Winter Driving Tips

Before Heading to Snow Country

When you’re heading towards Truckee, winter driving on roads and highways in the mountains of California can be a great adventure or it can be frustrating and even dangerous. Following are a few tips to help make your winter driving safe and pleasant.

• Check your systems. Make sure brakes, windshield wipers, defroster, heater and exhaust systems are all in top working condition.
• Check your antifreeze. You may want to add special solvent to your windshield washer reservoir to prevent ice from forming.
• Check your tires. It important that your tires have good tread and that they are properly inflated. Make sure you carry chains and also make sure they fit your tires! Chains must always be installed on drive wheels so make sure you know if your car is front or rear wheel drive!
• Bring along a few necessities. It is a good idea to take along water, food, blankets and extra clothing. If you get stuck in a long delay, you will be happy to have a few of the necessities with you.
• Weather can change your route. In case you find yourself in an unexpected detour, bring along updated maps of the areas you are traveling. If you have a cell phone, pre-load the Cal Trans Highway Information Network number for road updates. The CHIN number is 1-800-427-7623.
• Have a spare key. It is surprising how many people lock themselves out of their cars when they are putting on chains. Have a spare key in your pocket or hidden in a safe place on your car.
• Allow enough time. Get an early start and allow plenty of time to get where you are going. Mountain driving, in the winter, can take more time than other times of the year.
• Keep your gas tank full. You never know when you might get caught in a traffic delay, change routes or turn back during a storm. Make sure you have plenty of gas.
• Keep windows and windshield clear. Use the car defroster and a clean cloth to keep the windows free of moisture. You should pull over, at a safe rest stop, to brush snow from your car or scrape the windows with an ice scraper.

A Quick Course-Chains 101

• Chain requirements.

  *R1: Chains, traction devices or snow tires are required on drive axle of all vehicles except four wheel or all wheel drives. 
  *R2: Chains or traction devices are required on all vehicles except four wheel or all wheel drive vehicles with snow tires on all four wheels.
  *R3: Chains or traction devices are required on all vehicles, no exceptions.

• Chain controls. You must stop and put on chains when highway signs indicate that chains are required. You can be cited by the CHP and fined if you don’t.
• Control areas. You will usually have about a mile between the “Chains Required” sign and the checkpoint to install your chains. Always pull completely off the roadway to the right. Do not stop in a traffic lane where you will endanger yourself and block traffic.
• Chain installers. If you use a chain installer, be sure to get a receipt and jot down the installer’s badge number. Chain installers cannot sell or rent chains.
• Removing chains. When removing chains, drive beyond the signs reading “End of Chain Controls”. Drive to a pull over area where you can safely remove your chains.

Driving in the Snow

How to stop skidding. Slamming on brakes during a skid locks the wheels, causes loss of traction and increases the skid. Steer in the direction of the rear end of the car. As the car begins to straighten, straighten the front wheels too. When you are headed in the right direction, either lightly pump your brakes or gently accelerate.

• Avoid over steering. Turning the wheel too far whips the rear end into a skid in the opposite direction. Keep car in gear. This helps reduce speed and provides maximum control.
• Don’t use cruise control or get over confident with 4 x 4 vehicles. Your four wheel drive may get you going quicker but it won’t stop any faster. Because of their weight, 4 x 4’s usually take longer to stop. A 4 x 4 can loose traction as easily as a two wheel drive car.
• Don’t pump anti-lock brakes. If your car is equipped with anti-lock brakes, do not pump the brakes while stopping. The right way is to “brake and steer”.

Don’t hurry. In dry weather 65 mph might seem safe but in snow and ice it is an invitation for trouble. Snow and ice make stopping distances much longer, so leave more distance between you and the other car. Avoid sudden stops and quick turns. Wear your seatbelt!