Winter is coming
Winter isn’t just coming, it’s here. And around Smithville, Missouri, that doesn’t always mean snow, but it almost always means ice. The average winter lows in the area are around 25 degrees, and precipitation is not uncommon. With so much rain freezing at night, and daylight savings time keeping the sun down longer, many morning commutes are made with ice on the roads. So how can you deal with the slick pavement when you’re just trying to get to work? Here are a few tips for driving on icy roads.
The first tip comes before you even put your car in gear. Clean the ice off your car’s glass thoroughly. Whether you use a scraper and some elbow grease, or you prefer to let your car warm up (The internet debate over this subject has grown quite… heated. Sorry.), it’s important that you can see. Scrape down the windshield, rear glass, and side windows, and don’t forget to clear your mirrors, as well.
Black ice is no joke
Icy roads are usually hard to spot in the dark. This is where we get the term “black ice.” It’s not just an extremely popular air freshener. It’s also a crusty layer of ice that likes to coat roads, especially bridges. Ground temperature changes more slowly than air temperature. This is why you can have blinding snow in the air, but no accumulation on the ground. It takes longer to freeze. So the ground itself may be keeping moisture on the road from freezing.
Except, of course, where the road doesn’t touch the ground. Bridges are especially vulnerable to ice-related accidents, since they cool off faster than roads on the ground. Therefore, be careful on bridges when the weather is cold enough to freeze (32 degrees Fahrenheit and below). A big metro like Kansas City has miles of overpasses, river bridges, and railway bridges, and you’ll need to watch for black ice on all of them.
Winter tires are a game changer
This next one is a bit obvious coming from a tire store, but consider winter tires. A winter rubber compound is designed to stay soft and grippy even in the cold weather. This can contribute to greater traction in situations with patchy ice. Winter tires also usually feature specialized tread patterns, which bite into ice and snow, or punch down through standing water to grip the pavement below. Siping is a process in which manufacturers add sipes, or slices, to tread blocks on tires. This gives the tire even more surface area when gripping ice and snow. Good winter tires can give you traction when you had none.
Speaking of traction, and the lack of it, low traction environments, like icy roads, require greater reaction time from the driver. This is why you should leave plenty of room between your crunchy bumper and that of the car ahead of you. This tip comes with a companion: keep your eyes on the road. Distracted driving is a bigger problem than ever. The DMV estimates that, in 2018, as many as 9 driving deaths per day occurred as a result of distracted driving, among countless other non-fatal accidents. Driving always requires your full attention, but it’s even more crucial in an icy situation.
If you do start to lose traction, don’t panic. Many accidents occur as a result of overcorrection, which is making too much of the right move. Small moves are key to keeping your car on the road when you start to slide. Basically, if you feel your car starting to slide one way, let off the gas and turn the wheel slightly in the other direction. You can even add back in a little throttle input with the gas pedal to boost this effect. Use light, feathered throttle pulses to regain traction before you turn the wheel further.
Braking often works a bit differently. All modern cars are equipped with an anti-lock braking system (ABS), which improves braking performance dramatically over human braking input. In the simplest terms, it pulses the brakes dozens of times per second, which keeps the wheel turning enough to make the most use of the traction you have left. So if you feel the need to slam on the brakes, you usually can. The computers will take care of the rest.
If, however, you’re driving an older car, you can simulate ABS with your very human foot. Pulse braking is an important technique to improve braking traction in older cars. Simply tap the brakes rapidly throughout the entire slowdown process. Slam on the brakes in an older car and you’ll only slide. At that point the car will be helpless to slow itself down, just a dead weight sliding over ice. Pulsing the brakes will give you some control over the actions of your car.
Obviously this isn’t a complete guide for how to drive on icy roads. Some things you’ll just have to learn through experience. We recommend practicing your driving maneuvers whenever a snowy or icy, low-traction opportunity presents itself— in a safe, controlled environment. Learn the limits of your car. Still, these simple tips can go a long way to helping you stay safe this winter, and many winters to come.
We're here to help
If for some reason you find yourself needing someone to assess your vehicle during the winter, take it to your nearest shop. And if you're considering, new tires to grip better this winter, let our mobile tire shop come to you. Zohr will help you find the right tires for your vehicle and work with your on figuring out what the best tire will be based on your driving habits, budget, and vehicle life span.
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