Winter Driving Tips
New driving technologies make winter driving more safe.
Several new driving technologies help make wet and snowy winter driving more safe and certainly more enjoyable including AWD, ABS and stability control.
When it comes to wet and snowy winter driving, what do you need to know when buying a car? John Heider, a vehicle dynamics manager with Ford Motor Company, says his job is to study suspension systems in all kinds of weather.
"We are the guys that spend lots of times driving on public roads and motor speedways, testing out shock absorbers, tires and steering performance," says Heider.
He says tires are the first thing to think about when it comes to winter driving. "All (Ford) cars are sold with all-season tires," he says. "All-season tires perform well in dry, wet and snow conditions." However, he says, snow tires really do help driving performance.
The next biggest factor for winter driving is all-wheel drive (AWD). "AWD vehicles are clearly the best for wet and snowy conditions, followed by front and then rear drive, says Heider.
AWD, he explains, is a tremendous help in accelerating the vehicle. However, AWD does not help in stopping. "Clearly, advanced braking systems (ABS) is a big advantage for stopping a vehicle." In wet and snow conditions, he says, drivers have to let the ABS system function. "The vehicle just stops quicker with ABS. It's a great technology for any surface."
Stability control is another great technology for winter driving, says Heider. "I think stability controls is a safety technology as important as safety belts," he says, claiming Ford has more vehicles installed with stability control than any other car manufacturer.
In a nutshell, stability control straightens the vehicle during an emergency sliding situation. "When the car starts sliding and the rear comes around, stability control applies the brake on the different corners of the vehicle to straighten it out," says Heider. "You'll drop some speed, but the vehicle is going to be straight again."
Quite honestly, says Heider, the best thing to do while driving in bad winter weather is to slow down. "It's the safest way to drive," he says.
Heider claims Ford offers the most vehicles with AWD, including: Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan, Ford Zephyr, Lincoln MKX, Ford Edge, Mercury Montego and all other crossover SUVs.
