How to drive in strong gusts of wind?

Fog and precipitation increase our vigilance while driving. However, we often forget how difficult it is to ride in strong winds. The risk of falling off the road and an accident is greatly increased by the large size of the vehicle and the lateral direction from which the wind is blowing. How to drive a car when driving becomes more and more difficult by the minute? We advise!

Shortly speaking

Driving in strong winds requires the driver to be extra careful. Before you hit the road, it's worth checking the tread depth, tire pressure and suspension condition. After leaving the road, maintain a safe speed, and when leaving a closed area into an open area, slow down additionally - this is the key moment when the wind attacks the car with double force. Hold the steering wheel firmly with your hands. Do not park near trees or electricity poles. And at the first opportunity on a safe off-road, practice emergency braking.

The effect of strong wind on driving a car

We classify a wind as strong if its speed equal to or greater than 11 m / s - this is enough to make driving difficult. It's especially dangerous the wind presses on the open area to the side of the car... In such a situation, it is easy to lose traction and collide with the road. Wind blowing on the front of the vehicle it slows us down, makes us push harder on the gas and increases fuel consumption when we try to maintain the desired speed. This is a vicious circle because the air resistance increases in proportion to the square of the speed, that is, double acceleration causes four times the air resistance. It's much easier to imagine riding with the wind blowing in the backbut here there is a risk - the stopping distance can be much longer.

And which cars are particularly sensitive to wind? Contrary to appearances, the threat is the same regardless of the size of the vehicle. A big car is a big area that is affected by the wind. On the other hand, small ones don't have enough mass to withstand strong gusts, so it's not surprising that they sway from side to side. Therefore, driving a car in such a situation, regardless of the model, requires a lot of concentration. During this time, do not get distracted, for example, listen to the radio, listen to an audiobook, or talk with other passengers.... How else can you deal with this? You will find out by reading our post to the end.

How to drive in high winds?

By adhering to a few rules, you can significantly minimize the risk of your vehicle driving off the road and colliding with a sound screen or other vehicle in a strong gust of wind.

Easy car driving

In strong winds, you should not only adhere to the speed limit on the route, but also take your foot off the gas a little. The speed you choose has a significant effect on handling - the faster you go, the more difficult it becomes and the more likely that a strong gust of wind will move the car along the roadagainst your intentions.

Besides safe speed, strengths are also important. holding the wheel with both hands. This allows you to quickly regain control when the car suddenly starts to deviate from the track. React quickly by adjusting the position of the wheels depending on the direction of the wind, but not abruptly - the movements should be smooth. For example, to compensate for the wind when the car turns left, turn the steering wheel slightly to the left.

Strong jerks of the steering wheel in a car without ABS are completely inappropriate, since they significantly weaken the grip of the wheels with the ground, as well as sharp braking. How to apply the emergency brake in this case? Start by lightly applying the brake, and when the car starts to slow down, apply more pressure to help you get back on track. However, in a vehicle with ABS, emergency braking requires firm pedal pressure to activate the anti-lock braking system and, if distance allows, try to avoid the obstacle. If the ABS does not work and your speed leaves no chance of slowing down and avoiding the obstacle, remove your foot from the brake pedal and immediately maneuver the steering wheel to avoid a collision. Of course, if you ride a little slower than usual, you do not have to put so much effort into a safe slalom among branches or other objects, what the wind will bring to the street.

Be careful

As you travel along the route, pay attention to whether the strong wind has blown debris onto the road, whether power lines have been cut off, or trees have fallen. With the right speed, you will carefully avoid obstacles in your path, especially when driving in the dark when you rely only on the light from the headlights. Looking for the perfect place to stop avoid parking near trees and supportsbecause a broken branch or high voltage line can not only damage your vehicle, but also injure you. If you have enough space on the road, keep a safe distance, especially from trucks and lorriesthat weigh their own weight. In such difficult road conditions, it is not easy for professional drivers to operate the steering wheel.

Avoid the dangers

The rule is simple - if you do not urgently need to go anywhere, postpone the trip until the weather calms down. You can also develop the habit of checking the weather before leaving the house to take a more relaxed route. Be careful when leaving areas covered with trees or sound screens, onto bridges or overpassesbecause the wind pressure will be felt there the strongest.

If a gusty wind blew for several days, care should be taken to properly prepare the car for the route. Tires should be adjusted to the season, unused and properly inflated. The tire pressures recommended by the car manufacturers can be found on the decal on the driver's side door, fuel filler cap, and in the vehicle owner's manual. Also check the suspension regularly because well-groomed shock absorbers prevent the car from swaying from strong wind.

Do you live in a mountainous, windy village and travel long distances to work every day? Maybe you should look for a car with Crosswind Assist or Electronic Stability Program, EPS for short.

Do you want to prepare your car for harsh weather conditions as much as possible? Take a look at avtotachki.com - with us you will do everything that will be useful to you so that your car is ready for any situation.

Find out more about driving in difficult road conditions:

How to drive safely in fog?

Driving in hot weather - take care of yourself and your car!

Storm driving - learn how to survive it safely