General cold weather driving tips?

[General Kornilov]

Hey everyone,

I’m getting ready to complete the return leg of our trip tomorrow - driving 600 miles on I70 from Denver to Kansas City. I’m a little nervous about the anticipated sub zero temps in the forecast tomorrow. Having grown up in CA and having lived in Virginia for the last 10 years, I’m not used to these temps and am looking for some good ideas and advice about driving in these conditions.

Prior to leaving earlier this week I made sure the truck was in excellent mechanical condition:

- new Goodyear Wrangler A/T tires all around
- new rotors and pads
- fresh fluids + filter: diffs, engine, trans, trans. case
- new plugs
- new shocks & struts
- inspected the battery
- packed a decent road tool kit including jump start pack

It’s just the fact that I’m transporting my family has me nervous. The truck is in good mechanical condition. I’m just worried about road conditions below zero. If anyone that does this type of driving has any tips, I’ll be glad to hear them. The truck will be loaded down with passengers and luggage so it’s not the same experience as daily driving on the street.

 

[AuSeeker]

If you think you'll run into snow a good set of snow chains might come in handy, but may not be needed, the Goodyear Wrangler A/Ts seem to have a good winter driving rating, also be cautious on bridges since they will ice over before the roadway.

If you do encounter ice avoid using the brakes if possible and just slow down as much as possible otherwise, down shifting will help.

I'm not in a snow region but I have driven in my share of snow/ice.

 

[Boconnor303]

Be careful down shifting while on ice... it can be very useful to reduce speed prior to the icy section, but as I experienced in a blizzard on Vail Pass a quick downshift on ice can cause a massive loss of traction. Granted the steep terrain didn't help at all.

Just pay attention to the road in front of you...steer, brake and accelerate gradually, nothing to quick or jerky.

 

[oljedi11950]

Slow & steady like [MENTION=149207]AuSeeker[/MENTION] said concrete bridges freeze over & sometimes you can get squirrely changing surfaces ! Added weight of family will help . BLACK ICE is the killer
|.

 

[T4R2014]

Slow down. Try not to freak out if you realize you lose traction.

 

[PeteZ06]

Like already said... slow it down. Its better to get there an hour or two later then not at all.


I road race on a amateur level and have owned numerous 600+ hp cars. I've seen close to 180 mph speeds in cars and motorcycles... yet I never take my rig over 70mph.. 9 out of 10 times I set the cruise somewhere in the low 60's and take it easy. I don't see a favorable ending if I suddenly had to make an emergency lane change in a lifted truck because something suddenly popped up in my lane.

Be safe!

 

[theoutbackdream]

Go to an open parking lot and drive around in the parking lot aggressively in order to make the car understeer and oversteer on ice/snow. Know how to correct the car properly, and get a feel for what it's like to slide on ice. Also, do some hard brakes to get a feel for ABS kicking in and still not coming to a stop.

 

[wcjeep]

Some tire chains have great return policies on unused snow chains.

 

[zimdba]

I'll be the voice of confidence. I did that drive in an X5 with summer tires on 1/1/2015 in single-digit temperatures. It's relatively flat with fairly few bridges. It's also supposed to be very dry tomorrow. You'll be fine as long as you drive within your abilities.

 

[RobD]

If you've got them, add wool blankets. They retain most of their thermal capacity even when wet. Carry water (2-3 quarts per person), candles and matches, non-perishable food like granola bars and beef jerky, booster cables and a shovel. Don't let your gas tank drop below half a tank in case you need to sit and wait out a storm or unforeseen delay. I also carry extra gloves, warm headwear, and tow rope/shackles.

 

[fAr eAst rUnnEr]

Go to an open parking lot and drive around in the parking lot aggressively in order to make the car understeer and oversteer on ice/snow. Know how to correct the car properly, and get a feel for what it's like to slide on ice. Also, do some hard brakes to get a feel for ABS kicking in and still not coming to a stop.

THIS. Some call it hot dogging, play around whatever. I've been driving in winter conditions my whole life and at the beginning of every snow season I find a safe open snowy or icy parking lot and let loose. I find it gets my familiar with how my vehicle reacts when pushed and passes its limits. It's a great way to prepare yourself if you lose traction unexpectedly on the road. Some call it goofing off I call it training with a smile.

The most important thing to remember in winter weather is that speed kills. Having good winter tires is an abosolute must! I never use cruise control in snowy conditions either. Be alert and drive defensive, most of the time it is other drivers you'll need to worry about.

 

[General Kornilov]

Hey guys,

Thanks for all the good info. Trip was a breeze - thankfully it was a bright, sunny day with zero precipitation. So even though the temp only went from -3* to 11*, there were no issues or even hairy moments.

 

[KAK707]

Slow down :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1HvmtbZzA40

 

[General Kornilov]

I'll be the voice of confidence. I did that drive in an X5 with summer tires on 1/1/2015 in single-digit temperatures. It's relatively flat with fairly few bridges. It's also supposed to be very dry tomorrow. You'll be fine as long as you drive within your abilities.

Good call. Today was thankfully in fact, very dry.

Interesting - on 01/01/2015, I was driving a 95 Bronco through New Mexico, TX, and OK during a rare (for the area) snowstorm when my idler pulley decided to shit itself 4 miles outside of Pratt, OK on a 10* evening. I was able to limp in to Pratt OK and get a motel room for the evening, the cold no doubt saving my head gaskets on the venerable old 5.8L Ford. The next morning, I got a new idler assembly and was on my way.

Back then, I was only travelling by myself and was a little more cavalier with thing like driving in poor conditions.

As things worked out, I sold the Bronco earlier this year when I bought the 4 Runner.