01/16/2024
My friends of the South, if you have to drive during icy conditions over the next few days please read this. Especially if you are not used to driving in said conditions.
Accelerate slowly, don't jab the brakes and plan ahead. Braking under icy conditions can take, if you are Lucky, twice the distance versus if it were just wet. If you are unlucky, then your vehicle will come to a complete stop once it hits that light pole on the other side of the intersection. Going a little under the speed limit is not a bad idea.
Here are a few misconceptions about driving in icy conditions, and more specifically on black ice.
"I'll be fine because I have All Wheel Drive."
Just No. Black ice does NOT care about your AWD. It will make you skid out just as easily as any 2WD vehicle, especially if you are already in motion or trying to turn/brake. Momentum is your enemy here, slow and steady wins the race.
"I'll be fine because I have All Season Tires"
Honestly there should be a class action lawsuit against any company that uses the phrase "All Season Tires", because unless you live by the equator, they aren't. They are Three season tires at best. Snow tires, especially with studs, are the only type of tire that will help you in icy conditions. That's it. No other tires. The reason being that once the temperature hits the mid 40's, your "All Season Tires" are going to harden up. Harder Tires on Hard Ice = Slip N' Slide which is fun in an abandoned parking lot, but that's about it.
Also, a 2WD vehicle with snow tires will beat the pants off an AWD vehicle with All Season Tires in virtually any comparison involving snow or ice. I think the big question here is why the AWD was wearing pants to begin with, but no one knows the answer to that and the outcome will be the same every time.
If you feel the need to disagree and tell me about your personal life experience and how you bested a 2WD car with snow tires on during a drag race while you were in your AWD with slicks that one time back when you were in college, just stop. I will embarrass the crap out of you with videos showing everyone you know that isn't possible and then you'll just look dumb.
Lastly, be sure to check your tire pressure at some point, the cold air is going to sap some of the psi out of them.
Be safe everyone!
