Ground Force Training Blog » Blog Archive » Ten Myths About Winter Driving

Ten Myths About Winter Driving

Now that winter weather is upon us, it might be a good time to explode some of the more common myths about winter driving that seem to pop up every year. These are as common as the old wives’ tale in which you get pneumonia by not buttoning your shirt enough in cold weather, and just as wrong.

1. There is no difference between all-season tires and winter tires!

This one is absolutely wrong, and your life could be at stake in severe weather. The tread in winter tires can be as much as 30 % deeper than that of all-season tires, and as such, they grip more effectively.

2. All-season tires are good enough for city driving.

This one is also wrong, as all-season tires are made of a different rubber than winter tires, and they begin to lose elasticity and traction when the temperature drops below between -8�C and -15 �C. The rubber in winter tires, however, does not start losing elasticity until it is -40 �C.

3. The lower the tire pressure, the better traction the vehicle will have.

This one could cause major problems. You might get slightly better traction, but it’s not likely. And with lower tire pressure, there is significant flexing, which could cause a blowout. It’s also critical to check your tire pressure in the winter, as well. Because of the wide temperature swings common during winter months, as well as the significant difference between the temperature of the tire when it’s sitting, and when it’s driving on the road, you could be losing significant tire pressure.

4. If your vehicle breaks down during a snowstorm, you should hop out and seek help.

With this one, the general recommendation is to stay with the vehicle, but that depends on where you break down. If you’re in the middle of a traffic lane, you should leave the vehicle, because there’s a good chance another car could hit you from behind. But if you’re off to the side of the road, and out of the way of traffic, it’s unwise to leave the car and go searching for help. Stay with the vehicle, and either call or wait for help. You should also always be prepared for such a situation ahead of time, and always keep water and food in the car, as well as a couple of extra blankets and a cell phone. It also helps to have a set of triangular reflectors, so as to make sure other drivers see you, until help arrives.

5. The weather is good, the road is clear, I can’t see any ice…Let’s go! I can drive just like I do in the summer.

That’s not a great idea. It is still winter, which means your tire traction is not the same as in the summer, as it drops along with the temperature. There is also the ever-present danger of black ice, which is invisible and unpredictable. And because it’s winter, road conditions can change every few kilometers.

6. In winter, accidents usually happen during storms.

According to accident statistics, this one is demonstrably false. During a storm, drivers tend to drive a lot more carefully, but when the weather is good, people take more risks. So, it helps to be more aware when conditions don’t look so treacherous.

7. If you find yourself stuck due to ice and snow, salt is the best way to get the wheels to stop spinning.

Again, not true. You are better off with an abrasive, non-clumping substance like kitty litter or sand, and you should carry a small supply in your trunk for these situations. It is also a good idea to carry a small spade or shovel, to clear the snow, especially around the tailpipe. If snow clogs the tailpipe, the cabon monoxide fumes can back up and kill very quickly.

8. In winter, I know that I have to keep my distance. So I choose a reference point and count at least two seconds when the rear of the vehicle in front of me passes this point.

That’s not enough! In winter, when the roadway is snow-covered or icy, double and even triple the number of seconds. In any case, if you don’t allow more distance in winter than in summer, you’ll have a problem!

9. The braking distance of a vehicle with ABS brakes is shorter than for a vehicle with conventional brakes.

This one is also false. ABS brakes let you maintain control of the vehicle’s trajectory, but ABS tends to lengthen braking distances, especially on slippery surfaces. Therefore, it’s always prudent to maintain a good distance between your vehicle and the one ahead of you, especially in winter!

10. It’s obvious that accidents happen for different reasons in winter and summer.

Another myth. According to traffic statistics, carelessness and excessive speed are the number one causes of accidents, regardless of the time of year or driving conditions.

So, what have we learned?

We learned that the myths regarding winter driving are must that; myths. There are several ways to bust these myths to smithereens, and be safe while driving in winter. You should prepare a winter driving kit, with water, food, blankets, shovel, reflectors and a cell phone. You should always keep your tires fully inflated, keep your fuel tank filled, and drive with your headlights on all of the time.