Fellow Canadian wintertime driving enthusiasts, rejoice! Winter is almost here. Mother Nature will soon dump frigid nastiness all over our roadways. That makes driving delightful for those who’d rather hit the road with a cup of hot chocolate in a snowstorm than stay in and think about shoveling.
Over the years, your writer has enjoyed many a Northern Ontario snowstorm from behind the wheel of some of the market’s most important new models. Along the way, I’ve come to learn that some features and systems can make winter driving even more enjoyable. And I’m not talking all-wheel drive, heated seats and remote start. Those are obvious.
If you’re shopping a new car, consider the following features to help make the best of the winter driving season.
Xenon lighting: is xenon lighting an option on the next vehicle you’re considering? Get it. Xenon lighting smokes traditional halogen when it comes to nighttime visibility – especially when the going gets snowy. Xenon lighting saturates the road ahead with clean, ultra-white light that cuts through even heavy snow. Xenon illumination also engages reflective surfaces like signs, safety vests and roadside animal eyeballs from a great distance.
That powerful, white light makes halogen bulbs look yellow and dated, and also means drivers need to strain less to see properly.
Translation?
Eye fatigue is reduced or eliminated. You’ll notice your eyes lasting far longer into a late-evening drive before feeling tired or strained. That makes driving more comfortable and safer, too. Note that a good pair of polarized driving glasses can reduce eye strain during daytime winter driving, too.
Power tailgate: Do you love getting salt and road grime all over your khakis? Me neither. So go for the power tailgate on that SUV, wagon or crossover if it’s available. You’ll never have to touch that salty, dirty exterior to load cargo or gear.
Voice command: Winter driving slowing down your trip? Many new models include voice-controllable Bluetooth phone interfaces that let drivers call ahead to inform of possible lateness, without removing their hands from the wheel or eyes from the road.
Some models even allow for voice control of other vehicle systems like climate control and infotainment. A small slip-up in the snow can lead to a big crash, so voice command not only enhances convenience, it makes for a safer drive, too.
OnStar: Working through a dedicated cellular connection, the system connects your GM vehicle to a real-life advisor whenever the need arises. If you crash, get stuck, need directions or run out of gas, the touch of a button connects you instantly with assistance. And since OnStar uses its own cellular and GPS connections, it’ll still work if your cell phone is on the kitchen table, and always knows where you are, even if you don’t.
OnStar offers up peace of mind if you lend your ride to the kids for a weekend away, and new smartphone functionality lets drivers remote-start their OnStar-equipped vehicle right from their phone.
Winter tires: Read this twice: whether your car is two- or four-wheel drive, it still only has four tire contact patches touching the road. And all-wheel drive doesn’t increase the physical grip between the car and a snowy road. Tires, the only part of the vehicle that touches the road, do.
So get yourself a set.
Even cheap winter tires will provide dramatically improved traction over all-season rubber. They give your brakes, stability control and other systems more traction to work with. You’ll enjoy increased confidence and enjoyment from your vehicle as a result.
Over the years, your writer has enjoyed many a Northern Ontario snowstorm from behind the wheel of some of the market’s most important new models. Along the way, I’ve come to learn that some features and systems can make winter driving even more enjoyable. And I’m not talking all-wheel drive, heated seats and remote start. Those are obvious.
If you’re shopping a new car, consider the following features to help make the best of the winter driving season.
Xenon lighting: is xenon lighting an option on the next vehicle you’re considering? Get it. Xenon lighting smokes traditional halogen when it comes to nighttime visibility – especially when the going gets snowy. Xenon lighting saturates the road ahead with clean, ultra-white light that cuts through even heavy snow. Xenon illumination also engages reflective surfaces like signs, safety vests and roadside animal eyeballs from a great distance.
That powerful, white light makes halogen bulbs look yellow and dated, and also means drivers need to strain less to see properly.
 |
| Photo: Matthieu Lambert/Auto123.com |
Translation?
Eye fatigue is reduced or eliminated. You’ll notice your eyes lasting far longer into a late-evening drive before feeling tired or strained. That makes driving more comfortable and safer, too. Note that a good pair of polarized driving glasses can reduce eye strain during daytime winter driving, too.
Power tailgate: Do you love getting salt and road grime all over your khakis? Me neither. So go for the power tailgate on that SUV, wagon or crossover if it’s available. You’ll never have to touch that salty, dirty exterior to load cargo or gear.
Voice command: Winter driving slowing down your trip? Many new models include voice-controllable Bluetooth phone interfaces that let drivers call ahead to inform of possible lateness, without removing their hands from the wheel or eyes from the road.
Some models even allow for voice control of other vehicle systems like climate control and infotainment. A small slip-up in the snow can lead to a big crash, so voice command not only enhances convenience, it makes for a safer drive, too.
OnStar: Working through a dedicated cellular connection, the system connects your GM vehicle to a real-life advisor whenever the need arises. If you crash, get stuck, need directions or run out of gas, the touch of a button connects you instantly with assistance. And since OnStar uses its own cellular and GPS connections, it’ll still work if your cell phone is on the kitchen table, and always knows where you are, even if you don’t.
OnStar offers up peace of mind if you lend your ride to the kids for a weekend away, and new smartphone functionality lets drivers remote-start their OnStar-equipped vehicle right from their phone.
Winter tires: Read this twice: whether your car is two- or four-wheel drive, it still only has four tire contact patches touching the road. And all-wheel drive doesn’t increase the physical grip between the car and a snowy road. Tires, the only part of the vehicle that touches the road, do.
So get yourself a set.
Even cheap winter tires will provide dramatically improved traction over all-season rubber. They give your brakes, stability control and other systems more traction to work with. You’ll enjoy increased confidence and enjoyment from your vehicle as a result.
 |
| Photo: General Motors |