Debunking Common Winter Weather Driving Myths

If you’re planning on driving in an area prone to wintery weather, like the mountains, then it’s important to take some common-sense precautions to avoid delays or ending up in need of a tow truck. Unfortunately, there are many myths about driving in winter weather that give people the wrong idea about the best ways to stay safe on the road. Before you head out behind the wheel in wintery conditions, learn the truth behind these persistent myths.

Myth: Your car needs to idle before driving in the cold.

This myth was once true but is now outdated. In the past, cars did not have fuel injection systems, so in cold weather, the mechanical parts that delivered fuel to the engine needed some time to warm up to work efficiently. Those days are long gone, however, and today, there is no benefit at all letting your car ideal to heat up before you go. Doing so simply wastes gas and can also let dangerous carbon monoxide gas build up.

Myth: Four-wheel drive means you can drive in any wintery conditions.

Four-wheel drive can definitely help you maneuver through snow and can be easily helpful when climbing in the mountains, but it does not have any impact on your car’s ability to stop in wintery conditions. If you live in a place in which you deal with snow and ice regularly, then you need winter tires on your car, so that you have a better traction and can stop when you need to. If you don’t have winter tires, then you will need to decide whether conditions are safe based on the weather forecast, not whether you have four-wheel drive.

Myth: Your parking brake will help you stop on ice.

Spinning out of control on ice is scary. It’s natural to reach for your parking brake to try to stop your momentum, but doing so could be dangerous. It could cause your car to spin out, and the brake itself may freeze.

Trouble can happen on the road in any season, but Barnett’s Towing is here to help 24-hours per day, even if you’re stuck in a remote location. When you need a tow truck in Arizona, call (800) 722-2302.