Ten Absurd Winter Driving Myths That Need To Die

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If any self proclaimed "expert" tries to tell you any of these are true, block your ears and slowly back away.


10.) ABS Means You Can Brake Like Normal

ABS is great, but it won't make you impervious to skidding. If there's snow and/or ice on the ground, brake early and often.

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9.) You Don't Need To Scrape The Snow Off The Top Of Your Car

You may think that you just need to scrape off the glass, and you'd be wrong. You'll realize this the first time you have to come to a quick stop.

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8.) People From The North Know How To Drive In The Snow

One would think they would, given the fact that they get so much more snow, but I can tell you from experience, they don't. They're just slightly better at it than everyone else.

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7.) For Better Traction, Under Inflate Tires

Taking air out of your tires will give you a wider contact patch which can sometimes help, but more often than not you actually want skinny tires for snow.

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The guys from Car Talk have an excellent explanation about this.

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6.) Rear Wheel Drive Is Worthless In The Snow

A rear wheel drive car fitted with proper snow tires, in the hands of a good driver is as good as anything else in the snow.

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Plus, snow donuts aren't going to do themselves.

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5.) SUVs/Crossovers Are Automatically Better In The Snow

Four/All Wheel Drive and increased ride height don't make your car magically great in the snow. Those things are great if you're off roading and conditions are bad, but on your commute to the office? Not any better than anything else.

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4.) You Don't Need To Let Your Car Warm Up Anymore

Don't believe any of the bullshit going around Facebook. Warm up your damn car if it's cold.

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3.) You Don't Need Winter Tires

Putting a good set of winter tires on your car is the simplest and most cost effective way of making it better in the snow. A good set of all seasons will do the job, and a good set of winter tires is even better.

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Don't try driving on that fancy set of low-profile, summer tires in the snow.

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2.) All Wheel Drive Makes You Indestructible

With good tires and good technique, all wheel drive is excellent. With crappy drivers and/or crappy tires, it's as useless as anything else.

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Simply having AWD doesn't make your car impervious to all weather conditions.

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1.) Your Car Can Handle It All For You

You can have the best Range Rover, with the best snow tires money can buy and it doesn't mean shit if you don't think to leave sufficient stopping room ahead of you, watch for black ice, smooth out your controls at the wheel.

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It's not the wand, it's the magician.

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