Two Essential Rules for Driving on Icy Roads

[MineralMan]

1. Do not drive on icy roads. This rule will prevent all difficulties from driving on icy roads.
2. If you must drive on icy roads, begin stopping before you drive forward from the last stop. By that, I mean that you should always be preparing to stop, which may well take far more distance than you're used to. Be aware of the distance between you and anything in front of you, and allow plenty of it. Be aware of road conditions and drive no faster than a speed that will allow you to stop in the distance available. To test conditions, try stopping when you do not need to and when there is no danger, to determine how long it will take to stop. Remember your ABS braking system, and allow it to do its job.

Words from a Minnesota driver.

[cali]

1. sound advice. I also want to note that all wheel drive is NOT your friend on icy roads.

[Scuba]

3. AWD is great for lots of things, but isn't a panacea for any of them, particularly stopping.

[Scuba]

2. 1. Slow down. 2. Slow down a whole bunch more.

[MineralMan]

9. Exactly.

Once you test your stopping abilities, that will be quite obvious.

[PumpkinAle]

4. Thanks MM

Also for black ice:

Black ice is most likely to form when there is a sudden temperature drop such as in the early morning and evening hours. Common problem areas are bridges, overpasses and shaded areas of the road. These areas have much colder surfaces that rapidly freeze when air moisture makes contact—especially if they're near lakes or rivers.

Detect Warning Signs
When favorable conditions are present, be on high alert. Black ice looks a lot like wet blacktop. Look for these warning signs:
Absence of water spray on a seemingly wet road
Cars suddenly swerving or skidding
Brake lights ahead
Cars or tire tracks in the ditch
Shiny surfaces next to a dull black

Stay Calm on Black Ice
If you're caught on black ice, use these tips to maneuver past the problem area:
Do nothing: Avoid making sudden moves or turning the wheel. Smoothly lift your foot off the accelerator and glide across the ice in a straight line until you find traction.
Shift: If possible, slowly shift to a lower gear for added control.
Brake wisely: If you begin to skid, firmly press on your brakes to activate the anti-lock brake system (ABS). Or, if you don't have ABS, pump the brakes gently.
Avoid spinout: If your front end is sliding, steer in the opposite direction of the skid; if the back end is sliding, steer in the same direction.
Look toward where you want to go: Avoid looking where you think you might crash—you might inadvertently veer the car in that direction.

[Hassin Bin Sober]

15. Cars suddenly and swerving or skidding - Yes. Watch what the other guys are doing on bridges ahead.

I had that happen to me here in Chicago. It was a sunny winter morning with a fresh layer of snow fall. There was just enough sun and traffic to melt the snow on the roads so the roads were clear.

I don't know what made me think of it, but I slowed down right before hitting the overpass from Lake Shore Drive to I55. I came around the bend and it was like that old table top football game where the player pieces slide all over the vibrating field - cars spinning out bouncing off each other.

I managed to get on the shoulder were there was still snow and traction and I creped pass the mess.

On the way out I55 there was at least two more bridges that had cars piled in to the rails.

If I can, I will always try to coast over bridges in iffy weather.

[AgingAmerican]

5. If you have to go downhill don't use the brakes

Put the car in lower gear and idle down hill, else you will slide.

[MineralMan]

11. Yes. There's a hill on the route I usually take to my home.

There's a stop sign at the bottom of the hill. When I turn onto the street where the hill is, I go about a block, always in first gear in my standard transmission car. I never go faster than walking speed down that hill. I very lightly brake going down the hill. I can stop at the stop sign.

When it's really nasty, I take another route to get home.

[snooper2]

6. Rule #1, coasting is your friend

Last edited Wed Jan 29, 2014, 02:10 PM - Edit history (1)

Rule #2, Keep distance from everyone else

Rule #3, LOCK UP the brakes for 500 milliseconds every once in a while. Just slam the pedal for half a second and let off. That will give you an indication of traction capabilities.

Rule #4, GOOSE THE GAS for 500 milliseconds every once in a while to give yourself an indication of traction.


Rule #5, If you do rule number #3 or #4 with another vehicle close by in any direction you aren't following rule #2. Leave the roads and your vehicle ASAP


ON EDIT, forgot-
Rule #6, If you are scared to do rule #3 or rule #4 don't leave your driveway

[Hassin Bin Sober]

17. And don't use cruise in bad road conditions.

[bemildred]

7. "Never go over 3 miles an hour, avoid hills, and assume everyone you see will try to hit you."

i remember an early 80s storm in Virginia, -6 deg. at Dulles, 6" of ice that looked like frozen snot on the interstate, and cars in the ditch everywhere.

[Lugnut]

8. I can handle snowy roads.

Living in NE PA has given me many years of practice. I avoid icy roads at all costs.

[handmade34]

10. I always

put studded tires on in winter... they help a little on ice... but your advice is much better overall!!!

[MineralMan]

12. They're not legal in Minnesota, sadly.

[handmade34]

13. ouch...

I wouldn't go out nearly as much without them

[Hassin Bin Sober]

16. Now there's a Vermonter!

[handmade34]

18. I don't take driving on these roads lightly...

I'm here everytime I go out...

[randome]

14. Embrace the slide.

That's always my advice to anyone facing fears or a tough task. Embrace it.

By that, I don't mean deliberately try to make yourself slide on icy roads. But don't panic. Stay calm and confident and most things in life can be overcome and dealt with.
[hr][font color="blue"][center]The truth doesn’t always set you free.
Sometimes it builds a bigger cage around the one you’re already in.[/center][/font][hr]