To Every Season, There is a TIME.

Stopping behind a car, or at a traffic light follow the same principles as moving in slippery weather. One additional component is key to stopping, and any other snowy driving excursion, time. No amount of pulsing will help if you are following the car in front of you to closely. Revving your engine will only spin your wheels on the ice, it won’t get you where you need to go any faster. Allow yourself extra time to clear off the car so you don’t need to race across the icy roads. Why not fill your tank with holiday spirit, and share the road. Take time to get where you are going, you’ll be safer and you’ll enjoy it more.

Dang! We're in a Tight Spot!

The barn probably isn’t burning around you, like George Clooney, but when your tires just aren’t moving forward or back, we all can feel like there is no way out. Try pulsing, like going up hill. When that doesn’t work try to rock the car back and forth. Pulse a few times forward, then put it in reverse and pulse again. This will build up some momentum, and might help find a spot with some grip. In extreme cases, sand, or a piece of wood under the wheels, will increase traction. If you are really worried about getting stuck, just make friends with some strong people.

Do you have any good stories about getting out of a tight spot? Do you have strong friend stories? On a serious note, do you have any tips for dealing with rear vs. front wheel drive?

What to do if Your Car Doesn't Fit in the Living Room by the Fire

After a cold night without snow, the air is crisp and clear. Once I force myself out of bed and head to the car, I see natures cruel trick to the beautiful season. FROST! It’s not thick enough to scrape, and too cold to wipe away using wiper fluid without it refrosting. Clearing the car is a nuisance, but it is important to make sure you can see before sliding onto the road.

Here are some ways to save time with frost and thicker problems. Short of building a heated garage or buying a new car with auto-start options, having the right tools will help save time in the morning. A brush and scraper unit is best; it can wipe snow and scrape ice. Using your defrost settings properly will help, and windshield wiper fluid with de-icer is a nice perk for frosty mornings. Once you wade through the snow, turn on the car and crank the heat. Turn on the defrost for the rear windshield and then start to brush off snow. Once you get to scraping, the ice should be softer, and easier to clear.

If winter in Michigan ever feels like too much...at least your car doesn't look like this! What do you think, scraper or flame thrower?

The Right Tools for the Job

Imagine you went fishing with a spoon. Assuming you do not have Ninja stealth skills, you would not be surprised that you came home empty handed. If you intend to be a successful winter driver do not assume that the original tires on your 1983 two-door Festiva Hatchback will grip the ice, and provide the safe traction needed for you and those with whom you share the road. At the same time, we are not in Alaska, you won’t need to wrap chains around your tires either. Nice four season tires that are well maintained, or snow tires, will suffice.

When the First Flake Falls

I have a teacher who claims Michigan drivers loose all control of their appendages, and common sense when the first flake of snow lands on their windshields. Being a Michigan native, and professing to have acute snow maneuvering ability, I take issue with his statement. His Naïve comments solicited the birth of this blog. My posts will be devoted to Snow-Driving, which in Michigan becomes a noun once the snow arrives. Not only is Snow-Driving a thing, but an idea and state of being. To prove the inaccuracy of my professors perception of Michigan drivers ability and mental capacity, I offer myself as an example, and welcome those of you with additional knowledge to come forward.