Snowstorm: Driving Tips
With Justin McNaull
Manager, AAA Mid-Atlantic
Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2002; 3 p.m. ET

The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm watch for the Washington Metropolitan area. The forecast calls for more than four inches of snow by Thursday morning.

What can motorists do to gear up for the weather conditions? What are some good driving tips?

Justin McNaull, public affairs manager for AAA Mid-Atlantic, will be online Wednesday, Dec. 4 at 3 p.m. ET, to offer motorists advice on how to deal with driving in the snow.

A transcript follows.

Editor's Note: Washingtonpost.com moderators retain editorial control over Live Online discussions and choose the most relevant questions for guests and hosts; guests and hosts can decline to answer questions.

Justin McNaull: Welcome aboard, everybody. I won't make any snowfall predictions and don't have the power to cancel school or work, but I'll try to help you and your car get ready for the snow.

Montvale, N.J.: What general tips do you have for getting through deep snow? What happens if the car begins to skid?

Justin McNaull: New Jersey folks know a bit more about deep snow than we do. First rule: avoid it if you can. Most of our passenger cars have just 6-10 inches of ground clearance and have trouble if the snow gets deeper than that. If there's just a short stretch of it, a bit of momentum will help you, but don't count on being able to bull your way through it--or back out of it if you get stuck. If in doubt, park the car and walk the final block or two to your destination. Else, stick to the plowed roads.

Manassas, Va.: Which is better for snow traction, AWD or 4WD?

Justin McNaull: Tires, not your drive train, are the most important tool for getting traction. Be sure that they have adequate (at least 2/32 of an inch) of tread depth and are properly-inflated. Some folks (like police and fire departments) find tire chains worth having if they really must be out in the snow.

The big difference between all-wheel drive and 4-wheel is that all-wheel is always on and 4WD can be turned on and off. 4WD does have the additional advantage of often having a 'low' range that can give you better power, but very few of us really need that kind of ability in this part of the country.

Lorton: I moved to the D.C. area a little over a year ago, and with no snow last year I'm not sure what to expect. I've never had a problem driving in SW Virginia (which does get a fair ammount)in snow before. I know it sounds cliche, but I'm fine and everyone else isn't. Actually, it's not that, I'm sure most everyone else is OK. I'm just very nervous about the fact that everyone else has gone from a few other drivers to 500,000 of my closest friends on the beltway. I'm leaning toward just taking leave tommorow and sticking close to home (I have a 30 mile commute).

Justin McNaull: Lots of questinos about why many of us here have trouble with the snow. Without making generalizations about people from other parts of the country (I'll leave that for you all to do), suffice it to say that many of our neighbors moved here from parts of the contry that don't get much snow.

Here in DC we're sort of at the edge of the snow belt. Up in Pennsylvania, they're used to gettign snow. South of Richmond, it's unusual. Here, it's hit and miss depending on the year--much to the dismay of school kids.

The sheer volume of traffic here poses one snow driving challenge. With so many folks on the road there's much less room for error in slick conditions. Many folks go out in the snow who really don't have to. As such, if you can avoid being on the road with them, your car will thank you for the dents that you're saving it. If teleworking is an option for you, this might be a great time to do it.

Bel Alton, Md.: My house is at the top of a hill, and my driveway is steep. Any suggestions for getting to the top without getting stuck? Can't really get a running start, so I don't get much momentum. I'd like to avoid leaving my vehicle on the street due to the snow plows that come through. Thanks!

Justin McNaull: Gravity and lack of friction will be working against you. Nothing you can do about gravity. Friction can be increased by shoveling the snow and using a chemical melt on the driveway or by spreading sand, bird seed, kitty litter or another gritty substance. Tire chains also will help with gaining traction, but take some getting used to install them.

I understand the desire to not be on the street and the plow drivers appreciate it. If you really must have the car positioned for a quick getaway, consider asking a neighbor about leaving it at the end of their flat driveway. As payment you can offer to shovel the part that you used. See if snow can bring us all together.

