Winter Driving Preparedness – We are Prepared

PREPARING TO ENJOY WINTER DRIVING

We live in the foothills of the beautiful Rocky Mountains in Colorado! It’s a place that others only dream about living in. We have majestic vistas, a myriad of recreational opportunities, and incredibly beautiful winters. Oh, yeah, winter! Winters can be a virtual wonderland of beauty and we all enjoy this part of Colorado living but winter can also present challenges that even experienced natives can find daunting. Our families drive in the winter to go to work, school, seminary, church, the grocery store, and to the mountains to ski. We may make longer trips for vacations, holidays, or to take our kids to and from college. Let’s take a look at some things we can do to make sure we are safer while we enjoy this incredible place we call home. In this article, we present some tips that can make your winter driving much safer and more enjoyable.

BEFORE YOU GO

Let’s begin with getting ready to go. As winter approaches each year, let’s take a little time and make sure we and our cars are ready to go before we set out on our adventures big and small.

Checking your vehicle’s readiness

First, let’s look at your vehicle. Probably the most important item affecting safety on a vehicle is its tires. Check the tire pressure to make sure it’s in the recommended range. Don’t forget that in very cold weather, the tire pressure will decrease by as much as 4 to 5 pounds per square inch, so even if it was in the acceptable range a few months ago, it may now be quite a bit low. And don’t forget to check the condition and pressure of the spare tire, as well. Many gas stations and tire dealerships offer free pressure checks as a public service. Another thing to consider is the condition of the tires themselves. A quick check of the tires for bulges or cuts done now can prevent a much more serious problem later when you are on the road. And note that Colorado law requires having a minimum of 3/16 inches of tread on every tire. Colorado law also requires vehicles on Interstate and State highways in the mountains to be equipped with either all-season tires, mud/snow tires, all-wheel drive, or chains to avoid getting stuck and blocking traffic. Violators can face a hefty fine. Tire stores can help you to make sure your tires are ready for winter driving.

Also make sure that all fluids are topped off before starting out. A particularly important item here is the windshield wiper fluid. Make sure it’s not only topped off but also rated for cold temperatures, usually denoted by a “All Season” note on the container. A quick look at the windshield wipers will ensure they are ready to go if needed. Having good visibility is critical in any weather but especially in the winter where debris from sanded roads can quickly turn a clean windshield into a smeared mess.

Check levels of engine oil, transmission fluid, power steering fluid, brake fluid, and anti-freeze. Check that your brakes are in working order and don’t squeak or pulse when stopping. Check the fan belts for cracking and squealing. How old is your car battery? A questionable battery may be fine in warmer weather but can fail with the temperatures getting really cold. Most auto part stores will run a quick check of your batteries’ health, usually at no cost to you.

Make sure your gas tank is full before leaving and plan on topping it off through the trip so that the fuel level is never below half full. This will reduce the chance of moisture condensing in the tank and freezing as it passes through the fuel system. Also, please note that EV (battery operated) cars with a full charge may have a 30% reduced driving range under cold winter conditions. And be aware that the cabin heating on EV cars consumes power from the same batteries, which can reduce the range even further. One way to avoid this problem is to turn on the heater while the car is being charged so that the energy used in heating the cabin is lowered before starting out. Lowering the cabin temperature can also help with this issue.

Emergency supplies to have on board

Emergency supplies can be divided into two general categories, “Must-Have’s” and “Good-to-Haves”. We recommend you keep these emergency supplies in a tote in the trunk of every family vehicle throughout the winter and even through the summer.

Must-haves include having the following items in your vehicle:

Sturdy ice scraper or snow brush and snow shovel to clear snow,
Flashlight with extra batteries or crank-powered flashlight,
Blanket or sleeping bag,
A gallon jug of water – trying to drink melted snow for thirst can lead to hypothermia and is not recommended,
First aid kit,
Essential medications – enough for an unexpected delay,
Matches or lighter and fire starting material,
Tire chains/cables,
Tow strap – to allow a friend to get you out of that snowbank,
Cash or credit cards for an unplanned hotel or meals
Gloves,
Cell phone and charger – or back up battery power pack,
Jumper cables, and
Flares and / or reflectors to signal for help and warn other motorists.

