Winter Tips 3: Do Not Let Snow and Ice Catch You by Surprise

TAKE OFF YOUR JACKET BEFORE DRIVING

Is the temperature below zero? The reasonable reaction is to put on a coat, but it is highly recommended to take off your jacket and cap before driving. Then let the car’s heating system create temperature conditions that are ideal for you.

Comfort can be further enhanced by heated seats, a heated steering wheel, and a heated windscreen. Also, if your car has an independent heating system, you can start it while you are still inside eating breakfast.

It is smart to have warm clothing in your car to put on when you leave your car, so your body can adapt easily to the colder environment.

Wearing a jacket while driving also is not recommended for safety reasons. Without a stiff layer of clothing, you will be able to move more freely and respond quicker to any driving situation winter may send your way. What’s more, a jacket can reduce the effectiveness of seat belts that may slip on its surface.

BRAKE CAREFULLY AND IN ADVANCE

Instead of winter clothing, you could use some high-quality polarized sunglasses. Icy roads and snowy landscapes brightly reflect the sun’s rays, and that can hamper your view of what's happening on the road.

Any shiny surface reflecting a lot of light should be a clear sign for the driver to be extra attentive. To test the condition of the road surface, step gently on the brakes to check if the road is slippery. Bridges can be particularly treacherous, because their surfaces begin to freeze at higher temperatures than do other roads. You should pay closer attention also on stretches of road underneath bridges.

The universal advice on icy roads, of course, is never to drive too fast. If you go into a skid, don’t panic and, most importantly, lift your foot off the accelerator. Braking vigorously or sharply turning the steering wheel is not advised either.

Every vehicle’s braking distance is longer on slippery surfaces. Remember, driving in winter is something very much different than is driving in summer. That means you should start braking well in advance of making a turn. One can never be too careful in winter.

SNOW CHAINS CAN BE VERY HELPFUL

Having a well-equipped vehicle will help you to manage emergencies and situations like going into a skid. The ŠKODA KAROQ, which you can see in the video, has four-wheel drive. Of course, it also has the ESC stabilization system that provides even better control of the vehicle, such as when passing over a slippery surface or negotiating a faster turn.

If the road is extremely icy or insufficiently maintained, then you will certainly want to have snow chains when driving in such conditions. You should learn at home how to attach them – before you need to use them – and then mounting the chains will take you just a few minutes when an urgent situation rises.

Every purchased set of snow chains will include instructions on how to attach them properly, and only chains that are correctly fit in place will do their job properly. Attach them to the drive axle, and in the case of an all-wheel-drive vehicle follow the manufacturer's recommendations and instructions.

Just to be sure, check on the chains once you have driven 50 meters with them attached. If everything is as it should be, then continue on your way. Stay alert at all times, however, even though you are driving a well-equipped car with snow chains.