Arlington (originally from N.J.): Here's a few more tips and a stray comment or two:

Clear the snow off your car before you start driving. Clearing the windows is not enough.

Drive slowly. Leave extra time to get where you are going. Leave extra space for stopping so you you can stop gradually and do not have to slam on your breaks.

Red lights still mean stop.

If it's too bad to go to work or school, it's too bad to go to the mall or the movies.

Snow is a normal occurrence in winter. Stop the panic.

Justin McNaull: Can I get an 'amen' from the chorus?

You're right on about clearing off the whole car. There are few things spookier than watching a slab of crusty snow and ice fly off a car's roof at 35 or 50 miles per hour.

A bit of patience and level headedness makes it all much easier.

I know you'll be careful out there. Spread the word.

Arlington, Va.: Please let people know that four-wheel drive won't help on ice! I can't believe how many people think they can just plow on down an ice-covered road in four-wheel drive! It won't help with traction and you end up in just as much trouble as a regular two-wheel drive vehicle.

Justin McNaull: My driveway has a front-wheel drive sedan and a four-wheel drive SUV. The SUV gives me a better shot at accelerating on slick services but the 4WD doesn't help me out one bit when it's time to turn or stop. My top 'safe' speed on slushy and snowy roads is the same in both of them.

Remember that even snowmobiles have trouble stopping on ice.

Other thought for 4WD: You need to activate it for it to help you. Many trucks and SUVs operate in rear-wheel drive when the 4WD isn't active, making the going extra treacherous.

Fairfax, Va.: Is there any program that AAA offers for people who aren't familiar with driving in inclement weather? If so, how can I find out more information about them?

Justin McNaull: It's not taught with winter driving specifically in mind, but we do have an Advanced Driver Training class in Manassas that runs April-November that includes some time on a 'skid pan' that gives drivers a chance to operate on slick surfaces and practice with skids. It's primarily intended as a sort of graduate-level driver training for teens, but we've had folks of all ages come through it and benefit.

On you own you might be able to find an unplowed parking lot and (provided that there aren't light poles or curbs to pose a hazard) do a bit of practicing with a friend from the Snow Belt. Also a great idea for parents with their teen drivers.

If your neighborhood street is car-free, you might want to tap the gas a bit to test your traction and the condition of the roads to see how much your tires spin. Ditto for slamming your brakes at 5-10 m.p.h. to see if your tires 'lock up' and practice turning into that small, controlled skid. Be sure that there are no sledders, snow ball throwers, Xcountry skiers, parked cars, etc. of course.

Rockville, Md.: By what time will the roads be cleared of snow tomorrow?

Justin McNaull: Depends how much snow. Highways and primary routes get first treatment. Neighborhood streets normally come last. Fortunately, a decent snow fall pushes our pals in TV land into "STORM TEAM COVERAGE!!" so we get non-stop traffic, weather reports, and Channel 4's Pat Collins standing in a snow bank with his yard stick.

Stay tuned to the tube, radio, and, of course, here online for traffic conditions. Also, don't be afraid to walk the block or two out of your neighborhood just to see for yourself how the primary road looks. And if the roads still look bad, just turnaround and go home.

Silver Spring, Md.: How would I attack driving in the snow if I have a RWD car and do not have traction control?

Justin McNaull: You'll be in a bit of trouble. Speaking as a former Fiat Spider driver who once tried it in the snow (I drovfe a half mile, then turned around and went home), a peppy engine in a light real-wheel drive car doesn't set you up well.

If you must, avoid acceleerating unless you're travelilng in a straight line. Asking a RWD car to spin the tires while turning is a recipe for having your rear end spin out.

Cheverly, Md.: When you lose control in a front wheel drive car and begin to skip, should you turn into the direction of the skip to regain control of the car?

What about a front wheel drive card with anti-lock brakes?

Justin McNaull: The important skid question:

First, get your foot off the gas. Extra speed will make the crash (if it happens) more severe.

Second, turn into the skid. If your rear end is sliding out to the left, turn your wheel to the left. You need to get the car traveling in a straight line before braking will do you any good.

