Winter is slow showing up in the Greater Montreal area, while in other, more northern regions, the snow has already piled up. No matter where you live, you have to change your driving habits. This series of articles will serve as a review of the techniques and the risk factors related to winter driving. We'll explain the braking and driving techniques in various situations in order to help you deal with the laws of physics and to have a trouble-free winter time.
How to "read" the roadIn the fall, the temperature begins to drop, especially at night, and morning dew appears. When the temperature is below 0
oC, bridges begin to freeze, even before roads. If the pavement looks like a mirror, it most likely means that you're driving on an iced-over surface, otherwise known as black ice. Fall rains also help to anticipate precarious road conditions: when following a vehicle, if you notice that the tires don't spray any water, it means that the weather is getting colder and that you'll soon have to deal with ice. In the city, if the snow falls lightly but steadily, you'll notice that the surface becomes sloppier in the streets and, in the meantime, harder and more polished at intersections; consequently, there's a greater risk of sliding when braking or taking off. Wet snow makes lane changing maneuvers more difficult because it creates a strong resistance on the wheels and your vehicle can veer off from your intended path. High winds are also to be feared: they can make your vehicle change direction while filling the roads with dangerous snow heaps.
The laws of physicsYour vehicle is a moving mass and, as a driver, you apply weight transfers to this mass. At take-off, the weight up front decreases and transfers to the rear. This is great for a RWD vehicle but not for a FWD vehicle. In the latter case, the driving wheels will have a tendency to overspin and to skid since the front end is lighter. When braking, your car's weight transfers back to the front, which means there is more pressure (grip) on these tires but less on the rear ones. Now, consider all the weight transfers that influence your vehicle when you drive into a curve and you'll realize that your tires are put under tremendous stress. If you drive an SUV, the high center of gravity leads to a greater weight transfer than with a normal car.
Driving positionDuring winter, it's harder to position a vehicle on the road and to get a
good feel of it. And not just because of the snow. Our big winter coats, boots and gloves impede our actions with the steering wheel, the controls and the pedals. It's important to adjust the seat and, therefore, the driving position. Keep your hands at 9 and 3 o'clock on the steering wheel. Your arms have to remain slightly bended and not fully extended; your shoulders should be in contact with the seatback at all times when you turn the wheel. To make sure that's the case, place your wrist at the top of the steering wheel and adjust your seat accordingly.
If you plan a long trip (over an hour), it would be wise to stop a few minutes after the interior of your vehicle has warmed up and to take off your coat. You'll be more comfortable to drive.
Space for your feetThe arrival of winter and snow means taking your big boots out of the closet. Remember that winter boots make driving more difficult, especially with a manual transmission and tightly spaced pedals. You'll have an easier time at the wheel by choosing narrow shoes or boots. Also, take the time to get rid of the snow under your feet before entering your vehicle; otherwise, it could make the floor more slippery. Here's another tip that proves to be successful: put some newspaper sheets to absorb the water left on the floor and on the floor mats during the night. Then, the next morning, take them out and you'll have a dry floor to work with.
