Myths versus reality. DOTZ asked the winter driving expert.
BACK TO OVERVIEWAs promised, we are presenting you the second part of our DOTZ story about driving on snow and ice. Once again, together with our motorsports expert and driving skills instructor Reini Sampl. This time, it's all about "emergency turns" to avoid obstacles in bad road conditions and other myths we keep hearing about.
#wintercarmythos3
With ABS you can brake as usual even on snow. How can I best avoid an obstacle? What’s the difference in braking path between cars with and without ABS?
Reini Sampl:
When braking with ABS it’s important to apply even pressure on the brake pedal and to avoid hitting an obstacle using a particular steering manoeuvre. In cars without ABS braking abruptly will block the wheels, resulting in a lack of grip, and you will start to slide. This case requires the skill of regaining control over the car. Most cars today have ABS though. Simply bear in mind to always reduce speed so as not to get into a situation like this in the first place.
#wintercarmythos4
Cars with a rear-wheel drive perform very poorly on snow. How do I react with a rear-wheel drive? How do I react with a front-wheel drive?
Reini Sampl:
The position of the engine is crucial as it will place more weight on the respective wheels which will, in turn, have an impact on your driving behaviour. The engine and the drive in, for example, a Porsche are in the rear. If you react quickly you can easily manoeuvre yourself out of a dangerous situation even in a car with a rear-wheel drive.
Cars with a front-wheel drive mostly “understeer”, which means that they keep on driving straight ahead without reacting to steering manoeuvres. The reason is that cars with a front-wheel drive tend towards “understeering” as they must perform propulsion and steering forces at the same time. Most cars are designed to “understeer” as it makes it easier to control such risky situations quicker. Gentle braking and simultaneous steering are crucial in such cases. Adjusting the speed to a given situation applies to both cases.
TIP: A winter driving safety training is the best investment in one’s own health and that of all other road users. In a dangerous situation only routine counts and not the type of drive.
#wintercarmythos6
All-season tyres are perfectly fine for winter. What do you have to keep in mind when using all-season tyres?
Reini Sampl:
All-season tyres can always only be a compromise as they can be used both in summer and winter. There’s also the question of different braking distances. When comparing winter tyres and all-season tyres, winter tyres will always perform better because they are designed specially for such requirements. That’s why in winter you should make more adjustments to a situation when using all-season tyres by reducing speed and driving cautiously. Even though all-season tyres are a serious alternative with increasingly better results, the all-in-one solution tyre has not been invented yet. Or would you go out for a walk in snowy, stormy and icy conditions in your flip-flops?
TIP: Most probably you wear different shoes in different seasons. Why should that be any different for your car?
Wordrap with Reini:
As a lottery millionaire you would…
… spend the entire Monday shopping until my bank balance is restored on Tuesday and the garage a bit fuller.
My dream car is…
… Luckily, I’m already driving many of my dream cars.
My role-model is…
… I have many role-models in my life. It’s important to be surrounded by people that have a positive outlook on the future, follow their life motto and achieve their goals because they don’t give up.
Your tip for young car drivers…
… More self-evaluation and more practice! The road will never adjust to the car and certainly not to the driver.
I wish for the future…
… an end to the pandemic, being able to live a normal life again and look positively to the future!
We hope that, together with Reini, we were able to give you some valuable tips, hopefully busting some myths. We wish you safe driving for the remaining winter season and lest we forget… Spring is near, and our range now boasts a design explosion of beautiful new rims. You will certainly find something for your ride – check out our rim wardrobe!
#staysafe #drivesafe