Repsol YPF

Driving in bad weather

Winter is a time of cold and dark and so why the car is used much more: to avoid the rain, the cold or walking in the dark. However, rain, snow, ice, wind or fog can become a driver`s worst enemy if they do not know how to drive in these testing conditions. Any safety measure is always too little to avoid problems damage and injuries. 

If the weather is bad before setting off decide whether the trip is really necessary and if it isn`t the best thing to do is to forget about it, above all if you are not used to driving in bad weather or at night. But if you have to travel you are advised to get all the information you can beforehand about the state of the roads and the weather forecast. 

Before setting off check the car: test the brakes and the tyres – the pressure and tread – the liquids (brakes, engine, wipers) and add anti-freeze so that you do not lose any performance... and make sure that you carry everything necessary for the vehicle: reflecting jacket and warning triangles if you have to stop the car on the road and above all the chains. 

It is a good idea to travel with warm clothing and a mobile telephone with its corresponding charger in case the battery runs down and you have to make a call. Another essential thing to do is to fill the tank: the weight of the fuel makes the car more stable in difficult conditions, and is a guarantee that the heating can be used. 

Once on the road the most important thing is to see and be seen, so switch on your dipped lights. When driving in fog never use full beam (the reflection from the suspended raindrops worsens the level of visibility) although you can use the fog lights at the front and if very dense those at the rear too.

Moreover, you have to driver more slowly and move the steering wheel more gently, as well as increasing the distance from the car in front so that there is more space if you slide or have to brake suddenly. And speaking of braking this is when you have to be extra careful. The engine should be used as much as possible to slow the car down and the brakes should be used very gently. 

Referring to chains, it is necessary to mount them before the trip so that you know how to use them and that they fit. Afterwards, when you have to use them, they must be put on the drive wheels and taken off when the snow is no longer on the road. 

When driving in bad weather take special care when making manoeuvres, especially when overtaking. Before doing so first make sure that there is enough space and increase the usual distance with respect to the other vehicles. 

Another aspect to take into account are tunnels and underpasses. When entering and leaving hold the wheel firmly so that you do not lose control at this crucial moment. Ice can also create dangerous situations in tunnels, since it forms and stays in zones that sunlight does not reach, so take extra precautions. 

Excess water on the asphalt causes risky situations, the most usual is aquaplaning. This is when the tyre cannot remove the water between the raod and the tread fast enough so the tyres lose contact with the asphalt. What you have to do is: release the accelerator pedal gently and hold the steering wheel steadily, avoid sudden braking and accelerating strongly.