Drive Better in Wintery Conditions

by BMW of Silver Spring

Whether you live in a cold climate where icy roads are common or your thinking of traveling somewhere roads get slippery, it’s important to adapt your driving habits to stay safe. Ice is a major cause of winter accidents because it's not always visible. Also, some drivers feel overconfident about driving on ice due to their car's high-tech safety features. Even if you're a seasoned icy-road driver, it's great to refresh yourself on best practices as the season of snow and sleet approaches.

Buckle up and turn on the defrost

You should wear your seat belt at all times, but especially during icy conditions when accidents occur at a greater rate than normal. Turn on the defrost, too. Defrost helps to keep your car windows from icing up and melts snow if you're facing the double winter whammy of ice and snow. You always need to keep your visibility clear but especially in bad weather. You may need to spot potential dangers like skidding, slipping, or stalled cars blocking the road earlier than usual to give yourself additional time to react.

Slow it down

Seems like all drivers should know it’s important to reduce their speed when driving on icy pavement, but some drivers think that snow tires, all-wheel drive (AWD), and electronic stability control (ESC) will keep you from losing control.

Good tires help to grip the pavement, AWD assists in accelerating and staying mobile, and ESC helps to avoid spinouts, but even improved traction won't keep you safe if you're traveling at speeds too high for icy conditions. By reducing your speed, you give yourself a better chance to stop safely, to stay on the road, and to get where you're going in one piece.

Don't stomp on the brakes

When the roads are icy, you have to drive with greater caution and with slower, gentler actions. Brake softly, and try to avoid sudden hard stops that can initiate a spin. If you do find yourself skidding:

Immediately, take your foot off the gas pedal or brake
Let the car naturally slow down and gain traction
Steer in the direction you want the car to go
As your traction improves, gently brake or accelerate as needed
Avoid over steering or sudden sharp turns

If you're walking on ice and quickly twist your feet in another direction, most likely you'll fall. That's why people walk cautiously and prudently on icy patches. Same thing goes for your car. Sudden, quick, steering and braking maneuvers can cause skidding.

Be aware of road conditions

Check social media, TV, or the radio to see what meteorologists are saying about the weather. Low temperatures and even a few droplets of precipitation can make ice. Also, keep in mind, black ice may look like an innocent puddle, but if you know it's 31 degrees outside and there's light rain, you should treat the roads like a sheet of ice whether you can see it or not.

Prepare your vehicle

Safety starts with being prepared. Make sure your vehicle is in great condition prior to the winter season. Good tires, windshield wiper blades, alignment, and maintenance will prevent accidents that are easily avoidable. Plan ahead with the BMW of Silver Spring service team, who can help you get your vehicle cold-weather ready.