Winter Weather Driving Safety Tips for Snow and Ice

Volvo XC90 interior, photo courtesy Volvo

Keep a firm grip on the steering wheel.
Both ABS and traction control require a firm grip on the steering wheel, advises Edmunds.com. Not white knuckle, just firm. It’s important to remember not to brake and steer at the same time, because you are asking the car to do too many things at once. Brake first, and when you feel ABS kick in, then steer, gently.

Traction control holds back the spinning wheel and allows the engine’s power to switch to the wheels that have a better grip. ABS reduces what automotive engineers call “pedal travel” and provides a more constant braking feel, so ABS requires firm, constant pressure – no pumping as on conventional brakes. In fact, you need to jam on the brakes as fast as you can and as hard as you can – and keep your foot there – to engage ABS. Don’t be scared by the grinding noise – that means ABS is working.

Practice recovering from a spin-out in a safe place. It takes practice, and the best way to find out what traction control and ABS can do is to practice skids and emergency stops before you need them. Find an empty parking lot, such as a school or corporate office campus on a weekend, and seek out a patch of wet, snowy or icy pavement. You’ll have lots of room to lose and regain control, and you’ll gain the experience and confidence to handle a spin-out if it happens for real.

by Evelyn Kanter