Let Hooper Discount Tire Keep You Safe
Driving on snow and worst yet, black ice, can be really treacherous. We’ve all been caught in those driving conditions and it can be frightening! Having the right tires and learning some basic driving rules can minimize your chances of an accident or landing in a ditch. Read on for some helpful tips.
Having the right tires and being sure they are properly inflated is essential. Snow tires have supple rubber that will allow them to perform better in freezing temperatures. They will give you better traction and more stability, as well as better stopping power.
Feeling overconfident about traction is a dangerous thing. Just because you have an all-well or four-wheel drive vehicle, doesn’t mean much on black ice. Drive defensively at all times when faced with black ice.
Drop your speed dramatically! If you start to skid, you’re less likely to do damage to your vehicle or anything in your path if you’re going slow.
If your vehicle is equipped with an anti-lock braking system (ABS), there is no need to pump the brakes. The system will activate it automatically, pulsating the brakes as soon as it detects a skid is happening.
Increase your following distance. Below is a breakdown of stopping distances vs. road surface conditions at 35 MPH (14.7 feet is an average car length):
Dry road - 60-100 feet
Wet road - 120 feet or more
Packed snow road - 180 feet or more
Icy road - 600 feet or more
Don’t pass other vehicles. If someone is passing you, gently steer to the shoulder to give that driver more room.
Your car thermometer may say the temperature is above freezing but that’s not always the case. Air temperature warms quicker than pavement so the air may be above freezing but the pavement hasn’t caught up yet. Black ice is thin and can easily be mistaken for water. Look for signs of ice on side-view mirrors, road signs, or trees, and forge ahead with caution. The coldest temperatures are at night and early morning so try to avoid driving when black ice is present.
Black ice first forms on bridges, overpasses, and ramps before roadways and are last to thaw because they’re made of concrete and there’s no insulation from the ground. Be extra cautious when traveling on them.
Driving downhill in slick conditions is scary. If you have ABS, leave it in normal gear. To allow your braking system to maintain traction, use light, steady pressure on the brake pedal to continue at the right speed. If you don’t have ABS, take it slowly and lightly pump the brakes as you head down.
Never use cruise control in icy conditions. Your wheels can spin at different speeds making you lose control of steering.
If your vehicle feels like it’s floating, take your foot off the gas but don’t slam on the brakes as this will cause you to go into a skid and keep a firm grip on the steering wheel.
The temperature is dropping. Freezing rain, cold air, and snow are headed our way. Always keep an ice scraper in your glove compartment and practice the safe driving skills we discussed while driving your motor vehicle. Let Hooper Tire Outlet suggest the proper tires for your car.