Third, once traveling straight, apply the brakes. With anti-lock brakes, the car will help you get better traction and slow. Without ABS, you'll want to let off the brakes then reapply them if you feel them 'lock up'.

In a manual, you might find down shifting gears to help slow the car, as well.


With front wheel drive, there is a method sometimes referred to as 'feathering' the gas, in which you tap the gas to help 'pull' a sliding car into a straight line. The issue with this is that you might merely be causing your car to hit a tree, guardrail, etc. at an even higher rate--not good for you, the car, or the thing you hit. This technique will do more harm than good for most people and is not one AAA recommends.

Phobia?: I am new to the area and am so ABSOLUTELY TERRIFIED! I would stay home tomorrow, but given my particular situation, that is not an option. What do you recommend?

Justin McNaull: First, inhale the refreshing brisk air. Winter can be fun.

Second, look at your transit options if you don't feel comfortable driving in this stuff. Trains handle snow quite well. (Personal confession: I'm headed to a conference in Richmond tomorrow afternoon and booked a ticket on Amtrak today just to avoid I-95 on a snowy day.)

Third, if you must drive, double your travel time so that you can drive at half the speed limit, if that's what road conditions dictate. Don't ask your car to do more than one thing at a time. Either accelerate gently, brake carefully, or turn the wheel. When you ask your car to do more than one of these at the same time, you can get in to trouble.

Washington, D.C.: Just wanted to be the first city resident to post to this chat. It's obvious we're a little less concerned about where we can drive than our suburban counterparts. When does the "how to walk in the snow, assuming you have someplace to walk to" chat start?

Justin McNaull: There's a reason there's no song about driving in a winter wonderland. Walking (or skiing, skating, sledding, or other Nordic activities that start with 's') really is the best thing to do.

First: Stay out of the road. To that end, we all need to shovel our sidewalks (even if our jurisdiction doesn't require us to). If you have an elderly neighbor, help him/her out by shoveling the sidewalk.

Put on some boots so that you'll be okay walking through a snowbank or a snowy yard so that you can avoid walking in the ocy, snowy roadway. Also: wear some bright clothing so that you'll stand out against the white snow and gray sky. This is even more important for kids.

If you must venture into the street, walk facing traffic so that drivers will see you and you can see them. If you see a car headed toward you and it seems dangerous to you, get out of the road and get something solid between you and it.

Be careful and stay warm.

Washington, D.C.: How much snow accumulation does it take before driving is dangerous? What about ice? Is it basically safe to drive in sleet, as long as you take it slow? General guidelines would be helpful. Thanks!

Justin McNaull: Quality matters more than quantity on this one. The most dangerous road I've ever been on was I-95 in Jacksonville, FL during an ice storm. There was just a fine glaze of black ice across the roadway, but the overpasses were treacherous.

If the sleet is hitting the ground and becoming a liquid, then driving is okay. The problem is that this is hard to tell when you're travelling at highway speeds and can change quicky. I'll leave it to the folks at the Weather Service to split hairs between sleet, freezing rain, snain, slush, and all the other terms people use. Suffice it to say: sleet is awfully close to ice and you need to keep your speeds to a minimum.

And, of course, buckle up in case the crash does happen.

Woodbridge, Va.: My husband has a 2WD pickup truck (rear wheel drive), and I have a front wheel drive sedan. Can you help me convince him that he would be better off tommorow in my car, even if it means throwing all his tools in my car (he works construction and they are planning on being on site tommorow).

Justin McNaull: As a husband, I can say: let him seem like it is his idea, not yours.

Seriously, though, you're probably right about this one.

Another confession: as a teen, I tapped a guardrail on I-64 on a snowy day after I came upon the unplowed portion of the road before I could get out of my old Bronco II to lock the hubs. RWD pick up trucks can be especially slippery on slick roads because, with an empty bed, there is minimal weight over the rear wheels to keep them on the roadway.

Good luck.

