Westworld Alberta
Issue link: http://westworldmagazine.ama.ab.ca/i/198651
Winter Driving Self-Help Talk yourself into taking the high road this winter by Shauna Rudd W hen it comes to winter driving, "Be Prepared" is the best motto. But as the high volume of AMA Roadside Assistance calls shows, Albertans aren't always putting this into practice. Here are a few not-so-great judgement calls you could be tempted to make this winter, and how to talk yourself out of them: "I have all-season tires, and my car is running fine. I don't need to rush in for a winter checkup" don't be so sure: Your vehicle feels the onset of winter well before the snow arrives. Dropping temperatures affect your battery, fluids and even the air pressure in your tires. Testing your battery for charge, switching to synthetic motor oil for engine efficiency and optimizing the air pressure in your tires for good handling and traction are just a few things that help ensure a safe winter ride. And it doesn't hurt to switch to winter tires (especially if you drive in rural areas) before the first snowfall, when temperatures drop below –7 C. "This isn't my first time driving in winter. I know where I'm going and I know the shortcuts, so I won't need extra time." C'mon, you know better: Each time you go out, it's a new journey, no matter your level of experience. "Your 20-minute drive to work could take 30 or 40 minutes, or more, in winter," says Rick Lang of AMA Driver Education. You could encounter cautious new drivers, snowplows, stalled vehicles – all leading to delays. Prepare yourself mentally by anticipating delays and allowing extra time before you set out. And do yourself p40-41_Elements Winter Driving.indd 41 another favour: check current road conditions and plan your route in advance using AMA Road Reports. "I drive an SUV, so I don't need to worry about snow or ice on the highway. I can get through anything." think again: Just because your vehicle is heftier than others, or has fourwheel drive, that doesn't mean it can handle higher speeds on snow and ice. "I see a large number of SUVs and 4x4s in ditches after every snowstorm because drivers overestimate what their vehicles can do," says Lang. When a driver feels his or her vehicle sliding, the tendency is to panic and hit the brakes. And because that big SUV is heavier than the average passenger vehicle, you'll be skidding with more mass behind you, making it tougher to come to a safe stop. Regardless of your vehicle's size, drive at a speed appropriate for conditions – which may be well under the speed limit if the roads are slick. W AMA service vehicle operator Martin Selezinka: "As soon as the temperature drops, AMA gets more calls for boosts. Those vehicles would have started just fine if they'd been plugged in. When the temperature dips to –15 C, that's the time to plug in." AMA will test your battery for free and replace it if necessary. 1-800-CAA-HELP (ask for the CAA Battery Service) w i n t e r 2 0 13 | w e s t w o r l d A l b e r t a 41 13-10-15 9:57 AM