At courses in driving schools, potential drivers are warned that in the first year after the issuance of a license, it is better to abandon the idea self-management car in winter period. It is connected with increased complexity driving vehicle on snowy roads. Even in major cities road services do not always cope with the snow cover on the roads, and in countryside or outside the main highways and do not pay due attention to cleaning the road. For your own safety, the driver must learn the basic rules for driving on snow and ice in winter time of the year. In addition, these rules are very simple and obvious, but non-compliance with them can cost the driver and pedestrians their lives.
Driving on snow - basic rules
With experience, drivers begin to feel better about their car, and they do not even think about how to drive a car in winter. But in the first years of driving, while driving on sections of the road that were covered with snow, remember the basic precautions:
The above rules apply to any type of snow. In total, motorists divide snow on the road into 3 main categories. Each type of snow is characterized by its own driving style, which will allow you to avoid accidents.
In the middle or early winter, snow often falls without rainfall, and it falls loosely on the ground. Often outside the city on country roads or small roads where there is little to no traffic, such snow may lie untouched by vehicles and road services. This type snow is the easiest to overcome - it must be driven at a good speed, trying not to slow down.
Loose snow should scatter from under the wheels of the car, and it is impossible to get stuck in it if you follow the rules for driving on snowy roads.
A difficult condition for a car driver is driving on wet snow. The main rule when driving on "heavy" snow is to exclude the possibility of a complete stop of the car as much as possible. The car must create its own track and move along it, rolling new snow into it and overcoming it with tires. Based on the laws of geometry to rear tires on turns they could pass along the rut created by the front, the best option will pass them with a maximum radius.
Attention: If the car has come to a complete stop in wet snow, on which it was moving with great difficulty, it is better to back up a little, and then start moving again. This will allow you to return the car to the desired track and continue to coast on it.
Please note that if the task is to overcome a large stretch of road with wet snow, it is better to attend to the deflation of tires. When driving on a road with such difficult weather conditions, lower the tire pressure to 0.7-1 atmospheres. It is recommended to move in a pre-selected gear, trying to keep the engine speed at the same level. If you begin to feel that the car may stall, it is better to stop, but not with the help of the brakes, but by continuing to move on the clutch (for manual box gears) or without depressing the accelerator pedal (for automatic transmission).
Snow crust is one of the most difficult conditions for driving a car. If to be long trip snow crust and it is impossible to avoid it - it is important to prepare tires for this test, and even better to find a partner who also needs to overcome a difficult section of snow-covered road.
You should move along the snow crust on flat tires to a value of 0.3-0.4 atmospheres. Due to the ice formed on the snow mass, the grip of the car's wheels is reduced to almost zero. At the same time, the hard ice crust has great resistance and hardly passes under the tires. Lowering tire pressure is recommended to increase the area of pressure on the snow crust, which will allow you to bend and break the ice crust.
- Come to a complete stop before turning without using the brakes;
- Further, the steering wheel is slightly twisted in the direction opposite to the turn, and the car backs up;
- After that, the steering wheel turns slightly in the direction of the turn, and the car moves forward.
Depending on the steepness of the turn, vehicle weight, engine power, snow icing and other parameters, it may be necessary to repeat the above procedure 2-3 times. This is necessary to maximize the width of the track from which the turn will be made.
If you manage to find a partner to drive across the road on which the snow crust has formed, he will act as insurance. One of the cars must move forward, pushing through the ice crust under itself, and the second, if necessary, will be able to pull it back if the car gets stuck.
Riding in ice
The rules for safe driving in ice are practically the same as the methods for moving on snow. However, if a snow embankment is often found on low-intensity roads, then ice tends to form on highways, long roads common use and in the city. When driving in ice, you need to be extremely careful and do not forget about the following rules:
Before driving on the roads in winter, carefully consider the preparation of the car:
- It must be "shod" with winter tires;
- Mirrors and glasses are cleared of frost;
- A “snow cap” must be removed from the roof, which risks being on windshield when braking, which will lead to a dangerous situation;
- headlights, rear lights and other means of lighting and indication should be cleaned.
