Newbie Winter Driving tips?

[PinkSander]

Okay so lets say hypothetically I want my license now. That I don't want to wait for the snow to melt. Remember I'm in Michigan. Is it better to learn on snowy roads, or start on nice smooth spring and summer roads? Also, if I do start on snowy roads, any tips?

[HEVY]

I would learn when the weather is good only because you need the experience on the road to learn all the tricks of driving in the snow. You need to be comfortable as well when you're learning to drive. Snow driving is extremely stressful, as least it is for me. Personally I feel if you don't have a nice heavy car with really good snow tires you should avoid driving in the snow.

BTW your DD is real cute, love the first pic.

[beeman]

Have you done any driving at all on dry roads? Are you a complete green newbie, or do you have light experience. If you have any experience whatsoever and are not scared of driving, I'd say go out and do it. Just remember the vehicle reacts better to gentle, deliberate moves, rather than fast jerky moves. Smooth is the name of the game. Allow longer than necessary stopping and following distances. Remember intersections tend to be slipperier than the rest of the road, so a slippery intersection can catch you by surprise. Always assume the intersection is icy and allow appropriate stop time. Winter tires are another absolute must, as they will allow you better control of the vehicle, and are less likely to skid. A couple of hours with a professional driving instructor would be a valuable asset, as they can quickly identify areas you are struggling with, and offer advice on how to correct them.

[Shanora]

good thing to remember is that if you start to skid or spin out, take your foot off the petals. Don't step on the gas or the breaks, neither one works in this situation. If you can remember, drop it into neutral (you can just push the gear shifter into neural, you don't actually have to try and put it there.....its one of the only gears you can just push the shifter into) as this will cut ALL power to your tires and will help you gain control quicker. Also turn your steering wheel towards the direction you want to be facing. For example if you start to skid to the left, and you actually need to be going right, turn your wheels to the right (don't over steer though), keep doing the counter turning until you get your vehicle righted, or you stop, cause you shouldn't have your foot on the gas or break at this point, once righted continue on your way (and pull over where its safe to panic....lol....lord knows I'd had to do that!!!!)
Also drive for the weather, if there is fresh wet snow on the ground, I would say drive less that the posted speed limit (about 5-10 Kms - not sure what that is in Mph), it take alot longer to stop on snowy roads than on freshly graveled, or plowed roads.

If your at a stop sign or traffic lights, and you notice your tires do nothing but spin when you try to take off, drop it into 1st gear and it will send less power to the tires, and get you going better (just remember to put it back into drive, or you'll be trying to figure out WHY you can speed up....LOL)

Other than that, have fun!

[featherhead]

DH and I both learned how to drive in winter. I had never driven before, my brother took me to an empty parking lot with two big light standards in it. He had me doing figure eights (forwards as well as reverse) around them, and other stuff (like backing up towards a snowbank as far as I thought I could go without hitting it). I think learning in winter is just fine.

[Jeanum]

While I had some back road/private road driving experience before getting my learner's permit, my first official driver's ed. behind the wheel driving lesson was in the snow in Michigan, as was my first freeway driving lesson. Kind of trial by fire in my opinion, but it really does prepare you for the real world of winter driving. :twocents:

[Pixels]

Either way is ok, IF

My brother learned in winter (January birthday). I learned in summer (June), but had to be willing to re-learn how to drive once the snow came. As long as by the time the snow comes again, you are willing to start over and learn how to drive in snow, it's fine to learn in the summer.

Go find an empty parking lot that hasn't been plowed. Preferably one without light poles, or ones that are spaced far apart. Practice driving there. If you are learning in snow, practice intentionally spinning out (you'll learn what maneuvers can cause skids) and then recovering from them. Skids are inevitable, so it is critical that you learn how to recover.

[papooses]

Are there driving schools in your area? Our high schools don't have Drivers Ed. but there are private driving schools in our community that base their teaching on the state's curriculum for defensive driving (with insurance rate discount for completing the course).

[keri1292]

Yeah, no need to wait until spring to drive. Just remember that snow isn't scary IF...
~ you make good choices about when to drive in snow. Don't go out in blizzards, icy conditions, etc. Just check with the weatherman before you make plans. :thumbsup:
~ you drive slowly. Really, I drive as slow as I need to to keep my van under control. Yeah, I feel like an old lady, but we're safe.
~ you drive defensively. Just because you're driving like an old lady doesn't mean that the jacka$$ that pulled out in fromt of me last night is doing the same. :rolleyes:

Just be careful and relax. I panic in an unexpected storm that leaves me slipping and sliding no matter how slow I drive, but that's only happened to me once.

[PinkSander]

Have you done any driving at all on dry roads? Are you a complete green newbie, or do you have light experience.

I'm not completely green, I have had some very very light driving, I'm not too chicken to say that the express way scares the hell out of me! It's the speed I don't like. I don't feel in control. I feel more comfortable going at most 55 mph. When I do learn it will be on an Automatic, I'll have too many other distractions when I have Audrey, with out having to worry about shifting.

[Pixels]

Leave the kids at home when you're learning. You don't want the added distractions. Once you are good at it (which might be a year or so), you can shift without thinking, so it's not an issue. If you have the option, it's easier to learn on a stick, than to try to pick it up later :twocents:

[beeman]

If you're not comfortable on the highways yet, don't go there. Build your confidence on the not so busy streets and go up from there. I agree with pixels99, don't take the kids with you if at all possible. In fact there really should only be you and the driver instructor in the car. Nothing is worse than backseat drivers that don't really know what they are talking about :twocents: . As for the standard, I picked it up after learning on an automatic, and it was no big deal. Whichever way you choose to go on that should work out fine, however you may not be motivated to learn to drive a standard once you're comfortable with an automatic. Make sure when you select your 'co-driver' that they are someone you are comfortable with, and that they aren't going to cause you to be overstressed. Go have some fun in the parking lot ;) .

[PinkSander]

If you're not comfortable on the highways yet, don't go there. Build your confidence on the not so busy streets and go up from there. I agree with pixels99, don't take the kids with you if at all possible. In fact there really should only be you and the driver instructor in the car. Nothing is worse than backseat drivers that don't really know what they are talking about :twocents: . As for the standard, I picked it up after learning on an automatic, and it was no big deal. Whichever way you choose to go on that should work out fine, however you may not be motivated to learn to drive a standard once you're comfortable with an automatic. Make sure when you select your 'co-driver' that they are someone you are comfortable with, and that they aren't going to cause you to be overstressed. Go have some fun in the parking lot ;) .

It's funny that you say choose someone I'm comfortable with, because my mom is more a laid back personality, but completely stresses me out when driving, while my aunt being a strict personality, I'm completely comfortable with her... it's weird! lol I wont drive with Audrey until I have my license anyways. as for highways, where I live I can pretty much go where ever with out taking it, it will just take me a little longer.