Safety Update

Safety Update: Driving in a Winter Wonderland

The holiday season is now upon us and with it comes winter driving. Every year around this time it never hurts to remind ourselves of some good winter driving tips and to dispel some myths out there.

10 Winter Driving Tips:

1. Always keep the gas tank at least half full, and add gasoline antifreeze to every second tank. This removes water from fuel system, and prevents gas-line freeze-up.
2. Check your fluids - top up antifreeze, transmission, brake and windshield-washer fluids.
3. Use a matching set of all-season or snow tires that meet standards. Different treat patterns, size, and construction can compromise your vehicle's performance and safety.
4. Make sure that tire valves are equipped with caps to keep out snow and ice. If snow and ice get into the valve stems you may not be able to add air to your tires. Ice can also cause the valve to open causing a leak.
5. Dress properly - wear warm clothing. You never know when you might get stranded!
6. Carry a winter emergency kit that includes: extra antifreeze and windshield-washer fluid; a flashlight and extra batteries; blankets; a candle; matches; hazard markers or flares; a snow shovel; extra hats and mitts; and chocolate or granola bars.
7. Check local weather and road conditions before leaving.
8. If possible, tell someone where you are going and when you expect to arrive.
9. Bring a map and be prepared to take an alternative route.
10. Bring a cell phone.

10 Myths About Winter Driving

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

   Wrong. The grooves in winter tires are about 30 % deeper than those in all-season tires, and they grip more effectively.

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

   Wrong again! All-season tires are made of a different rubber than winter tires, and they start to lose elasticity and traction when the temperature drops below between -8ºC and -15 ºC. The rubber in winter tires, however, does not start losing elasticity until it is -40 ºC.

3. 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.

   Afraid not! It is still winter, and tire traction drops along with the temperature. Not to mention the danger of black ice, which is invisible and unpredictable.

4. The road is in great shape when I start out, so I can expect good conditions for the whole trip.

   Wrong! You are still driving in winter, when road conditions can change every few kilometres. Drive carefully.

5. In winter, accidents usually happen during storms.

   False, and the figures show it. During a storm, drivers tend to drive a lot more carefully, but when the weather is good, people take more risks.

6. 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!

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

   False. ABS brakes let you maintain control of the vehicle's trajectory. However, ABS tends to lengthen braking distances, especially on slippery surfaces. So it's always prudent to maintain a good distance between your vehicle and the one ahead of you, especially in winter!

8. Nothing beats a nice wide tire for driving in snow.

   Wrong again! Wide tires tend to float on top of the snow, unlike narrow tires, which provide a better grip.

9. It's obvious that accidents happen for different reasons in winter and summer.

   False. Statistics show that, both summer and winter, carelessness and excessive speed are the number one causes of accidents.

10. 10. The letters M+S (mud and snow) on a tire show that it is a winter tire.

    Afraid not! M+S may also appear on all-season tires which, despite their name, are not recommended for winter driving.

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