If you are heading to long trip, be sure to make sure that the battery is well charged so that you do not have to
Maybe in winter it is better to transfer to public transport?
No need. If you think you have secured yourself against accidents for the winter, then perhaps you will receive them in the spring. For three months of hibernation in a minibus, you will forget how to drive a car. Therefore, in order not to learn in a new way and not get the title of a snowdrop, it is better to overcome fear, prepare the car and yourself, and drive carefully.
How to prepare your car for winter?
Before the cold weather, it is necessary to carefully check the condition of the car, and even better, undergo maintenance.
Experts also recommend changing the oil - to a less viscous one so that it does not freeze. For cold weather, it is better to purchase 5w40 class oil (a car can drive from -25 to +35 degrees on such oil). This will make starting the engine easier. At the technical inspection, they will definitely check the cooling and brake fluid which are changed if necessary.
Of course, you need to change into winter, for example, studded tires. And for unforeseen situations, buy a cable, a shovel and “crocodiles” - starting wires that can be used to start yours from another car if the battery is dead.
Photo by Natalia Malykhina
Why warm up your car?
It is necessary to stand for 5-10 minutes with the engine running for the oil to warm up. This will ensure that all engine cylinders are lubricated.
If the oil does not heat up and runs through the engine in a cold, viscous state, its operation will be disrupted and the machine may break down. In addition, if you warm up the car, you will reduce fuel consumption.
How to drive on the road in winter?
You need to carefully monitor the speedometer: in winter it is especially dangerous to exceed speed mode. You need to move in the stream at a safe distance from each other. It must be calculated so that you can slow down without using emergency braking- when the brake pedal has to be pressed to the floor. All maneuvers must be performed at low speed to avoid skidding.
There are a lot of ups and downs in Belgorod. To start moving uphill, the car with mechanical box gear will roll back. On the icy surface, the car rolls even harder. If you get into an accident on a hill, know that the one behind is to blame.
Do not overtake unnecessarily. If you are still going to do it, remember that you need to look in the mirrors and make sure that no one has started overtaking before you.
Photo by Natalia Malykhina
How to brake properly on ice?
To cut in the winter braking distances, you need to intermittently press the brake pedal. Also, slow down better engine, that is, gradually downshifting.
You should not hope that the anti-lock braking system will save you: even using it, you will not be able to stop the car instantly.
What to do if the car skidded?
If something went wrong, then you need to turn the steering wheel, oddly enough, in the direction of skidding. You can not sharply press the brake or pull out the handbrake. Further actions depends on what kind of drive your car has. If the rear, then turning the steering wheel will be enough. With front-wheel drive, you need to step on the gas a little.
The ability to get out of a skid will also come in handy in the fall: wet leaves on the road are just as dangerous as ice.
Scheme from the site drive2.ru
What to do with a car that won't start?
First of all, we check the battery: here we will need the same starting wires. If the engine starts after connecting to another car, then your battery is dead. This often happens if the car has been standing in the cold for a long time and does not drive.
The main thing in such cases is not to start from the pusher: the car can roll on the ice, and you will not be able to stop it. In addition, if the car diesel fuel, it can freeze in cold weather.
How to get out of a snowdrift?
We act in the same way as when slipping in the mud. You need to dig out the wheels that are slipping, and put something solid under the drive wheels. This will provide traction and help you get out of the snowdrift. You can try to start from second gear: the number of revolutions will increase, due to this there are more chances to leave the snowdrift.
If it was not possible to leave, then we call a friend or a service station to take you in tow.
How to drive in heavy snow?
As with any other weather, you need to respect the speed limit and keep your distance. Because of limited visibility in snowfall it is better to increase the distance to next car, as far as it's possible.
By the way, drizzling rain is even more dangerous than a downpour or snowfall in that water with gasoline and oils forms a thin film. It can bring the car, like on ice.
The Belgorod region often has rainy winters, so another danger on the roads is a water wedge. Getting into it, the driver may lose control for a few seconds, so you need to be especially vigilant and drive slowly in flooded areas. To dry afterwards brake pads, you need to intermittently press the brake pedal.
