Some More Winter Driving Tips

I’m not sure about you all, but around here winter doesn’t seem like it’s going to last much longer. With that said, there’s almost always that laaaast winter storm that takes everyone by surprise.

So before that storm comes, here are some more winter driving tips for you:

• If it starts to snow when you are away from home, keep tabs on the progress of accumulation. Sometimes it can snow and snow and hardly any accumulation, no problem, keep on schedule with what you are doing. But sometimes it can almost paralyze a city in just one hour. If it looks like one of those situations, it would be best to head home immediately as it will take a while to drive in traffic and it will only get worse every minute.

 

• If you do get caught in a bad snow, plan to take a route that has the least hills.

 

This would be a dangerous path to take – through the mountains going out to my property

 

• Buy “All Weather” tires as the more aggressive tread can help a lot with traction in slippery conditions.

 

• If you are driving along and the road appears to be glossy wet, and you know the temperature is below freezing, be aware that it could be ice (also called “black ice”). Extremely slippery, in fact sometimes you can hardly stand up on it. Very dangerous when you drive on it, all that I have mentioned in this blog applies but use even more caution. Where I used to live, a neighbor called me once to ask me if I was aware that my vehicle was out in the middle of the road? It apparently slipped down the whole driveway by itself.

 

• If people are tailing you (because you are driving slow) and making you feel uncomfortable, pull off in an appropriate spot and let them go by. Traveling in a snow storm is stressful enough without some jerk on your tail that may pressure you to drive more aggressively and then have an accident.

 

• When snow season comes, I throw my snow chains in my vehicle. They are amazing. If you need to get somewhere, you can.  If you hit some dry pavement, reduce your speed way down so you don’t break a crossover chain from beating on dry pavement, or remove the chains. Have some strong wire handy with your chain kit in case you break a chain.

 

4-Runner buried in a few inches of snow

 

• 4 Wheel drives are fantastic. I still carry my chains but so far have not had to use them with my Toyota 4 Runner. In fact I had tires down to the wear marker once when hit by a surprise snow storm and still had no trouble getting around, even days later on 1” thick solid ice. When I bought new tires, it was like nothing could stop me. Remember, a 4 wheel drive can accelerate faster and better, but slowing down on snow and ice is still of concern as with any 2 wheel drive vehicle.  And for all you guys who love the details, I can activate my rear differential lock with the push of a button (locks both rear tires so neither will spin providing extra traction, used only to get unstuck). Love it.

 

• If possible during a storm, stay home. Stock up on some canned foods and bottled water to last a week in case you get snowed in.

 

I’m working on some great projects right now. One of them is something of an introduction to my self-sufficiency books, a “prologue” of sorts, that will explore some of my craziest exploits, adventures, and travel stories. I’m also working on some technical projects involving solar power and an outdoors series. More on those as they develop.

 

Your friend in self-sufficiency (and adventure!),

 

Andy Savage
“The Mountain Man”

Andy is a self-sufficiency expert with a lifetime of experience in all things related to the Great Outdoors. He’s also a 5th Degree Black Belt, a former martial arts instructor, self-defense pro, world traveler, dog lover, and now a blogger and writer. His first book is set to release late winter/early spring.

This blog post is an account of the author. Situations differ and are contingent on the abilities of each individual person involved, as well as unforeseen circumstances.  The author and/or his associates are not liable for any injuries, loss, or damages incurred due to the use of such information. Such content is for general, informational and entertainment purposes only.