A few winter driving questions

Expect to go slower and not jam on the brakes hard. The jake brake can be used on lower settings contrary to the oversimplified rule that it should never be used. There are many variables that affect traction in winter. For example, A very dangerous scenario would be bobtailing down a snowpacked
road with the jake on full blast, in a low gear, without the power divider on. The powered axle will almost certainly break traction from the roadway because it wants to go slower than the speed the truck is moving, causing loss of control. But you see how all the variables (and many more) determine what will be safe and not safe.

 

Make sure your brakes are adjusted right and don't be scared of using them as well as jakes in low setting. Also, very important: be cautious, but not scared.(scared usually leads to panic and panic almost always causes ugly mistakes)

 

Sliding wheels will ALWAYS pass up rolling wheels. Personally, I'd stay off that trailer valve, leave the engine brake off and drive like you have no brakes. Use gearing to bring it down slow enough, then use your foot brake, watch your mirrors for your trailer trying to pass you. Drive like you have no brakes!

 

Black Ice = You Will have No Control




Wear brown pants.....

 

Mountain passes get primary attention in the winter with plows and treatments. If conditions are bad enough you need to chain up. If they are extremely bad then they will shut the mountain down.

If you encounter black ice it usually is in patches and on overpasses. I've had one serious black ice incident in 15 years. I was caught by surprise entering a new storm and hit the black ice on an overpass. My drives started to come out from under me. Two cars already spun out into the median in front of me. My rear end was coming out from under me because my trailer was pushing me. I countered with a very light throttle to take away the trailer push factor if that makes any sense. Anyways the underwear was drawn up but I made it. Nobody wants to see wrecks but actually cars and trucks in the median are good signs of trouble ahead. Like others said if things are bad you want to be going slow. Ignore the supertruckers that have something to prove.

Regardless of what anyone says you are captain of that ship. If you feel uncomfortable then find a place to park and shut her down. The dispatcher might not be happy but they won't reprimand you.

 

Some clues....

A lane that only has light traffic in it will form ice sooner than a more heavily travelled lane. Beware of turn lanes and exit ramps.

Lanes in shade will remain frozen longer than those in sunlight. Deeply shaded lanes may not ever get above freezing.

Spray coming off the wheels of a vehicle in front of you means its only a wet road. When the spray stops it's time to worry.

If you look in your rear view mirrors and the road looks like glass, you're on thin ice.

If your butt feels odd side motions or jerks, that's a sign that at least one of your tires is starting to loose traction. Slow down now!

 

And if you think to yourself "Hmmm,where is all the trucks and 4 wheelers?".Well you can figure that part out.

 

If I really had to drive Id use jake brake any time over brakes to actually slow you down besides being in the right gear. That famous show actually recommends light braking also, to slightly heat up the brakes and prevent snow dust from turning into ice and rendering them useless. Might be useful on a long grade when on packed snow or when it is snowing, can probably take a driver off guard on an ice patch though.
There is a school of thought about pushing in the clutch to regain traction but like others said ,although it seems counterintuitive ,the accelerator might be the only answer in a serious situation