First winter by car: tips for young drivers

The lack of practical experience of drivers who have recently taken the wheel is most pronounced in the cold season, when the weather and temperature are variable. Even light rain at temperatures around zero can turn a trip into a serious challenge. Therefore, beginners should be as careful as possible while driving.

Simple recommendations from AutoOboz will help make a car trip safe and comfortable even for drivers with little experience.

You can never have too much practice

Whatever the results of the driving test, a novice driver should understand that he or she has only received a basic set of skills for driving in favorable conditions. So it's a good idea to improve these skills. To do this, you can find an empty asphalt pavement and try your hand at various exercises. For example, in a snowfall, you can safely test the car's behavior during braking and sharp maneuvers. In a real situation, practiced movements at the level of muscle memory and a good sense of the car will help you avoid an accident. It is also worth considering additional courses that will show you how to react to skids and other unusual situations on the road.

Safe speed

At the first sign of precipitation, if the temperature is around zero or below, it is important not to overdo it with the gas pedal. A thin film of water on the asphalt can turn into an ice rink in five minutes. On country roads in the rain and snow, it's a good idea to slow down periodically to understand how the car behaves and how good the wheel grip is. This should be done when there are no other road users in the immediate vicinity. If the wheels lock up or the ABS system is activated during light braking, you need to release the accelerator, slow down significantly and find the safe limit when the brakes remain effective.

On the track

On a snowy road, a rut is quickly formed by the vehicle. This is the safest trajectory, as it allows you to see the condition of the asphalt - ice formation is possible. When overtaking on a virgin snowy road, you should only be sure that the maneuver is safe.

Danger of slush at night

The flow of traffic heats the snow on the asphalt. As a result, it melts and mixes with ice, causing slush. As long as this mud is liquid, it is relatively safe to drive. But late in the evening, there are fewer cars, and the temperature drops below freezing, and the slush sometimes turns into an uneven crust of ice, which changes the tire's contact patch with the road in unpredictable ways. Therefore, it is important to keep a close eye on the road conditions and reduce your speed whenever possible.

Good visibility in all conditions

Don't forget to change the summer washer fluid to winter fluid before the onset of frost. It's important to keep an eye on the fluid level, as consumption is significantly higher during the cold season. Check the quality of the windshield wipers and replace them with new ones if necessary. Also, make sure that all the lights are in good working order and provide good visibility of both your car and everything that is happening on the road.