Tips for Driving on Snow & Ice Courses
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With the ski season fast approaching a number of people are buying 4WDs to get them to the slopes safely, trouble is owning a 4WD doesn't mean you can cheat the laws of physics, many have learnt this the hard way.
On a road with an icy or snowy surface, use extreme caution regardless of whether you're driving a 4WD or not. Over confidence can lead to the vehicle losing control and causing an accident.
Braking, sharp turns and aggressive manoeuvres can be very dangerous, if a vehicle starts to slide drivers tend to overcompensate and lose control. Try testing the brakes for tyre lock-up in a safe environment, knowing the limits can help the driver to make delicate manoeuvres under pressure situations.
The areas before intersections and corners tend to have slippery surfaces, as many vehicles have applied brakes at those points before.
Fitting chains to your 4WD is the safest option by far. Generally speaking, attaching to the front and rear tyres maintains vehicle control. Attaching chains to the rear tyres only can increase under-steer while attaching to the front tyres only can increase over-steer down hill. It is a case-by-case decision, but generally it is recommended to use chains on all 4 tyres.
Finally if you are going to drive your 4WD regularly in snow & ice consider a specialised training course this way you can practise safe driving techniques in a controlled environment. Contact us for details of our one-day winter snow and ice training package.
Driving a car can be fun and convenient, yet at the same time exposes drivers to serious hazards. As a driver there are great responsibilities: to oneself, to one's family and other road users.
Colin Rees - 4WD Driver Trainer.
Contact us for details of our one-day winter snow and ice training package.Our winter drive package takes you though the basics of snow and ice driving along with the fitting and use of vehicle chains.
Driver Courses We Teach:
Unit Standards Covered - 8638 Drive on snow and/or ice
18138 Fit and remove vehicle chains