Before heading to snowy climes, review basics of winter driving

Spend most of the year driving the usually ice-free, almost always snow-free roads of Southern Nevada and being forced to drive on snow- and ice-covered roads outside of town can be scarier than participating in a bumper car free-for-all at the carnival.

While the basics of winter driving are easily enough recalled by expatriates of snowy climes and Southern Nevadans who regularly drive out of town to ski, vacation or visit relatives, the start of the Christmas travel season always marks a good time to review the basics of safe winter motoring.

That's because wintertime driving involves, in large part, skills that can be learned and, if not practiced, forgotten, says Cynthia Harris, a spokeswoman for AAA Nevada, and for those who don't usually drive on snowy roads, "it's an acquired skill, absolutely."

Today's cars are packed with such safety features as anti-lock braking systems. But, Harris says, "you really need to know how to use them and get them into action, because you can have fancy gadgets and protections in your vehicle, but if you don't know how to drive it, you're in serious trouble."

So, your vehicle's owner's manual should be your first resource guide for winter driving. In it, you'll find information about how your car's safety features work, advice about operating your car safely and tips about how to handle such potential weather-related emergencies as getting stuck in the snow.

Before you head out

Because winter can be so hard on cars, you might want to have a trusted mechanic give your vehicle a once-over. At the very least, take a few minutes to check out a few basics yourself.

Check oil and fluid levels, and particularly anti-freeze level. Inspect belts and hoses for cracks or leaks. Make sure windshield wipers aren't worn and that lights are working and kept free of dirt, ice, snow and slush. Check battery terminals and cables to make sure they're not corroded and connections are tight.

Check tires for both proper tread depth and proper inflation. And, Harris says, "make sure you have plenty of gas in the car." The AAA recommends keeping at least a half-tank of gas in your car at all times.

A few things to pack

Harris notes that, while nobody plans to have a trip interrupted by an emergency, things do happen. So, she says, "you need to be prepared."

Pack emergency flashers, triangles or flares, as well as a shovel and a bag of sand or kitty litter or a traction mat. The AAA also recommends packing in your emergency kit: blankets and extra clothing; extra drinking water, medications and nonperishable foods; maps; a flashlight with extra batteries; extra window washer fluid; an ice scraper and a brush; a first aid kit; and a few basic tools.

Driving tips

When driving on icy roads, do everything more slowly than you would on clear roads. Brake more slowly. Accelerate more slowly. Make turns more slowly.

The AAA also recommends leaving at least three times more space between you and the vehicle up ahead than you normally would.

Turn on your lights to both increase your own visibility and let other drivers know where you are, and don't use cruise control on icy roads.

Pay attention to the road and be wary of shady areas, bridges, overpasses and less-frequently traveled stretches of pavement that may still have ice even if the temperature outside is above freezing, the AAA says.

Don't pass snow plows or salt or sand trucks. The drivers of such vehicles have limited visibility and, the AAA notes, the road ahead of them will be in worse condition than the road behind them.

Brake gently to avoid going into a skid. Check your vehicle's owner's manual for advice about how to best utilize your car's anti-lock braking system.

But, in general, if rear wheels skid, take your foot off of the accelerator and steer in the direction that you want the front wheels to go, the AAA says. If your rear wheels are sliding left, steer left, and vice versa, and continue to do the same if the car continues to veer. If you have standard brakes, pump them gently. If you have anti-lock brakes, don't pump the brakes, but, instead, apply steady pressure.

And, in general, if front wheels skid, take your foot off the gas and shift to neutral, and don't bother to try to steer immediately, the AAA says. As the wheels skid sideways, they'll make the vehicle slow down until traction returns. Then, steer in the direction that you want to go, put the transmission into drive, and accelerate gently.

If you get stuck in snow, don't spin the wheels. Instead, the AAA recommends turning your wheels from side to side a few times to move snow out of the way, then touching lightly on the accelerator to ease yourself out. A shovel will help to clear the path in front of the wheels, while putting down sand or kitty litter ahead of the wheels can help to increase traction.

Gently rocking the vehicle between forward to reverse might work. But check your owner's manual first, because rocking can damage some vehicles' transmissions, the AAA says.

If you become snowbound

Stay with your vehicle. The AAA notes that your vehicle not only will offer shelter, but staying with it will make it easier for rescuers to find you.

Tie a brightly colored cloth to the antenna or at the top of a rolled-up window as a signal that you're in trouble. Don't try to walk in a snowstorm.

At night, keep the dome light on. That, too, will make it easier for rescuers to find you, the AAA says. Also be sure to keep the exhaust pipe clear of snow, ice and mud, because a blocked pipe can cause a buildup of deadly carbon monoxide inside the car.

Use whatever is available to insulate your body from the cold, the AAA says. If possible, run the engine and car heater just long enough to remove the chill and to conserve gas.

Finally ...

Check weather reports before heading out, the AAA recommends. Avoid driving if the prediction is bad, but, if you have to go, let others know your route, your destination and your estimated time of arrival.