Four main mistakes when riding in the snow

Driving on ice and snow is a skill that most drivers don’t acquire in advance, and often learn from emergency situations. In some driving schools, there are separate classes during which beginners are given the opportunity to hone this skill.

Unfortunately, due to too warm winters, it is not always possible to undergo such safe training. For this reason, we suggest that you familiarize yourself with the recommendations of professionals. These tips address the basic mistakes that most people make in the winter.

Error 1 - Tires

Many people still believe that if their car is equipped with a 4x4 system, this compensates for their worn tires. In fact, the opposite is true: if the rubber does not provide good grip, if the tread is almost worn out, and its characteristics have changed due to use in the summer, then no matter which drive is installed, your car is equally uncontrollable.

Mistake 2 - Prudence

The second very common mistake drivers make is not to take into account the insidiousness of winter conditions. Their driving style does not change. In winter, road conditions can change unexpectedly. On a ten-kilometer section, there may be dry and wet asphalt, wet snow and ice under snow. The person behind the wheel must constantly monitor the road surface ahead and be prepared for the fact that the surface may change, instead of waiting for the car to become uncontrollable.

Error 3 - panic when skidding

If the car began to enter (mostly this happens with rear-wheel drive cars), many motorists intuitively try to stop it abruptly. Squeezing the brake when skidding is the last thing to do to regain control of the car. At this moment, the wheels turn into skis, and the applied brake tilts the vehicle forward, from which the drive wheels cling even worse to the road surface. Instead, release the brake and release the gas. The wheels themselves stabilize. In this case, the steering wheel must be turned in the direction of skidding so that the car does not turn around.

Mistake 4 - demolition panic

The same goes for understeering, which is typical of front-wheel drive vehicles. As soon as drivers feel that their car is starting to drift to the outside of the turn, most of them furiously turn the steering wheel to the end. The correct way is to straighten it, discharge gas, and then try to turn again, but smoothly.