Washington, D.C.: Don't forget that drivers of larger vehicles, namely buses and trucks, may also not have experience driving in snow. Any tips for drivers on sharing the snowy roads with larger vehicles?

Justin McNaull: Good point. Large vehicles have many of the same problems stopping that our smaller cars do. Fortunately, they have more tires making contact with the road and more weight to force those tires down to the pavement. Of course, more weight means that there's more bus/truck to stop and more potential for damage to me/you in a crash.

First rule: Get out of their way.
Second rule: Get out of their way.

Seriously, give buses and trucks a wide berth on narrow neighborhood streets and on main roads. Sometimes, traveling single file--even on a four-lane road like Connecticut Ave. is the safest thing to do. On slushy roads, they also can spray waves of slush, water, and grime that obstruct your vision.

Thanks for the reminder.

Carbondale, Pa.: One of the things that I was told was to let some air out of my tires to help increase the weight on the tire traction. I realize that low-pressure tires are not something very good on a vehicle, so would you recommend this only if one was stuck?

Justin McNaull: A couple tire questions:

Lower air pressure isn't going to get you appreciable gains. What you pick up in additional surface area contacting the road can be lost in reduced ability of your tread to channel water, snow, etc. away from the tire. Plus, if you deflate them too low, you can damage them and shorten their lives (while perhaps even imperiling your own).

With the colder temps we have now, check your tire pressure. Many of us have lost a couple PSI due to the drop off on these cold mornings. Take a look at your tread depth while your at it: 2/32 of an inch is the minimum you need.

Gaithersburg, Md.: Can you please reinforce the premise that having 4WD/AWD doesn't mean you can drive faster than others. I'm from Wisconsin, and saw too many of these drivers who thought they were invincible in the snow -- until they had to stop.

Also, refresh us on the proper technique to control a skid if we end up in one.

Justin McNaull: The 4WD lesson is important enough that AAA Mid-Atlantic has a news release dedicated to it. Here's the link: http://www.aaamidatlantic.com/press/articles.asp?id=701

The quick reminder? 4WD is technology, not magic. The laws of physics still apply to you (us). My relatives in Vermont will vouch for the Wisconsin winter escapee's message: not even a snowmobile can stop quickly on ice.

Bethesda, Md.: I have a emergency/safety kit in my car. It contains: Flares, triangle, flashlight, bandages, cell phone, aspirin, condoms, air pressure gauge, and car insurance phone numbers. I realize that ordinarily, you do not advise keeping an extra gallon of gasoline in the trunk, but I wonder if there is added reason to do that given the hazards of a snow storm? That is, with it taking more gas to get places, and the chances of getting stuck somewhere higher, I wonder if the advantages outweigh the risks?

Justin McNaull: Congrats on carrying a winter emergency kit: consider adding some blankets as well (not related to one of the less-conventional items in your kit).

As for carrying extra gasoline in your car, you're just asking for trouble. Gasoline isn't a stable substance, emits fumes, is flammable, etc. The 'emergency gas' substitutes that are sold in stores are stabilized for safe transport (although mechanics would discourage you from using it for sake of your engine's life).

Best approach: make sure you have a half-tank of gas tonight and you should be just fine.

Greenbelt, Md.: Good afternoon, Mr. McNaull: What can you use on doors so they do not freeze shut? Silicone spray? Thank you.

Justin McNaull: There are some sprays that will help. Remember, too, to try the passenger side. Typically, doors freeze shut when we get frozen precipitation, which often comes down at an angle, meaning that one side of the car gets it worse than the other. If you can open the other door (or the back of your wagon/SUV) you can start the engine and let it thaw from the inside.

DON'T use hot water, however, as this can contact a cold window and crack it.

Justin McNaull: We've covered a lot of ground--more than I hope most of you will have to cover tomorrow. Thanks for the great questions and remember to be careful, patient, and prepared when you're out and about in the snow. If we didn't get to your question, you might find the answer in AAA's full set of winter driving news releases at: http://www.aaamidatlantic.com/press/default.asp?region=Washington%20Metro%20Area

Happy motoring (and sledding, too).

Justin

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