Stay Safe This Winter Season: Driving Tips to Get You Through Wintery Tough Spots

Winter is a lovely time of the year. The snow glistens on the ground. Children bundle up and run outside to make snowmen and snow angels, only to run back inside to enjoy a hot cup of cocoa. You and your spouse sit in front of a roaring fire, enjoying the warmth.

At least, that’s what happens when you’re at home. Once you get outside and behind the wheel of your Land Rover, the snowy landscape tends to take on a whole new look. Instead of being beautiful, it’s dangerous, both to yourself and others on the road. Navigating icy motorways and drifts of snow makes you feel as if you should be earning some kind of medal for your bravery.

So, how do you survive such a frightening and death-defying task? If you can at all, avoid it. If not, there are a few things you can do to ensure both you and your car make it to your destination safely.

 

Prepare for Winter Driving

As with most things, the first step to protecting yourself when driving in the winter is to prepare for the trip, no matter how short or long.

 

• Perform Some Winter Maintenance- To ensure your Land Rover is ready for the freezing conditions, take a look at some of its car parts and then repair or replace them accordingly. Some main Land Rover parts to consider at your windscreen wipers, tyre tread, battery and anti-freeze. Keeping your windscreen clear of ice, snow and sludge thrown by other drivers is essential. After all, you need to see exactly where you’re going when driving. In the washer reservoir, make sure there is plenty of no-freeze fluid for washing the windscreen in the midst of driving.

 

• Ready Some Supplies- Getting stuck on the side of the road is never fun, but when you’re stuck in a snow drift, it gets even worse. Be prepared with plenty of blankets, food, water and a charged cell phone. Keep a torch, shovel, ice scraper and snow brush on hand as well. Carrying some abrasive material with you, like cat litter or sand, is also helpful, as you can place these materials under the tyres to get some traction if you’re stuck.

 

• Practise- Want to survive winter-driving obstacles? Practise for them during the day slowly. Rehearse manoeuvres on snow and ice so you know what to do in an emergency. Be aware of the types of brakes your Land Rover has as well. If these car parts are antilock, you’ll want to stomp on them to stop quickly. If not, pumping them is the better option.

 

Driving in Snow

Ready to hit the road? Here’s what to do when driving in snow.

 

• Always remove accumulated snow from the top of your vehicle. While you drive, this snow could fall down onto the windscreen, obstructing your view.

 

• Leave as much room as possible between your Land Rover and the car in front of you. Stopping times increase in the snow, and you’ll want to be prepared for this.

 

• Use low revs when accelerating- and accelerate gently! If you’re operating a manual Land Rover, you may need to begin acceleration in second gear to prevent wheel slip.

 

• If you should skid, don’t panic or turn in the opposite direction. Take a second to breathe, then steer into the direction the car is sliding. Don’t stomp on the brakes or remove your hands from the steering wheel.

 

• It may seem like cars before you have left you a gift of a trail to follow when you see their wheeltracks on the road. If the road hasn’t been gritted, however, staying in these tracks can be dangerous. Compressed snow is much more icy than fresh. Make your own path.

 

• Don’t succumb to snow blindness. Wear sunglasses to help reduce the glare caused by the sun on snow.

 

Driving on Ice

One of the most important tips for driving on ice is to only do it if you really think you have no other choice. Don’t be afraid to turn back and wait out the weather somewhere if you can. If this isn’t possible, make sure your car is prepared by inspecting Land Rover parts prior to taking off. Be smart about your route as well. Take roads that are much more likely to be occupied. If you happen to go off the road and get stuck, help will arrive much more quickly. Here are some other useful tips:

 

• Plan your route ahead of time and let someone know where you are. You’re much more likely to receive help if others know your location.

 

• Leave plenty of room between your vehicle and the next. Stopping and steering times increase greatly on ice, and you need to give yourself plenty of time.

 

• Whether you’re accelerating, braking, changing gears or steering, always do so as slowly and smoothly as possible. Jerky movements can result in loss of control on ice.

 

• Attempt to drive in a higher gear when on ice. This will help your tyres grip more easily.

 

Driving in Hail

At any time of the year, driving in hail can be hazardous. In winter, protect yourself and your Land Rover by:

 

• Stay inside your car if possible. Hail can cause serious injuries, as it falls at fast speeds.

 

• If hail is large or severe, don’t attempt to drive. Instead, pull onto a hard shoulder or top under an overpass. Keep in mind that it is possible for hail to damage Land Rover parts like windows and your windscreen.

 

• When stopped, always angle your Land Rover in such a way that the windscreen and front of the car is taking the most damage. Windscreens are reinforced to withstand more abuse from weather and driving conditions, while backglass and side windows are not.

 

Are you ready to venture out in your Land Rover this winter? Make sure you’re prepared first by checking car parts, filling your boot with supplies you might need and practising winter driving. Then, use these tips to ensure your safety on the road.