Winter Driving Tip - Tracking is Essential to Steering

Here's a winter driving tip for those of us who have experienced a vehicle that won't turn on ice and snow. The problem is simply that we've lost "tracking" with our front wheels, and that's a bit like having sled runners up front instead of wheels and steering.

Tracking is basically your wheels rolling across the surface of the road. If your wheels are rolling at the same rate you're traversing the road surface, then they are tracking. If your wheels are rolling at a slower speed than you're traversing the road, then they are skidding, sliding, hydroplaning or drifting.

If you firmly apply the brakes while driving on snow and ice, the powerful front brakes (that do most of the braking) will slow down or lock up the front wheels. This reduces or eliminates "tracking" and makes it difficult to steer the car. The car steers because the wheels roll. When you interfere with rolling, you interfere with steering.

Here is how to maintain steering by keeping those wheels rolling and "tracking" properly:

Slow down to the point where you can roll into your turn without loosing control of the vehicle.

Plan and execute a gentle turn, as sharp turns reduce the ability of your wheels to track properly, thus promoting a skid.

Stay off the brakes throughout the turn (hence, the need to slow down before the turn).

It takes some practice to do it right. The key to remember is that your wheels have to roll in order for you to be able to steer your vehicle on snow and ice. Anything that inhibits your front wheels from rolling will interfere with your ability to control the direction of travel.

You can see the relationship between "tracking" and steering if you go to a vacant parking lot that is covered in deep snow and do a little practice with the brakes and steering. Start out slow and cautiously, and be sure to give yourself plenty of room away from light poles, shopping cart racks, concrete curbs and the like before you do any testing.