How to drive on snow, tips to do it safely
Moms, don't panic! If you are forced to get into your car during - or after - a heavy snowfall, know that driving in these conditions is much easier than you think. You just need more attention and follow a few simple suggestions. One thing is certain: you will be very good at driving on the snow even without being experienced drivers.
The right amenities
First of all, you must make sure that you have the compulsory winter equipment available on your machine, in Italy, in the period between November 15th and April 15th. Check if the area in which you are driving includes this obligation: as we know, it is not necessary to adapt in all areas of Italy. Drive carefully in the snow, but already with this configuration of your car, you are already well under way. Winter equipment means winter tires or chains on board, to be fitted in case of snow or ice.
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Winter tires and chains
Winter tires are those with the M + S (mud + snow) seals in evidence. If the abbreviation is accompanied by the logo of a mountain with a snowflake, it means that it is a snow and thermal tire, able to guarantee safer performance. The chains must be mounted on the traction axis. So if you have a rear-wheel drive car, remember that the chains must be mounted on the rear wheels! In the case of 4x4s, on the other hand, you can choose, although we recommend that you mount them on the front to improve the vehicle's steering ability.
Speaking of all-wheel drive cars, these are of course the safest on difficult surfaces. Check if your car has all-wheel drive on demand, that is, if you have to press a button to activate it, or if your vehicle gives you the possibility to choose a driving mode: if present, opt for the Snow setting, or slippery surfaces.
The penalties of the Highway Code
Avoid driving on snow with summer tires, not only for safety reasons, but also because you could run into administrative penalties. According to the Highway Code, in fact, the motorist who circulates on roads where winter equipment is mandatory, risks a penalty ranging from 41 to 168 euros for circulation in built-up areas, or a fine between 84 and 355 euros if the assessment is on external roads.
The four seasons and speed
There are, however, two important exceptions. You can drive - peacefully - on the snow if you have fitted a set of “four season” tires on your car; or if your tires have a speed index equal to or greater than that indicated on the registration certificate. How is it recognized? It is very easy: it is an alphabetical code on the side of the tires which corresponds to the maximum speed at which a tire can travel. For example, the “Q” code corresponds to 160 Km / h.
Constant driving
Driving on snow also means little pressure on the brake and accelerator pedal: dear mothers, be careful! And ... Sweetness. Tire grip, in these circumstances, is often very poor. So proceed with soft movements, without too much stress. Driving on snow also requires a certain consistency of speed - not excessive - without abrupt and sudden maneuvers that could cause you to lose control of your vehicle.
Safety distance
Keep a safe distance from other cars. When driving in snow, it may even be necessary to quadruple it. The braking distances are getting longer and the risk of colliding with the car in front of us is just around the corner.
Ups and downs
If the route involves downhill or uphill roads, dear mothers, follow these rules. Uphill, use not too high gears, but stay constant. Try not to lose speed but, at the same time, avoid sudden acceleration or risky overtaking, also due to poor visibility.For those in possession of recent cars, absolutely do not disconnect the electronics (ESP) and let them come to your rescue. Devices like these are very useful when driving in the snow. On downhill roads, or simply on garage ramps, try to press the brake pedal as little as possible. When driving on snow, let the engine brake intervene and in any case keep a very low gear, like the second one.
In the past, at Mamme in Auto it happened to drive in the snow on the roads of Sweden. And to be honest, it's not like there was just a few centimeters cloak. In case of heavy snowfall, contrary to what one might think, it is always better to avoid following the trails left by other motorists. And do you know why? Because, sometimes, tracks can be created that do not allow the tires to maneuver.
In conclusion…
Driving on snow, as you may have guessed, is not that demanding. A greater danger comes from the ice. Here too, the advice is always the same: slow speed and touch the brake pedal as little as possible.