Photo by Natalia Malykhina
What to do if the car stalled in the middle of the road?
First of all, you need to turn on emergency lights and put up a sign emergency stop. Only then can any action be taken.
The reason may be the lack of fuel: sometimes the sensor breaks, and the driver does not know that the tank is empty.
You can remove the battery terminal, wait 10 minutes, put it back in place and try to start it. If there was an error in car computer then this might help.
Under the hood, you can check the suspension equipment straps: they can come off or break. You can deal with the first problem yourself and return it to its place. With torn belts and others serious breakdowns you need to call a tow truck or a friend with a cable and take the car for repair.
The editors would like to thank the car mechanics for their help in preparing the material. Konstantin Sterlikov, Alexandra Malykhina And Vladimir Kalyusha as well as a driving instructor Marina Zagorelskaya.
Natalia Malyihina
No matter how experienced the driver was, driving in winter presents a certain difficulty for each of us. You can easily get stuck in deep snow, our car can skid on ice, and at the same time there are certain difficulties with the operation of vehicles in the very cold. We offer you 5 simple rules and recommendations that will help you avoid such difficulties and unpleasant situations when driving in the winter season.
Rule one: keep traction on the drive wheels
Uniform and constant traction of the car will allow the car to confidently keep the trajectory on asphalt, ice and packed snow. But if you throw gas or change gears in a turn, this can lead to such an unpleasant situation when the front or rear of the car starts to skid. As a result, the car, with a high degree of probability, ends up in a ditch. To avoid this, you should keep a distance from the car in front, the thrust should be small, but constant. Oddly enough, but the easiest way to drive a car with a manual transmission in winter. The fact is that with the mechanics, the driver will be able to constantly keep the engine speed constant, without fear of such a situation that the automatic transmission will independently lower or increase the gear. Decide this problem it is possible on the machine, by activating such a transmission manual mode. When approaching a turn, it is necessary to engage the gear, and in no case move in neutral.
Rule two: do not brake hard and do not accelerate with slippage
In winter, drivers often do not change their driving style, accelerate sharply and stop the car just as actively. All this leads to frequent drifts, as a result, it becomes extremely difficult to avoid traffic accidents. This is especially true when the vehicle is moving in dense stream transport and any mistake or skidding of the car can lead to an accident. You should always brake smoothly and carefully, even if our car is equipped with anti-lock braking system. Remember that ABS prevents slipping, but it also increases the stopping distance.
With sudden acceleration or braking, the car will not be able to maintain the correct trajectory, which leads to skidding, which is extremely difficult to control. Even an experienced driver will not be able to correct such a skid if the car brakes sharply or accelerates with slipping. In winter, you should always remember that on slippery surface the braking distance increases, respectively, it is necessary to keep the distance correctly, in without fail observing the speed limit. If you neglect such requirements, then driving a car will present certain difficulties, and the car owner, with a high degree of probability, will get into a traffic accident.
Rule 3: don't skid without a goal
If the car is stuck in the snow, then many experienced drivers try to rock the car, increasing or decreasing traction, which allows them to get out of snow captivity. However, often such slippage leads to the fact that the car only gets stuck more strongly in the rolled snow. The easiest way to get out of such a snow trap is to put it under the drive axle rubber mats, various branches, cartons or similar items.
If you have to overcome a section with deep snow, then you should not try to drive it with acceleration, since in this case the probability of stalling and sitting down significantly increases, after which it will be impossible to get out on your own. overcome such difficult sections necessary with constant and even traction. Without the need to turn the steering wheel at large angles is not worth it. less speed, the easier it is to overcome such a problem area.
If you feel that the car is about to get stuck in the snow, then you should immediately switch from first gear to reverse and drive back. In this case, you will be able to choose a different trajectory and overcome a difficult and dangerous area. But if you stop in the snow, then in the future it will be extremely difficult to start, you will need to dig out the car or call a tow truck. But on the automatic gearbox, such a trick when the driver instantly switches from first gear to reverse cannot be performed. This will only lead to damage to the gearbox, and subsequently repairing the car will cost a round sum, much more than the cost of calling a tow truck.
