Winter Driving - Tips and advice for a Canadian Winter
Winter tire test: Michelin X-Ice Xi2 Michelin invited CarTalkCanada editor James Bergeron to compare its new X-Ice Xi2 winter tires against major competitors when driving on ice and snow. Find out which tires he liked the best.
Winter tire time Don't wait for the snow to fall before installing winter tires, says Technical Editor Jim Kerr. Below seven degrees C, "winter tires quickly begin to outperform other types of tires...on cold road surfaces."
Battery life In the winter, vehicle battery power is restricted by cold outside temperatures, says Technical Editor, Jim Kerr. Ensuring that your battery is fully charged and capable of delivering all its power will help prevent some unpleasant surprises, he says.
Winter tire test: Bridgestone Blizzak WS60 It's minus 37 with the wind chill in Winnipeg, and contributor Haney Louka, who lives there, has been driving his Mazda6 wagon on a set of Blizzak WS60 snow tires all winter. Find out how the Blizzaks performed by clicking here.
Winter wonderland Winter snowstorms can be more than just annoying for drivers, says lawyer Jordan Charness. "Snow-covered vehicles are easy prey for accidental clipping by snow removal vehicles," he notes. Who's responsible for the damage? Legally, they are, he says.
Winter survival "Every year a few people die in Canada because their car broke down and they failed to follow even the most basic winter survival rules," notes lawyer Jordan W. Charness. Check out his basic survival tips for stranded motorists.
Hybrids in winter Driving a Lexus GS450h Hybrid sedan in minus 30 degree weather, Technical Editor Jim Kerr found "fuel economy wasn't as good in the winter as it was in the summer," but the driving experience "was no different that driving any other vehicle."
Heater woes Aside from the fact that's it's really cold outside right now, there are many reasons why your car's heater might not be working as well this winter. Technical Editor Jim Kerr looks at the possibilities.
Keeping your car on the road in winter Winter tires should be purchased in sets of four, but if you must purchase only two winter tires, always install them on the rear of the vehicle, says Technical Editor, Jim Kerr. Otherwise the vehicle might spin out.
Driving in winter It's important to adjust your driving habits to slippery winter conditions because it is illegal to "drive in any manner that might put any member of the public in danger," says lawyer, Jordan W. Charness.
Should snow tires be mandatory in winter? A proposal to make snow tires mandatory in winter is "a law that is better in theory than in practice and one that should be put back on the back burner where it belongs," says lawyer, Jordan W. Charness.
Feature: Interview - Richard Spenard Race-driver Richard Spenard says most Canadians aren't fully aware of the safety benefits of winter tires. In an exclusive interview with Contributing Editor, Chris Chase, Spenard explains what you need to know.
Feature: Slipping and sliding at the Bridgestone Winter Driving School Few people enjoy driving on slippery roads, but it's a fact of life in most of Canada. Assistant Editor Jil McIntosh travels to Colorado to learn under the worst possible conditions: a little bit of snow on top of a lot of ice, where she learns that you really can teach a veteran driver some new tricks.
Vehicle control on snowy roads If a vehicle is out of control and you try to steer it back onto the road quickly when deep snow is pulling the vehicle into the ditch, you stand a good chance of rolling. The vehicle slides sideways, the tires dig into the snow and BANG - over you go. The right driving techniques will help prevent these rollovers.
Keeping your car on the road in winter Winter tires should be purchased in sets of four, but if you must purchase only two winter tires, always install them on the rear of the vehicle, says Technical Editor, Jim Kerr. Otherwise the vehicle might spin out.
Frozen cars and trucks Vehicles get dirty, and no one likes to drive a dirty vehicle. That's why car washes do such a good business.But how do you keep your vehicle clean in winter?
