Rain How to avoid aquaplaning
Snow The alternative to chains
Safety Winter Driving Tips
The cold of these days does not go away, the frosts will intensify these days in a good part of the Peninsula, according to the weather reports.
Our car fits the punishment of night ice if you sleep outdoors.
We will find it in the morning with a more or less thin layer covering the windshield.
You can't see anything, you have to remove it.
And, snow, ice or just cold
, you will have to fight against the
steam
that sticks to the glass areas of the car.
Or take care of critical safety issues like
tires
.
Of all this we want to give the main
advice
in this article.
Ice
Better to start with what
YOU SHOULD NOT DO
under any circumstances: lower a bottle full of hot water to the sidewalk and pour the liquid on the glass.
That water will also quickly turn to ice, although at first it seems that visibility has improved.
As soon as we start the car, we will see that this is not the case: it is extremely dangerous to drive without seeing practically anything, even if we
think we can see in the shadows
.
And in addition, the temperature contrast can cause the
windshield to fracture
.
Another thing is to carry
96º alcohol
, mixed with
a third of water
, or hydroalcoholic gels that do contain
properties to undo
icy plaques.
It is also not advisable to
turn on the heating or air conditioning suddenly
, because with the engine cold (close to freezing) it will take a long time to heat up the environment and what will come out of the slots will be cold air. Better
to start the car and keep it idling patiently until the engine reaches temperature
. Then it is time for the air to warm the moons and ourselves. And yes, you can operate the windscreen wiper control as
long as the fluid reservoir contains appropriate antifreeze
and not just plain water.
A scraper for the purpose will help to remove the layer of ice on the windows. A plastic card
, one of those loyalty
cards
that you never use or an expired one, is a good ally for this task.
And
with good gloves
, much better.
Another classic mistake
: scraping the snow off
a section of the glass, like a skylight the driver can see through.
But in reality, you lose almost all of the optimal viewing area if the far half of the windshield is frosted, as are
the side windows and outside mirrors
.
Using the windshield wipers when the moon is covered with ice is of little use or is directly counterproductive, since
the blades will not be able to drag the icy layer and will deteriorate due to friction
.
In anticipation mode, after parking the car to spend a few hours in the serene, it is advisable to
separate the wiper blades from the surface of the windshield
.
As prevention is better,
covering the windshield with cardboard the evening before
is an easy solution that does not damage
the windscreen
or the wiper blades.
Mist
Since we've already managed to defrost the windows, we can drive.
Although another obstacle can assail us: steam
.
Our own body, hot, in contrast to the coldness of the crystals, will make it easier for them to fog up quickly.
Again, visibility is closed and the danger of driving is maximum.
You have to look for solutions
.
The first is not to get into the car directly and close the doors and windows.
The humidity that we give off when we breathe opaque all the windows of the vehicle.
Therefore, we will have to open the windows, at least four fingers, so that the cold outside neutralizes the heat of our body and our breath.
With the engine running, a couple of minutes may be enough to press the button of the anti-fog system that cars have except those that are decades old.
The external air intake must be left open and the air recirculation button must not be pressed only in the passenger compartment.
The air on the windshield and the possibility of the heated rear window will clear the panorama and we will be able to drive more safely.
What if it rains?
By way of anticipation, there are many tricks. You may have heard some of them, like the classic one of rubbing the inside of the glass with a raw potato (cut in half). The starch contained in this tuber protects against moisture and prevents the windows from fogging up. There are other lesser-known and surprising tricks, such as filling a rag or sock with
kitty litter and leaving it under the seat so that the silica it contains neutralizes moisture
.
Rain is also an impediment to optimal driver visibility.
Poor visibility causes 15% of accidents and driving rain is a less transparent obstacle than it seems to the naked eye.
The safety guide published by Fesvial Fesvial Guide recommends using an anti-rain treatment (hydrophobic) that prevents the adherence of drops on the windshield and is especially beneficial when driving at night.
tires
Taking care of all these aspects can be vital. But in addition, it is necessary to check, especially before a long trip, but also periodically, the mechanical and material conditions of the car.
Among them, a fundamental aspect is the tires that keep us on the asphalt, which can prevent aquaplaning or avoid, together with caution at the wheel, ice sheets
.
For this, winter tires are recommended,
a comfortable and safe substitute for traditional chains
, which have more drawbacks. They are essential if you travel to high altitude places, ski resorts or any high mountain environment. They can be all-weather (four seasons) or winter-specific. These are more effective at temperatures below 7ºC, as the
Tire Manufacturers Association (Afane) explains
: "It doesn't have to snow to be able to use them and make driving safer."
Winter tires use a softer and more flexible compound than conventional tires, thanks to a higher silica content (we have already explained its anti-moisture properties).
Standard tire compound hardens below 7°C and loses its grip properties
.
Certified winter tires offer better ability to start a vehicle's motion (traction), maintain the path (grip), or stop motion (braking) than a standard tire.
And not only with dry asphalt and low temperatures, but also when the road is wet, when it rains, or when there is snow or ice.
The tread pattern on the certified winter tire is shorter and deeper, ensuring maximum water evacuation capacity.
Conforms to The Trust Project criteria
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