Rule Four: Don't Brake in a Turn
Many drivers, when driving a car in winter and summer, forget that braking in a turn and even on a long arc is extremely dangerous maneuver, which leads to a strong skid, which can even be corrected right move steering will be difficult. on icy and snow covered road such braking in a turn will be even more dangerous. Cars change their trajectory unpredictably, and you should slightly go over at a speed, as the car will instantly be in a ditch. Remember that it is in no case recommended to make any sudden movements, including the steering wheel or pedals, when cornering. It's easy to pick the right one safe speed cornering, which eliminates the need to accelerate or brake with the steering wheel turned out.
Rule Five: Don't skimp on quality lighting
Many car owners, in order to save money, choose the type of headlights on the car according to the residual principle. Therefore, situations are not uncommon when even expensive foreign cars have the simplest halogen, which does not provide high-quality road lighting in dark time days. As a result, it is not possible to drive a car correctly and safely at night in winter. You can solve this problem by installing high-quality xenon and buying additional fog lights. Remember also that you need to regularly wash the headlights, and polish them every few years in a service station.
In no case should you save on replacing burnt out light bulbs. Remember that such a ride with a broken light will not only lead to large fines, but also significantly impair visibility, and this is the safety of driving.
conclusions
Following these simple guidelines experienced drivers, you can significantly simplify your transport management in the winter season. Remember that you need to be as careful as possible, consider the fact that on slippery road the braking distance increases, and the car can slightly expand the trajectory, the steering wheel does not obey well. Be sure to change your car's shoes using high-quality winter studded or friction tires. Observe the speed limit, which will be the key to the smooth management of transport in the winter season.
A truck driver (Aleksey Amelin) contacted our editorial office. heavy vehicle Accident-free drove almost 1.3 million kilometers in eight years. For eight years, Alexey traveled almost all of Russia, transporting various goods between regions Russian Federation. The driver sent us that can help many motorists in winter.
When you suddenly find yourself on the road by car, you need to be very careful when making decisions. After all, your safety depends on it. If you've stopped to wait out a snowstorm, don't get out of your car unless you have an emergency kit with you to help you out in the winter. This is especially true for warm clothes and items that can help clear snow drifts.
When driving a car, you must know a number of important rules how to drive in bad winter weather.
1. Relax
If you find yourself in difficult road conditions while driving a car, the most important thing is to remain calm and not panic. If you become very nervous, then this can affect your reaction, which may become excessive or insufficient.
2. Slow down
If you drive too fast, then when you get worse weather conditions double your speed. If you have the skill of slowing down a car on snow or ice, then you can safely reduce the speed of the vehicle in a short time. Remember that nobody canceled the laws of physics. That is why . If you slow down quickly, you increase the risk of skidding and loss of traction.
If your car has a small ground clearance, then by slowing down, you will reduce the formation of adhering snow under the bottom of the car, which prevents the car from moving freely on the road.
3. Be careful
Your actions on winter road must be fully controlled and deliberate. Remember, that fast acceleration, hard braking and sudden steering wheel turns can cause the vehicle to lose control and skid.
While driving, maintain an optimal low speed. Keep a distance from other vehicles necessary for emergency braking. All movements must be smooth and careful.
4. Let there be light
In inclement weather, be sure to turn on your low beam headlights. This will help other drivers see your vehicle. Also remember to always include parking lights to help other drivers see you on the road.
5. Use light signals
Many truckers around the world use a special technique for changing lanes while driving on the highway. In dry or rainy weather in autumn, summer and spring, before changing lanes, the truck driver turns on the turn signal and changes lanes only after the turn signal blinks three times. That is, on the third blinking of the collar, the driver starts rebuilding. In winter weather, it is better to start rebuilding after the turn signal flashes 4-5 times.
If for some reason your speed in winter is lower than that of other participants traffic, then move to the right lane and turn on the emergency gang. In this way, you warn other drivers that you are not just moving at a slow speed. This will protect not only you, but also other road users.
