ADVICE: Tips for winter driving

We all know how to drive in winter. That said, after months of driving on clear summer roads, we may have forgotten a few things. With that in mind, here are a few basic tips to navigate the winter conditions out on the road.

Ultimately, winter driving requires a different approach and greater patience. With the following simple and easy to remember tips, however, winter driving becomes a breeze.

The importance of slowing down

The first tip in winter is to slow down. It is also the easiest advice to implement. On a snowy or icy road, we must always have plenty of room to manoeuver and it is only by slowing down that we will be able to avoid losing control of our vehicle, or not having enough room to slow down.

When road conditions are difficult, make sure you drive slowly, no matter which winter tires you have or the vehicle you are drive. No vehicle can bypass the laws of physics!

Make sure you have the right tires

The tires on your vehicle are the only point of contact that your car has with the road. It is therefore important that your tires are in good condition and installed before the first snow arrives. Measure your tires before installing them and if the tread depth is less than 4.8 mm and you travel more than 10,000 kilometers during winter, it is likely that your tires won’t be effective for the entire duration of winter.

So, if that’s the case, make sure to replace the tires before installing them so you won’t have to do it twice.

Have your vehicle inspected before winter

Winter is very harsh on your vehicle. So, it must be in good condition before the cold settles in. To check your vehicle’s condition, you’ll want to bring it in to your dealership before winter rolls around. This check-up will uncover any potential problems that will be amplified in winter so that you can have everything fixed in time for winter.

Thank you to Bruce GM Middleton for their help with this article.