Volkswagen has offered advice on how to get your vehicle ready to drive in snowy, cold conditions. Find here Volkwagen’s tips and tricks for winter driving.
Volkswagen Test and Development Driver Benjamin Leuchter and Head Trainer Peter Bunke shared their driving experience in winter – their tips and tricks, so to say, of reasonable riding and avoiding risks on the road in the snow season.
1. Before hitting the road, remove ice and snow from all windows (a windshield and others), as well from headlights, a roof, license plates, and headlights: any snow and ice that could hinder traveling and block the view.
2. Use high-quality winter tires in snowy conditions. Such tires are specially designed to improve the performance of the vehicle on snow and ice. It is also important to check and set the tire pressures to recommended levels, as in cold temperatures tire pressure may drop.
3. To better visibility, use washer fluids formulated to perform well in cold. To remove moisture from the air in the cabin and to avoid fogging the windshield, activate your car’s heater and air conditioner.
4. Check the level of your engine coolant and antifreeze mixture.
5. Under a heavy load in low temperatures, the car battery can be strained, so, be attentive to the battery life and have a battery charger at hand.
6. Don’t start and immediately drive a car at high speeds or at high rpm in low temperatures or after the vehicle has been parked for a long time. Drive at lower speeds and rpm for the first few miles to allow the car engine to warm up.
7. Stopping distances may increase in winter, so don’t use cruise control systems and enlarge the distance between your car and the vehicle in front of you. No quick acceleration, sudden braking, or aggressive steering – just smooth and controlled actions!
8. Use ECO mode in cars with drive mode selection or Comfort mode in vehicles with Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC).
9. In a skid, steer into the direction of the skid, if the vehicle is oversteering, and the rear wheels are sliding to the outside of the turn. Accelerate VERY carefully, if the car is understeering, and the front wheels are sliding to the outside of a turn.
10. Drive at lower speeds and rpm in slippery conditions to reduce wheel spin and sliding, and to dispense with the intervention of assist systems.
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