The onset of winter here in the Hudson, IA region means that drivers will need to get reacquainted with driving through snow, slush, and ice. If this is your first winter driving in snow, it helps to be behind the wheel of a high-tech Ford car that is equipped with features like Ford drive modes that aid with snow driving.
Even with these features, it’s important to understand the basics of driving in inclement conditions. Here are some helpful tips from the team at Bill Colwell Ford.
Utilize Ford Drive Modes
The majority of new Ford cars, such as the Ford F-150, come standard with multiple Ford drive modes that optimize your driving experience over a variety of road conditions. This includes a snow and sand mode which will adjust settings like:
- Traction control
- Steering
- All-wheel drive
- Pedal response
Drive Smoothly
One key to driving safely in snow is being smooth with the accelerator, brakes, and steering wheel. Jerky, quick movements with the controls easily unstick tires that have a tenuous grip on the slippery road, so be sure to be deliberate.
Anticipate Your Maneuvers
The snowier it gets, the further down the road you should look and the further ahead you should plan. If you have a turn coming up, start to apply the brakes earlier than you would if the road were dry. Allow triple the stopping distance on snow and even more on ice.
How to Deal with Skips
A time may come where you find yourself hitting a slick spot and skidding in the opposite direction of where you want to be heading. When this happens, don’t panic and don’t slam on the brakes. Instead, when the front tires lose grip, ease off the gas and aim where you want to go as your traction returns.
For more snow driving tips or to test drive a model with Ford drive modes, talk to a friendly dealer here at Bill Colwell Ford.
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