Winter Driving!!!
Danger!!!
David Johnson
Many ideas generously taken from David Wentzlaff and
Christiaan Adams’ Lectures from WS Past
Overview
• Before You Go
• Driving
• Riding
Preparation is the Better
Part of Valor
Before Winter Starts
• Oil level
• Wipers & fluid
• Tire pressure
• Battery terminal contacts
• Defroster
• Headlights and taillights
• Antifreeze
• Tire tread (more to come)
In the Trunk
Don’t plan on an emergency
situation, but be prepared for one.
Sure, you brought a jack, but how do
you use it?
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Jumper cables
Antifreeze, oil & wiper fluid
Ice Scraper
Shovel
Water
Food
Blanket & warm clothing
Flares
Jack + Lug Wrench
INFLATED spare tire.
Flashlight + Batteries
First Aid Kit & fire starter
Tow strap
Trip Prep
• Check car, fluids and
supplies again before each
trip.
• Discuss the possibility of
backup drivers, if
appropriate.
• Discuss possibility of
pulling over to nap or grab
coffee.
• Organize music.
• Check weather!
• Keep fuel in your tank!
• Low fuel levels can allow
condensation to form which
can freeze in your fuel line!
• Clear snow off you’re car.
• Don’t forget the head/tail
lights!
“An RWD, AWD and FWD
walk into a tire center … “
• Winter tires are best
• All-season at a minimum
• Check all tires (including
spare) for . . .
• Uneven tread wear.
• Tread wear and tear. 1/16”
is legal minimum.
• Tire pressure
At the Helm
Weather Can Vary
• Plan ahead, check the
weather
• Be prepared
• Know your limits
• Know your car
Cold
Wet
Snowy
Icy
Cold, Wet, Snowy and Ice
(Wintery Mix)
Fog and the Night
Slowing Down
•
Be the tortoise!
•
Drive slowly in winter
weather.
•
Increase distance between
vehicles.
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Your job is to get there safely,
not quickly.
•
Slowly press the brake pedal.
If your wheels lock up
“pump” the brakes ONLY if
you don’t have ABS.
•
How is winter driving like
facing a T-Rex in Jurassic
park?
• Sudden movements could get
you killed.
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) &
Traction Control System (TCS)
•
ABS attempts to prevent wheels
from locking up. This helps to adds
traction and decrease stopping
distances.
•
TCS attempts to prevent loss of
control in a variety of conditions.
It works by altering brake force,
throttle and power.
•
ABS is not perfect. Don’t rely on it.
•
TCS is not perfect. Don’t rely on it.
•
ABS does not make dangerous
driving safer.
•
TCS does not make dangerous
driving safer.
•
ABS makes safe driving safer.
•
TCS makes safe driving safer.
 ABS and TCS should NOT be
treated as performance
enhancement options
 ABS and TCS are SAFETY
enhancement options.
“Take a left turn on Halls Brook
Road, not into the ditch.”
• Apply brake smoothly before
turns.
• Do not brake hard during
turns.
• Turn wheel smoothly and
slowly.
• When in doubt SLOW
DOWN.
• Lane changes are turns too.
Oversteering
•
Rear tires lose traction.
•
Oversteering results in a spin.
•
Caused by entering turn too
fast, cornering too hard,
braking too hard in the turn
or poor tread/traction
performance of rear tires.
•
What to do:
• Depress accelerator.
• Keep wheels pointed in the
direction you wish to go!
Understeering
•
Front tires lose traction.
•
Understeering is a result of the
front tires having poor
tread/traction performance, or
taking a turn too fast.
•
The car will drift off at an angle
without spinning.
•
To correct, turn the front wheels
into the direction of the skid to
give the front tires more traction.
Once traction is regained gently try
to slow down and maneuver the
corner. Do not brake hard or turn
quickly or you will oversteer.
So you got stuck
•
Add traction: sand, kitty litter,
sticks, etc.
•
Keep your wheels straight
•
Rock out: gently move the car
back and forth.
•
Push (careful not to run down
helpers)
•
Deflate tires a little to add
traction.
•
Tow straps and a friend.
•
Differential lock (if you have it)
Practice
Being a Driver
Do . . .
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Get a good night’s rest before the drive.
•
Respect passenger’s wishes if they feel unsafe.
•
Drive cautiously and safely.
•
Allow passengers to operate music and navigation.
•
Swap out drivers or pull over and nap if you are
tired.
•
Show up to the pickup location ready to go.
•
Have your car winter driving ready.
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Be prepared to share awesome music.
Don’t . . .
• Drive while tired.
• Race back to Boston.
• Feel guilty about asking for
money from passengers.
• Feel obligated to let your
passengers all sleep while
you drive.
Being a Passenger
Do . . .
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Have fun and chat with the driver.
•
Be patient if circumstances result in late arrival.
Don’t . . .
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Fall asleep on the ride leaving the driver as
the only one awake.
•
Insist on quiet music and the perfect
temperature to help you sleep.
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Bring good food to share for the ride.
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Bring excellent music to share!
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Make the driver ask you for money.
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Bring cash and offer it to your driver. 15$ suggested
per direction. Driving to the whites is expensive.
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Pressure the driver to get you home early.
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Show up promptly at the pickup location. Notify
the trip leader if you cannot make it.
•
Expect to always be dropped off at your
door.
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Have a discussion about helping to drive.
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Leave a mess in the car.
•
Speak up if you do not feel safe.
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Backseat drive.
Questions?
Thanks to
Jacob Sargent and the WSC
David Cain
Kayla Maduna
David Wentzlaff and Christiaan Adams for past lecture slides
Kris Brewer
Alistair Firth
Zavi Dogic