Driving on ice

Tips for gettin' around when the weather gets tough ... specifically, when the streets are coated with an often thin but potentially deadly layer of ice:

If you skid -- If your car starts to skid, turn the steering wheel in the direction of the skid. Let your foot off the gas pedal but don't hit the brakes. Keep your wits and in most cases you can regain control of the car before you hit anything.

Easy braking -- Lightly pump the brakes W-A-Y before you need to stop (like, hundreds of feet sooner than you'd normally brake). If you slam on the brakes, especially while trying to stop on a hill, you might as well be driving on skis.

Gas up -- Keep at least a half tank of gas in the car at all times, in case you get stranded and need to run the engine to stay warm. If you do run the engine on idle, make sure the tailpipe isn't blocked by snow or other obstructions (lest the inside of the car fill with a deadly dose of fumes ...).

No cruisin' -- Don't use cruise control, which can spin you out of control if you hit a patch of ice.

Checkup -- Give your car a quick checkup and make sure it's got a charged battery, and the correct level of antifreeze and tire pressure. Also, make sure the spare tire, wheel wrench and jack are all in their proper place.

Pack properly -- Always carry a blanket, jumper cables and first aid kit. A bag of salt or cat litter could help you get traction on a slick surface.

Take transit -- Consider taking a bus or train instead. They usually operate on a full schedule, even when good weather goes bad. In Tarrant County, check out the Fort Worth Transportation Authority at www.the-t.com

-- Gordon.

Sources: Various, including GMAC Insurance.

Comments

[Jason]

Duh.

[Bub]

My tips:

Try not to make any sudden moves and see far enough ahead and try to avoid coming to a stop on an incline and to have time to adjust speed for a curve or turn.

Try to build speed when approaching hills and bridges and then coast over them without using the accelerator or brakes.

If it's particularly slippery and you are slowing down in an automatic transmission, place the shifter into neutral. The drive wheels in vehicles with automatic transmissions tend to continue to turn when in drive even when at idle.

If you have 4-wheel or all wheel drive, please drive with those that are not as agile in mind. Your speeding, lane changing and otherwise showboating only adds difficulty to those struggling on the ice.

[Dr. G]

There are some SERIOUS problems with these "tips"

If you skid: if you are driving a car with front wheel drive(and most of them are these days). DO NOT let off the gas. Doing so will be asking for a spin. You are better off putting the car in neutral if you can't hit the gas.

Braking: many cars on the road have ABS now and pumping the brakes would be a disaster. People need to know what they have and get this......PRACTICE stopping or skidding in a safe place before hitting the roads.

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