the steering wheel in the opposite direction (to the right).  Reverse this when the car slides to the right (turn to the left).  Think of it as always trying to turn the car back to the direction that you were going before you started to slide.  Remember to turn the wheel gently.  The sliding & panic always amplifies everything, so correct gently.  Also, when the car starts to slide, take your foot off the gas, it will automatically start to slow down.  Hitting the brake will likely cause the car to slide more.

2. Accelerate and decelerate slowly.
3. Drive Avoid distractions like Cell Phones, Eating, etc.
4. The normal dry pavement following distance of three to four seconds should be increased to eight to ten seconds. Ask your Mentor to help you to understand following distance.
5. Use your brakes gently.
6. While obeying all traffic laws, don’t stop unnecessarily.
7. Don’t accelerate up hills.
8. Don’t stop going up a hill.
9. If you are afraid, Stay home, or call for a ride with an experienced driver.
10. Make sure that your car is mechanically sound. Stop by at Provo Car Doctors for a FREE TRIP INSPECTION to be certain that your car is up to the added challenges of winter driving.

Enjoy your winter driving and visit our FaceBook page for some very exciting winter trips.