Propickup Digital Magazine
Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/173151
101 If you decelerate or brake suddenly or harshly, weight transfer will occur in a corresponding manner. Decelerate or brake smoothly and progressively, weight transfer will follow suit. Keeping vehicle control in winter driving conditions requires smooth, progressive transitions. Drive like you have the proverbial raw eggs under your feet; light throttle, light brake, light steering inputs. For example, if you slow down abruptly approaching a curve, the weight will abruptly shift to the front tires. Not good because on snow the front tires can grip, lose all grip, or a combination thereof while that abrupt weight transfer will unload the rear wheels. The result is very likely to be a snap "over-steer" situation, where the rear of the truck suddenly swings out. (This effect can be further aggravated by limited-slip of locking rear differentials.) Now you are forced to control your truck with a quick correction. If that correction is too much, too late or both, rebound oversteer will occur and the loss of control continues downhill so to speak. PLAN AHEAD, WAY AHEAD In addition to being a smooth driver, focusing far enough ahead so you can plan and make the needed braking and steering adjustments in time are key to safe winter driving. If you do this, your vehicle's weight transfer and speed adjustment will happen more slowly and thus be more precise and predictable. Although the grip will still increase at the front wheels and decrease at the rear wheels under braking, it will happen in a lineal and predictable fashion, almost as if the weight transfer is occurring in slow motion. Timing and controlling weight transfer are also critical when you exit a corner, especially on low grip surfaces. One of the most common problems affecting weight transfer in cornering occurs when you accelerate too soon. When the front tires are even close to their grip limit, the slightest amount of early acceleration will unload the front wheels and severely reduce your steering effectiveness. This is the dreaded "understeer." To get back steering control in an understeer situation, straighten the wheel (reduce the steering angle). Turning sharper only makes the lack of steering worse. So as the road ice up this winter, slow down, plan ahead, and be a smooth operator. It'll pay big dividends. ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Mark Cox is the director of The Center for Driving Sciences in Steamboat Springs, Co.., and a professional Rally driver. He's also the lead instructor and head of the Bridgestone Winter Driving School; 800-WHY-SKID. Being a good winter driver takes patience behnd the wheell and vision down the road. It also helps to have the right tires on your vehicle. Prefrably snow tires. propickupmag.com PROPICKUP 39 PP1013_Snow Driving Tips.indd 39 9/9/13 2:00 PM