Is It Worth Pumping, Pressing or Braking on an Ice Floe?
Sure signs of winter include: a sudden urge to wear long underwear, cravings for hot chocolate, and a proliferation of snowy road accidents , featured on the IdiotsInCars subreddit .
Mankind has dealt with snow and ice for millennia, but driving on icy roads only began about a century ago. Clearly, we have not yet settled in, given that almost 20 percent of annual weather-related traffic accidents can be attributed to snow and ice . Many people just don’t seem to have a basic understanding of fundamental forces like momentum and friction, which results in them driving too fast on icy roads and then being unable to stop.
But even if you drive very safely when the roads are covered with ice, you can still get into trouble if you don’t know how to brake properly. You might think that braking is pretty simple: you step on the brake with your foot and the car slows down. Well, yes. But also: No, not necessarily if the roads are icy. Here’s what you need to know about how to use your car’s brakes in icy conditions.
To pump or not to pump (brakes)
Driving these days is no different: riddled with misinformation. For example, you’ve probably been told that when you’re driving on an icy road, you should “bleed your brakes” when you need to slow down or stop. The theory is that if you just hit the brake pedal right away, your brakes could lock up, sending you into a dangerous skid. Using the pump, where you apply and release the brakes quickly, allows them to slow you down without locking up.
However, this is increasingly outdated advice. It’s true that at some point in the past, bleeding the brakes on icy roads was a good idea because most cars didn’t have anti-lock braking systems (ABS). These old brakes can really “lock up” and cause you to lose control of your car. However, in 2012, the United States required all passenger cars to be equipped with ABS.
This means that your braking technique on icy roads depends a lot on how old your car is. If it’s a 2013 or newer model, you almost certainly have ABS, so it’s completely wrong to bleed the brakes – ABS automates the ‘bleed’ action for you. If you drive an older model car, check to see if it has ABS – this technology was widely available back in the 1980s, so it’s possible your car has ABS.
However, ABS is not magic. To stop on icy roads with ABS, depress the brake pedal firmly and do not release. You will feel vibration or shaking as the car slows down. But cars with ABS can still lock up on ice and you can still skid despite the technology’s best efforts. Your best strategy on icy roads is to always slow down, avoid reversing, and stay situationally aware so you never have to check how magical ABS is – or not.
If you don’t have ABS, bleeding your brakes is a good idea. But bleeding the brakes properly is an art.
How to bleed the brakes on an old car
The key step to remember when braking in winter conditions is not to panic. Physics can betray you, but keeping your cool is the first step to reducing risk. Here’s how to bleed the brakes in an old car without ABS:
- Don’t slam on the brakes. Even if you see a vehicle quickly approaching in front of you, hitting the brakes is a sure way to lock up your wheels and send your car into a skid or spin.
- Gently apply the brakes, then release and then apply again in a steady, moderate rhythm. If you feel the vehicle begin to skid or skid, release the brakes, regain control and try again.
- Bleeding the brakes allows you to maintain control of your vehicle. While icy roads can still lead to slipping, as long as you don’t block the car, you can still drive to avoid being hit, or at least reduce the damage.
If you start to slip or fishtail, release the brakes . You may instinctively double down on stopping the car, but that will only improve your glide. Release the brakes and steer in the direction of the slide , but don’t overdo it and don’t yank the steering wheel. Keep the course correction gradual. This will give you back control of the car and you can start braking again.