Do You Know How to Use All-Wheel Drive the Right Way?

How Do You Drive With AWD in Snow?

In the last 20 years, the explosion in crossover SUV options combined with the prevalence of all-wheel drive has really benefitted drivers. This combination gives more people better options for dealing with snowy and icy roads. However, there are still many misunderstandings about how people should drive with all-wheel drive in the snow. Having all four wheels turn doesn’t create a magical scenario that outperforms physics. Our team put together a few tips that will help them be safer and more confident. 

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Bad Weather Driving Tips for All-Wheel Drive

We cannot overstate that even when a vehicle is equipped with all-wheel drive, the person behind the steering wheel needs to exercise caution. There is no winter tire nor any traction control system that will instantly stop a vehicle on an icy road. The following tips will help people get the most out of their properly equipped vehicle.

• Get Winter Tires: Skipping winter tires really puts drivers into an unnecessarily difficult situation. Every safety study shows how effective snow tires are for handling slippery conditions.
• Smooth Inputs: Drivers should avoid hard acceleration, hard braking and aggressive steering to avoid losing control.
• Drive Slower: Keep speeds modest to maintain control, especially if traffic is closer together.
• Avoid Cruise Control: Using cruise control makes it more difficult to handle a phenomenon like black ice that could be additionally hazardous. 

Getting Your Car Ready Before Leaving Home

Before leaving the house, drivers need to do a few additional things. First, they must clear the front and rear windshields of ice and snow. They must also ensure that the headlights, daytime running lights, and taillights are not blocked by snow or ice. These steps are crucial for helping other cars see them while on the road.

Davey Auto Sales has one of the area’s most experienced teams in helping people find pre-owned vehicles and get the most out of their purchases. If there is anything we can do to help you find a safe and reliable pre-owned vehicle, make an appointment with one of our product experts today.