Good-to-have’s include having the following items in your vehicle:

Battery or crank-powered radio to listen to emergency broadcasts,
Extra set of clothes, including coat, hat, mittens, boots, etc.,
A box of chemical hand warmers,
Non-perishable snacks like granola bars,
Non-clumping kitty litter or sand for traction under the tires,
Tire plug/patch kit,
Emergency air compressor that plugs into the cigarette lighter, and
Deck of cards or board game for entertainment.

Assess the Driver’s (or your) Limitations

This one may seem awkward at first but doing it could avoid a life-threatening situation. A good common-sense assessment of the driver(s) would determine the maturity of the individual drivers, their alertness, their physical fitness to handle tasks such as changing a tire, digging out of a snowbank, etc., and their experience driving in winter conditions,

Is it safe to go NOW?

This is another commonsense decision, but an important one. What does the weather forecast predict? Are there places along the route that are particularly dangerous in wintertime? (Think Vail pass on I-70!) Would it be wise to call the State Highway Patrol or Department of Transportation or check their websites about road conditions along the planned route? Should you delay your trip a day or so until a predicted storm passes? These are all personal decisions but it’s important to weigh the consequences of a late arrival against the risks of an accident or serious delay in travel.

ON THE ROAD (AGAIN! With apologies to Willie Nelson)

OK, you’ve done all of the preparation, the car’s ready and everybody’s packed up and ready to go. Now, let’s consider some aspects of the actual trip itself. These will be addressed under the categories of “Driving Tips” and “Emergency Tactics” and have been derived from numerous recognized sources available from local and nationally recognized organizations.

Driving Tips

Remember that winter driving can demand a more careful approach than driving in warmer weather. Some specifics are as follows;

Before starting out, make sure all passengers are wearing or at least have winter appropriate clothing in the vehicle. We too often think “I’m just going a mile to the store (or school or church) and the car is warm and it will be warm there so I will be fine in shorts and a t-shirt”. The saying “Dress for success” can be applied to winter driving. Dress as if your car will get stuck or break down and you will have to go outside to remedy the problem or get help. In the car make sure all passengers are buckled up. Remember to turn on your headlights, even during daylight to help others see you coming. When driving at night, keep your headlight beams low. High beams can amplify the appearance of snow and lead to decreased visibility and possibly blind oncoming drivers.

Also, remember that posted speed limits were designed for warm, dry weather and it may be wise to drive more slowly on wet or icy roads. A good rule of thumb is to not drive faster than you can see ahead. High speeds in poor visibility can lead to crashes and dangerous chain reactions. Go slowly so your tires can push water through their grooves and maintain traction.

Don’t tailgate! Leave extra room between your vehicle and others. Under snowy or icy conditions 4WD/AWD vehicles will provide more traction and control when braking but cannot stop any quicker on slick roads, especially if you do not have adequate tires. Leave even more room between vehicles on downhill slopes. Generally. keep at least three seconds’ distance from the vehicle in front of you And when going uphill keep momentum when traveling uphill to avoid getting stuck. Remember the multiple car pile-ups on I-70 you’ve seen on the daily news, many of which could be avoided if only drivers didn’t tailgate. Don’t join that group!

Don’t pump ABS brakes. If your vehicle was made after 1994, chances are it has antilock brakes. This safety technology completely changes how you should brake. In a slippery situation, drivers were traditionally taught to pump brakes to avoid lockup. But ABS systems do the pumping for you, so you must not do it yourself, or you may lose control of the vehicle. When the ABS activates, you’ll hear grinding noises and feel the system vibrating — that’s normal, so don’t panic. When braking on bad surfaces with ABS, simply steer in the direction you want to go. If your car doesn’t have ABS, pump your brakes slowly and gently when you need to stop.

We all love having cruise control or adaptive cruise control but for slick roads and mountain driving, turn it off. This is because normally, when you hydroplane or slide, you can ease off the gas to slow the car and maintain control. (Braking makes things worse.) But if you slide with cruise control on, the drive tires will continue to spin at the set speed, so when you regain traction, you’ll rocket off in whatever direction you’re facing. So, for better control, leave cruise control off. When coming down a steep pass in icy conditions, downshift to keep your car at a safe speed without having to ride the brakes. A good rule of thumb is use the same gear coming down the mountain that you used going up the mountain. Even cars with automatic transmissions can be downshifted. However, suddenly downshifting at high speeds can cause you to go into skid just like sudden hard braking can.

