How to drive a car in ice conditions?

When the ground temperature stays below freezing but the air heats up, rain and falling fog can form a thin layer of ice on the roadway. This phenomenon is extremely dangerous for drivers, especially since it is almost imperceptible. How to behave then?

What will you learn from this post?

• Why is ice so dangerous?
• What to do when the car skids?
• How to brake safely on ice?

Shortly speaking

Most often, ice appears during severe frosts and the onset of rain or drizzle. On the ground, which retains its temperature longer than the air, raindrops freeze to form a thin, barely visible precipitate. Riding on the so-called "glass" or "black ice" requires caution and concentration. Your enemy is speed and violence.

Drive carefully

Since black ice is almost invisible to the driver, how can you recognize it? It is easy to notice the symptom of driving on "black ice" - this is ... silence! If you suddenly stop hearing the noise of the tires, and the car seems to be sliding smoothly on the asphalt, a warning lamp should light up in your head. Then you better restrain your natural reflexes. While the steps to take in such a situation may seem non-instinctive, they can save your life if you practice them beforehand.

Avoid harsh maneuvers. On thin ice, the rear wheels easily lose traction and oversteer, making the front of the vehicle more manageable. As a result, the rear end is "thrown" and you lose control of the vehicle. In order to straighten the track, you need to do it at the right time. steering wheel counter... If the front wheels run apart while cornering, i.e. understeer, release the accelerator pedal, straighten the steering wheel slightly, and then carefully turn it back again. Sometimes it's better to take a wider angle, but get out alive.

However, above all, when there is a risk of icing, it's time to take your foot off the gas... The slower you move, the more time you will have to react.

Braking

The braking torque is the most insidious and dangerous when driving on slippery surfaces. When the road is covered with black ice, never do not press the brake pedal to the floor! Locked front wheels on a really slippery road will not only not stop the car, but also cause it to slide forward uncontrollably. Impulse braking, that is, releasing the brake pedal at a high frequency, is a much better solution. The ABS system works in a similar way: thanks to sensors, it automatically adjusts the microbraking in such a way as to prevent loss of steering.

When the weather is favorable for icy conditions, they become the most dangerous places. bridges, overpasses and roads located near reservoirs... It is on them that ice fog can settle. Remember that calmness and discretion can save not only you, but other road users as well.

This is also important technical condition of your car... Be sure to check the brakes and fit good tires before the cold weather sets in. You will find all the accessories and parts you need. on avtotachki.com! Safe way!

And if you want to know more about driving safely, read our blog:

By car at Christmas - how to travel safely?

How to brake safely on slippery roads?

Be careful, it will be slippery! Check the brakes on your car