How to drive in winter

I always taught my trainees that, "COASTING IS YOUR FRIEND". Whether it's an ice covered bridge or shaded section of road, or snow building up on the road in a blizzard because of trees or buildings next to the road, or simply coming into a curve too hot. Just EASE OFF THE ACCELERATOR and coast. In curves you gain control. In snow or ice patches you gain control.

I had a surprise last night running westbound on I-70 in Kansas. Light snow falling, temperatures hovering around zero, and a hard north wind making flags stand out straight (30 mph or more). The travel lane was bone dry, the passing lane had intermittent ice. I was alone in the travel lane, running about 60 mph, when both lanes suddenly became choked with drifting snow (that's when I saw the trees planted off to the right in my peripheral vision)...

...This is NOT a good time to hit the brakes. I just eased off the throttle and coasted hot through the first 200 yards of drifted snow, then downshifted and eased back on the throttle.

There was no addrenalin rush. Just take this all in stride as part of the job. Hands holding the steering wheel like a wounded sparrow and arms limp as wet noodles. Gusts of wind and sudden drops in wind as I went under bridges or came even with buildings kept my attention.

 

Maybe more of this fun will be in my diet. Might be picking up regular team runs between OKC and Casper, teaming with my brother. I'm in the sleeper berth with my brother at the wheel, temperatures at -8F and dropping, and I KNOW he's going to be challenged from Wheatland to Cheyenne and again through Denver. I had fun times through there earlier today.

I'll sleep like a baby. My bro's at the wheel. Got to rack out and TCB. My shift will likely feature freezing rain.

 

That switch is for the traction control.

The default position for traction control is ON, and the switch is to dis-engage it. This allows the wheels to spin which is actually preferred (within reason) under certain conditions such as mud and deep snow, and very occasionally on ice.

What you say... spinning is preferable? Yes. I'm not talking about grabbing three gears and bouncing off the rev limiter, I am talking about having the wheels move just slightly faster than the truck is moving. Sometimes when in mud, snow or on ice it is the only way you're going to move.

Traction control usually works by either limiting engine power under a slipping condition, by applying the brake on the wheel that is slipping, or both. This can cause the truck to bog down and stop moving forward if TC is on. Normally when driving on-road you will leave the traction control engaged. Some trucks label the TC switch as OFF-ROAD.

 

Thanks. I learn something new every day on TTR. This might come in handy next time I drive a strange truck on our "drive away" program. It's like getting a rental car, with knobs and switches in different positions, except you are driving a tractor trailer with everything from a 9 to 13 speed, Jakes in all different positions, and some have axle locks in addition to IAD Locks. Haven't come across any with TC, but all the drive away rigs are set up for off road.

 

Well crap! I didn't have an extra fuel filter. Temperatures at -20°F near Wheatland, and my brother pulls in to the Sinclair, can't get power.

Okay, dump a gallon of kerosene in the tanks and a bottle of 911 in each tank, take a run around Wheatland, debating whether to shut down with my truck at fast idle and check into a motel, when the engine kicks in and power is back. Running southbound on I-25, five by five. Gotta give a cheer to whoever invented Diesel 911.

 

Cardboard and bungies.
They're trending right now.

 

"NO, YOURE NOT !!!"

 

I'll tell you how not to drive.

Go down the road in snowy and dangerous conditions with everyone doing a little over 50 while you are doing 65/70 in the left lane throwing rocks and solid pieces of ice at every car you pass.

This morning I had to go out to a place about 30 miles from my house to pick up a part, then go to an appliance repair place 20 miles from there to pick up another part thanks to my nice fridge deciding to crap out on me at 4am. I am doing 50 in the center lane when this idiot owner operator leased to B&W Interstate comes flying up in the left lane and passes all of us as if we are in his way. He spray me with all kinds of slush as he flew by, broke my side rear window with a chunk of ice and the girl in front of me had her windshield busted up and fortunately she was a calm driver and didn't panic but got off to the side in front of me.

The guy who was with the girl wanted to go after him, she calmed him down because she knew if he would have caught the guy, he would have beaten him to death, he was really really angry.

That's how you NOT drive in the winter.