6 Winter Driving Safety Tips

Posted on Jan 20th, 2012 under Blog

Safe Winter Driving

A new study commissioned by the Ford Motor Company of Canada revealed less than half of Ontarians (44 per cent) do not install winter tires compared to Atlantic Canadians that do (76 per cent). Ontario drivers represent the lowest number of safe drivers in Canada.

winter ice snow 6 Winter Driving Safety Tips

Overall, Canadians are confident, prepared and careful winter drivers, according to the study. Nearly 80 per cent of Canadians say they are at least somewhat confident in their ability to drive in snowy or icy conditions and more than 85 per cent of Canadian drivers take extra precautions on the road by leaving extra space and decreasing their speed.

Other Survey Findings:

Drivers in the Prairies and married couples tend to be more confident, better prepared and more cautious drivers when compared to the rest of Canada. Albertans are the most confident winter drivers – 43 per cent say they are very confident when it comes to braving winter road conditions.
Remember, being prepared is half the battle. Drivers in Manitoba and Saskatchewan are the most prepared drivers in Canada as they are more likely to pack essential and emergency tools like an ice scraper, booster cables, shovel, first-aid kit and extra shoes and clothing.
It’s always good to have an emergency stash. Drivers in British Columbia are more likely than drivers in any other province to have extra food and snacks on-hand in case of emergency.
Cars need “winter shoes” too. Canadians in Atlantic Canada (76 per cent) are more likely to install winter tires on their vehicles than any other province (not including provinces where installation mandatory) while only less than half of Ontarians (44 per cent) do – the lowest number when compared to the rest of the country.
Two heads are better than one. Married drivers are more cautious than single drivers when on the road:
- 90 per cent of married drivers decrease their speed in snowy conditions versus 78 per cent of single drivers.
- Married drivers are more likely to install winter tires on their vehicles than single drivers (68 per cent versus 51 per cent).

Winter Driving Tips

Weather conditions will vary across the country, but there are basic things drivers should do to stay save on the road:

1) Vehicle maintenance: Vehicles that have been regularly maintained according to their manufacturers required maintenance schedule should be ready for winter weather. If not, a visit to our Service Centers to “catch up” on your required maintenance will ensure the vehicle is ready for the season.

2) Read your owner’s manual: All vehicles have different characteristics that will react to winter weather differently. This is a good time to check the manual for your particular vehicle’s winter driving tips.

3) Monitor tire wear: There are three important aspects when it comes to tires: pressure, tread wear and age.• Tire pressure: Cold weather causes tires to lose pressure and become underinflated. Check your tire pressure regularly, especially when the temperature changes.

• Winter tires: The grooves in winter tires are about 30 per cent deeper than those in all-season tires, and they grip more effectively. All-season tires also start to lose their traction at around 8 degrees Celsius

• Tire tread depth: Make sure your tires are in good condition, show no signs of irregular wear and have sufficient tread. If you see an issue, or are unsure what to look for stop by one of our Service Centers.

• Tire age: Old tires can be unsafe, especially in the winter. It is recommended that tires older than six years be replaced.

4) Slow and steady: Remember to slow down and leave extra space between you and the vehicle in front of you. Also, avoid abrupt moves – don’t stop, start, or change direction suddenly and you’ll maintain better control of your vehicle in inclement conditions.

5) Goodbye cruise control: Never use the speed control in slippery conditions. If the weather suddenly becomes hazardous while cruise control is engaged, simply disengage it manually or lightly tap the brakes.

6) Get to know the safety alphabet: Become more familiar with your vehicle’s safety features such as ABS, TC, ESC and RSC, to understand how they can help.

• Anti-lock Braking System (ABS): Apply firm, continuous pressure on the brake pedal and ABS may activate to help you maintain control of the vehicle. Do not pump the brakes on a vehicle equipped with ABS.

• Traction Control: This feature most often engages at low speeds. In the majority of winter driving conditions, it is best to keep the traction control feature ON. However, in extreme conditions – for instance, deep snow or sheer ice – it may be better to turn OFF your traction control to get moving.

• Electronic Stability Control (ESC): ESC helps prevent your vehicle from skidding out or sliding laterally in slippery conditions.

• Roll Stability Control. (RSCR): AdvanceTracR with Roll Stability Control. helps to avoid a rollover in a collision situation.

Keep these tips in mind and let us know if our factory trained mechanics can help keep you and your family safe.