All articles tagged with #winter driving
Governor Ned Lamont advises Connecticut motorists to avoid travel on Friday evening due to a forecasted snowstorm expected to bring 6 to 12 inches of snow, with heavy snowfall rates, urging caution, early travel, and giving snowplow crews space to work for safety.
Lamborghini's winter driving academy on a frozen lake in Canada provided valuable lessons on traction control and electronic stability control, showcasing the importance of these driver aids in modern supercars. The event demonstrated how electronic aids help drivers maintain control in challenging conditions, allowing them to experience understeer and oversteer in a controlled environment. The use of traction control and electronic stability control in Lamborghini's product range has evolved to ensure safety and performance, enabling supercars to navigate winter conditions with confidence.
Cold weather can significantly affect the performance and range of electric vehicles (EVs), with some models experiencing a 10-30% reduction in range during winter. To mitigate these effects, drivers can park in covered areas, pre-heat the car's cabin while charging, use heated seats and steering wheel instead of heating the entire car, and ensure proper tire inflation. EVs generally handle well in snow due to their front-wheel or all-wheel drive and low center of gravity, but drivers should still exercise caution and consider using winter or all-season tires for improved traction.
The Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation deploys salt spreaders to combat winter weather, but road salts can lead to rust damage and corrosion of brake and fuel lines in vehicles. To prevent damage, drivers are advised to wash and wax their cars before winter, avoid driving during or after storms, wash their cars regularly, and pay attention to warning signs such as dashboard lights, spongy brakes, and unusual odors. Regular car washes, especially after snowstorms, and prompt attention to warning signs can help prevent costly repairs caused by road salts.
Frigid temperatures are causing challenges for electric vehicle (EV) owners, as cold weather can significantly impact battery efficiency and driving range. The chemical reactions within EV batteries slow down in cold temperatures, reducing storage and available power, while warming the cabin also drains energy from the battery. To mitigate these issues, EV owners are advised to precondition their vehicles, warm them while plugged in, and consider adding a heat pump to maintain efficiency in cold weather.
As freezing temperatures grip the U.S., experts at AAA advise against letting your car idle for too long before driving, suggesting that driving normally warms the engine faster and reduces wear. J.D. Power provides tips for starting a car in cold weather, including warming up the battery and checking antifreeze levels. AAA recommends starting and driving your car for at least 30 minutes once a week to maintain the battery's life, and offers additional winter weather safety tips such as checking battery and charging systems, avoiding using cruise control in icy conditions, and ensuring proper visibility and traction.
Tennessee Department of Transportation crews are working to clear roads after a record snowfall in the Nashville area, with interstates passable and some lanes clear. Neighborhood streets remain snowy and slippery, prompting advisories to drive slowly if travel is necessary. TDOT has relocated hundreds of vehicles and warns of worsening road conditions due to freezing temperatures. The Nashville Department of Transportation continues to plow and treat primary and secondary routes, while cautioning about black ice and extreme cold temperatures. Winter driving safety tips are provided, including clearing snow off vehicles, slowing down, and avoiding excessive actions while driving.
Icy roads in the Kansas City metro area have led to numerous crashes and road closures, prompting officials to urge drivers to exercise caution. Multiple crashes have been reported on various highways, with some lanes being closed as a result. Motorists are advised to stay updated on live traffic conditions and to avoid affected roadways.
Michigan State Police attribute the recent massive pileups on I-94 and I-96 to risky driver behavior rather than weather conditions. Drivers were driving too fast and too closely, not allowing themselves enough space and time to control their vehicles. Although road crews did their part in salting the roads, drivers need to take responsibility for their actions. As winter continues, AAA advises drivers to stay home if possible, drive slowly, accelerate and decelerate slowly, increase following distance, and understand how to use their brakes effectively.
The Colorado Department of Transportation is urging drivers to prepare their vehicles for winter driving conditions, as December historically sees the most crashes along the Interstate 70 corridor. Traction law violations were responsible for 26% of last December's crashes, resulting in nearly 288 hours of lane closures. Colorado traction laws require drivers to have 3/16-inch tire tread and either all-wheel or four-wheel drive vehicles, winter tires, mud and snow tires, or tires with an all-weather rating. Drivers are advised to check their tires, windshield wipers, and fluid levels before heading out in winter conditions.
The Washington State Department of Transportation has issued a warning about upcoming road closures in Leavenworth, where the 'Village of Lights' festivities are taking place. To manage the expected heavy traffic, some turns on US 2 will be restricted on December 9 and 16, and a few local roads will be closed. Travelers are also advised to be prepared for winter driving conditions and longer travel times due to significant snowfall expected in the Cascades and lowlands.
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) is urging drivers to exercise caution and be prepared for heavy snowfall in the coming days. PennDOT's plow trucks and drivers are ready to clear the roads, but drivers should be alert for sudden squalls and whiteout conditions. Falling temperatures and drifting snow can create icy patches, especially on bridges and overpasses. PennDOT advises drivers to slow down, use headlights, and maintain a safe following distance. They also recommend packing an emergency kit with essential items in case of any unforeseen circumstances.
A YouTuber has created a clever engineering video using a Lego car to demonstrate the basics of winter driving. The video explores various automotive designs and modifications that impact traction on slippery surfaces. It highlights the importance of weight distribution, all-wheel drive systems, wider tires, and even unconventional designs like a six-legged walker and a tracked vehicle. While the video doesn't cover the value of proper tires and tire chains, it emphasizes the skill and finesse required to drive safely in icy conditions.