Driving with ice and snow: That's how I get through the winter safely
Snow, mud and ice on the road, plus fog or darkness: Right now in winter, driving is anything but a picnic. ? and often dangerous. In winter, the risk of accidents is up to six times as high as in summer. But what can I do to get through the traffic winter as safely and well as possible?
When driving in smoothness and snow, one thing is especially important: drive ahead. Because any sudden and violent braking or steering movement can cause my vehicle loses grip and slips. But even before it starts, I can do a lot to increase my driving safety in winter. In general, I should plan in winter weather definitely more time to get to my destination.
Buckle up better without a thick winter jacket
The ADAC has recently pointed out a danger to a danger: even if the interior of my car is uncomfortably cold in the morning, I should take off the thick winter jacket in the car better, or at least open it. Because when the seat belt is over the jacket, he often sits no longer on the pelvic bone, but too high. In the event of an accident or sudden braking maneuver, serious personal injury may result. Especially children, I should always buckle up without the winter anorak. I can still cover her with her jacket against the cold.
Winter boots for the car
What are the winter boots for my feet, the winter tires or at least good all-season tires for my car: Without them I should not drive at all in the winter and especially at minus degrees. Because only the special rubber compound and the profile of these tires ensure that they keep a good grip even in cold, wet and mud. Experts recommend using real winter tires, especially in snowy and cold areas. Because most all-season tires performed only moderately in tests under winter conditions.
The pressure must be right!
Many motorists are real "air pressure muffle": They pay little or no attention to the correct air pressure in the car tires. In random tests, again and again up to two-thirds of the vehicles have too little air in their tires. Especially in winter this can have bad consequences for me. Because if the air is missing, the tire is no longer with the entire surface on the road. If it is smooth or muddy, even the best profile will not hurt me: The tires lose their grip and I start to slip. Therefore, especially in winter, I should always make sure to keep my tires at target pressure.
keep distance
But even the best winter tires can not prevent my car from reacting differently to mud and snow, and even more so on icy roads than usual. Especially the braking distance is now considerably longer. Driving in winter therefore means above all: Keep your foot off the gas and keep your distance! When it's snowing and slippery, I should keep three times the distance to the car ahead as usual.
In addition, it is now necessary to avoid any sudden driving maneuvers or tempo changes. Especially a full braking brings the car with slipper very fast to spin. When starting and in curves, I should therefore only slow and metered gas. In general, I should try to drive ahead even more than already. If suddenly a traffic light suddenly jumps over in front of me, it can be safer now not to make an emergency stop, but rather to drive carefully over the intersection at yellow.
Important also: drive in front of me a snowplough or scattered vehicle, should not I pass it better? even if it crawls so slowly. Because of such clearing and gritting vehicles, the road is often dangerously smooth or so snowy that I do not come fast anyway. If I drive behind a spreader, I should also keep at least half a tacholange distance. Otherwise, I risk a mixture of salt and snow smearing the windshield.
Create a clear field of vision
Early in the morning, when I'm late anyway, the temptation is particularly great to push me as much as possible to the annoying ice scraping. Instead of scratching the entire snowy or icy windshield, many will only manage a small peephole? The main thing, I see the essentials. The rest will then make the window heating.
But this convenience can be dangerous. Because if side and rear windows are still frozen, my view is severely limited. I can barely see what's behind me and even the right-hand approaching cyclist or pedestrian is quickly overlooked. Therefore, I should always scrape all the windows of my car, even if it is urgent.
That's easier
At least with the windscreen, can I ease my work by tucking a foil or cardboard cover onto the window in the evening? that keeps a lot of snow and ice away. With a hand brush, I should also sweep the snow from the car roof and bonnet before driving.Because otherwise he is blown while driving against his own disc or flies contrary to my behind? that, too, can cause bad accidents.
By the way: A thorough cleaning of the car windows from the inside also contributes to a better view. Because clean windows mist less easily and are also clear again faster. So I should calmly touch the inside of the windows thoroughly with window cleaner and chamois leather? for the sake of safety.
Preventing also at the car door
Also many drivers know this in winter: I come to the car in the morning and promptly the door lock and doors are frozen. No big problem if I have the door lock diverter at hand now. The handy spray should therefore under no circumstances be kept in the car? In an emergency, it does not help me at all.
I can prevent a locking of the door lock by treating the lock with graphite spray, which inhibits the formation of ice. I should rather avoid oil, because it can harden in the cold and thereby stick the lock. Precaution is also useful for the door rubbers: It is best to clean them thoroughly first and then lubricate them with talc, glycerine or simply a grease pencil. This prevents them from freezing and then possibly ripping when the car door is opened.