Follow Colorado’s Left Lane Law. No matter the season, keep right except to pass.

Snowplows -”It’s the Law”!

Here in Colorado, you will frequently encounter snow plows clearing the road ahead. Here are a few laws (and the reasons for those laws) to be aware of:

Tandem Snow Plow Law: Here in Colorado, it is illegal to pass a snowplow when it is displaying its lights and operating in a tandem formation with one or more snowplows. Tandem plowing staggers multiple plows to cover all lanes and clear the entire roadway in one sweep. This is the safest and most efficient snow removal method. It is illegal and extremely dangerous for motorists to try and pass plows in this formation because you could encounter white-out conditions and ridges of snow between lanes. Just chill out and relax – they will be done soon!

Never pass on the right! Plows are designed to push all the snow, slush, rocks and other debris to the right of the plow. That debris could damage your car and temporarily obstruct your view.

Don’t crowd the snowplow. Plows frequently drop de-icer and sand, so make sure you stay back three to four car lengths. If you’re too close, those could hit your car. You also never know when a plow might need to suddenly stop, so make sure you have plenty of room to do the same.

Emergency Tactics

When accelerating on snow or ice, avoid spinning your wheels because that actually reduces traction and control. Spinning your tires on snow or ice actually melts some of the ice or snow and creates a thin layer of slippery water between the tire and the ice. Accelerating slowly from a stop in second gear rather than first reduces the power to the wheels, decreases the likelihood of spinning out, and maintains the most possible friction and traction between the tires and the snow or ice. If you still keep spinning out and can’t get unstuck, digging out the snow in front of the tires and spreading a little sand or kitty litter in front of the tires will often increase traction enough to get going again. In deep snow, tire chains or cables greatly increase traction and control and can be a life saver.

On slippery roads, brake or change speeds, and turn slowly and gently. Signal early before a turn, stop, or lane change. Move over safely when approaching first responders or law enforcement responding to emergency incidents on the side of the road.

Uh-oh! You’ve started to skid! Don’t panic, just turn the wheels in the direction of the skid and let off the gas. This allows the tires to regain traction and increase control of the car.

For Front Wheel Drive Vehicles: What if you’ve turned the wheel, but you keep sliding in your original direction? Don’tcut the wheel harder. Let off the gas (avoid braking if you can) and ease up on the turn — if you’re trying to turn right, turn the wheel a bit back to the left. That makes it easier for your tires to control your momentum. When you regain control, steer normally in the direction you want to go, then accelerate slowly.

Double uh-oh! If you encounter a multi-car collision, stay in your car. You’re safer in your car than outside of it.

If, despite everything you do, you’re stuck in a serious storm, do not leave your vehicle. It provides shelter from the wind and snow and will be warmer than outside. Running the engine periodically can help keep the car warm but can also cause carbon monoxide to accumulate in the car and cause sickness or even death. Instead, use the blankets, extra clothing, and chemical hand warmers you should have in your car to stay warm, call for help on your cell phone, and wait for help to arrive. Do not use a fire in your car to keep warm. If you must have a fire to keep warm, it’s better to make a fire outside in a safe, sheltered space. We don’t want you to be found frozen in a snow drift come spring!

IN SUMMARY

Living in Colorado is a privilege! There is so much to do and enjoy and winter season opens the door to so much of it. By simply incorporating the information presented herein you can enjoy a safer, more stress-free driving experience and be able to enjoy more that our area offers. If you would like to get additional information, go online and click on any of many detailed articles expertly written by the Colorado Department of Transportation, American Automobile Association, various law enforcement departments, insurance companies and so forth. And happy driving in this wonderful country of ours! Be safe!

Disclaimer: Please note: This article is believed to be based upon sound driving practices and is intended for informational purposes only. Neither the author nor any other related persons or organizations are responsible or liable for the results of using this information.

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