In addition, including alarm you will prevent the accumulation of cars behind you and will not annoy most drivers.
6. Be careful on slippery roads
Pay attention to water under the wheels of other vehicles while driving in cold weather. If there is a lot of spray on the road, then. In this case, you need to take additional measures precautions. The fact is that at negative temperatures, snow and ice melted from the wheels or from the reagent starts quickly, turning the road into a skating rink. If you see that the road is wet, but there is practically no spray, then be even more careful and careful, since this road surface is the most dangerous. No spatter on wet road may indicate that most of the water covered the asphalt with a thin layer of ice.
7. Watch out for truckers
If the weather starts to deteriorate and the trucks slow down you should do the same. If you have begun to notice that many drivers heavy vehicles trying to pull over, we advise you to bad weather do also. By no means does this advice recommend driving in the same way as truckers. The fact is that heavy vehicles have more ground clearance, big wheels and tires, and of course the total weight. Remember that the lighter the weight of the car, the more easily it loses traction. Also, do not forget that most truck drivers are professionals behind their backs, which have millions of kilometers traveled. That is why they are more confident behind the wheel.
8. Don't stop
If a snowstorm or fog catches you off guard while driving and you can't see beyond the hood of your car, don't stop right away. In order to stop, you need to choose the optimal and right place. After all, stopping you can bring snow and the car will get stuck. As a rule, even during heavy snowfalls many federal highways cleared of snow (including roadsides and exits).
9. Wait out the bad weather
Most best advice in case of deterioration of visibility in winter, it is to drive off the road and drive to a cleared area, gas station, hotel, cafe or restaurant. By parking your car, you can wait out the storm at the convenience store, gas station, etc.
Driving in heavy snow is very dangerous. And this is understood by almost all truck drivers.
10. Car traction
In winter, many cars often lose traction due to slippery roads. But if you think that ice is the reason for everything, then this is not so. In fact, traction is reduced due to the lack of water between the tires and pavement, which reduces the traction of the car. It is worth noting that a thin water film forms on the road in case of a slight frost, which can contribute to microhydroplaning of the car, which is fraught with unexpected skidding.
With deep tread. Also, the rubber should have small notches on the tread, which improves grip on packed snow or ice-covered roads.
11. Extreme cold is not necessarily your enemy.
The biggest risk of losing grip in winter is observed at temperatures from +1 to -3 degrees. With more cold weather-6 to -12 degrees or colder, the car has more traction and much less risk of skidding than in warmer air temperatures.
Don't believe? Try this: Take two ice cubes. Place one in a glass of water, put the other in the freezer for 30 minutes. Now try lifting an ice cube out of the glass with your finger. Notice how slippery the ice cube is. After 30 minutes, touch the ice cube with your fingers. Fingers will practically stick to it.
The same principle applies to driving. Ice in very coldy very sticky. But when the car is moving fast or slow, much more heat is applied to the ice, which contributes to more melting of the ice crust. Naturally, this reduces the traction of the car.
Ultimately, only you are personally responsible for your decisions on the road. It depends only on you whether you will make the right decision on the road. If the road is too bad make a decision to stop. Let the road services do their job, clearing the road.
Winter. The snow is falling, the roads are being cleared, the snow is covering them again. Clean asphalt has not been seen for a long time. And you have to travel, every day.
How to drive an automatic transmission in the winter season? Automatic in winter - is it a plus or a minus? If it’s a plus, then how to fully use it, if a minus, then how to compensate for it?
Let's look into all these issues.
Advantages of automatic transmission
The automatic transmission, when the car is moving, independently shifts gears, without distracting the driver from the process of driving the machine, especially under difficult road conditions. Saves him from constantly depressing the clutch pedal, turning on desired gear, which for some inexperienced motorists is a real torment. The automatic machine is especially convenient when driving in a traffic jam, you press the brake pedal, the car stops, releases it, the car drives smoothly, you don’t have to endlessly pull the gear lever, simultaneously work the accelerator and clutch pedals. When starting uphill, the machine moves the car without the risk of turning off the engine.
