Common Car Misconceptions That Reduce Winter Driving Safety

Everyone has heard a few myths about winter driving and unfortunately many believe them. Unlike common household superstitions or worries about black cats, when driving a car, misconceptions can cause injury. Anyone who is preparing for their first experience of winter driving will be safer if they know what they should and shouldn’t believe.

Myth: Winter tires will keep you out of a ditch.
Reality: Only the driver can keep a vehicle on the road. Snow tires are great for better traction. They help to prevent some fish-tailing when taking off from a stop and may stabilize the vehicle on a snowy road. However speeding, hills and curves are always risky in bad weather, and stopping is always going to take longer on icy road.

Myth: Cars only need two winter tires.
Reality: Whether a car is front-wheel drive or rear-wheel drive, it uses all of the tires to start and stop. A full set of tires improves the vehicle’s abilities during these actions.

Myth: Pumping the brakes prevents sliding.
Reality: Modern vehicles have anti-lock braking systems, designed to prevent the brakes from locking when pressed too quickly and firmly. the reason pumping was necessary. With ABS systems, consistent, firm pressure on the brakes is best.

Myth: Four-wheel drive and all-wheel drive vehicles do not need winter tires.
Reality: Every vehicle will experience better traction with winter tires. These vehicles have improved handling for accelerating, but the improved stopping and turning ability makes winter tires worth the investment.

Deciding to install winter tires is only one of the decisions to make. There is also the worry about what brand to buy, whether to have them studded and when to install and remove them. For help with all of these decisions, contact us for more information.