All this makes driving a car with an automatic machine a comfortable and safe activity, but only in summer, on flat good roads. In winter, the situation changes dramatically. There is snow on the road, frost under the snow, pieces of pure asphalt are visible somewhere, the grip of the car's wheels with the road is unstable. Slips, skids, loss of control are possible. All this complicates the operation of the hydromechanical transmission, and requires the driver to have additional knowledge and skills in driving a car with automatic transmission in the winter.
How to properly warm up the automatic transmission in winter
After overnight parking, the car should start, despite the noticeable cold. Modern engines with fuel injection systems, they allow you to start driving the car immediately, with little or no warm-up, but do not rush. It is required to let the engine run a little without load , liquefy engine oil, fill the lubrication system with it, let the pistons and cylinders warm up. It will take only 3-4 minutes for this, and the engine will repay the owner for this with long-term reliable work.
An automatic transmission is a very complex and rather capricious unit that requires even more careful attention to itself. The machine must be prepared before driving, which goes well with warming up the engine.
Two to three minutes after starting the engine, it is recommended to press the brake pedal and move the automatic transmission selector to position "D" (driving). Without releasing the brake, it is necessary to let the box work in this mode for 20 - 30 seconds, and then switch to the “R” mode (reverse). Then wait another 30 s. Repeat the entire procedure "D" - "R" a couple of times, while you can lightly press the "gas" pedal, after tightening the "handbrake".
Before starting to drive in winter, the automatic transmission must be prepared: switch the selector to the “D” mode, then to the “R” mode and wait half a minute, then repeat these steps a couple of times.
Initial warm-up power unit and the automatic transmission is finished, now you can get under way.
How to start driving on the machine in winter
One of the main advantages of a hydromechanical transmission is a smooth, jerk-free start of movement. On a car with "mechanics" a comfortable start depends on the skill and experience of the driver, the state of the clutch. The machine itself will gently move the car.
If the automatic transmission allows you to force the first gear (for example, boxes with the "Tiptronic" function or in the presence of modes "1", "2"), then you should use this.
Automatic transmission with "Tiptronic" function - T-shaped branch on the right side of the box for manual control.
The beginning of the journey - the first 400-600 meters - drive in first, then second gear, maintaining engine speed of about 2000 rpm. After turn on auto mode and continue to drive in a relaxed style, not zealous when pressing the accelerator pedal. After 8 - 10 km of the way, the automatic transmission is ready to work in the normal mode, switching from gear to gear smoothly, without bumps and jerks. This is another plus of the automatic transmission.
Warming up the automatic transmission and the engine is not a complicated operation. They do not take much time, but they greatly facilitate and lengthen the life of the power unit and hydromechanical automatic transmission. But if repair engine- operation worked out, and is carried out by many repair shops, then automatic transmission repair is a very, very expensive procedure, carried out only by specialized enterprises, and the result is not always positive.
How to drive an automatic in winter
The rules listed below are valid for cars with any gearbox, but for the "automatic" they are especially relevant.
Automatic transmission problems in winter and their solutions
The following are the disadvantages inherent in automatic machines, which must be remembered when winter operation hydromechanical transmissions, as well as options for their elimination.
Control of the machine during steep ascents and long descents
When driving in difficult conditions, when overcoming a steep slope or when driving on loose snow, the hydromechanical transmission can slip - this is its feature, since there is no rigid connection between the automatic transmission and the engine. In this situation, the driver must help the car by forcing a downshift in advance.
When driving on a long downhill slope, such as on mountain roads, to prevent dangerous acceleration of the vehicle, use only brake system cause the pads, discs or drums to overheat. It is necessary to force the second or even first gear of the automatic transmission to effectively slow down the car.
Automatic transmission control when parking in winter
When parking, especially on a slope, you should fix the car with the brake pedal, move the automatic transmission selector to the "N" position, tighten the "handbrake", and only then set the "P" mode - parking. This will protect the automatic transmission parking lock system from overloading.
