Snow & Ice Driving Techniques
Snow-driving savvy should begin long before you hit the slopes. Many people, anxious to maximise their time at the snow, make the mistake of speeding to get to the lodge more quickly. The police are aware of this tendency, so arterial roads to the snow fields are bristling with patrol cars, radar traps and unmarkeds.
TIP: Keep an eye on the speedo! (Or preferably, just dial in the cruise control – standard on all Pajero models.)
Hazards
For most of us, ski destinations are a good six to eight hours away, so remember to take a break if you feel your concentration wandering. As you near alpine areas, you'll really need to keep your wits about you. Snow and ice conditions are potentially the most dangerous of all 4WD terrains. Even in four-wheel drive, you can lose traction completely if you hit 'black' ice (which you can rarely distinguish from the road surface), spearing off in whatever direction you were last going. If you're in the mountains and the sun's come up early in the morning, then there's been a cold snap, the entire road surface can turn to ice. Black ice is most common early in the day or in the evenings, and is often found in cuttings or on bridges.
TIP: Pajero owners, have an advantage here over some other 4x4 drivers. Thanks to Pajero’s Super Select transmission system, you can drive in permanent four-wheel drive with the centre diff open – a definite safety feature in black ice country!
Chains
Another benefit of 4WD ownership is that most times, National Park rangers will let you motor on while two-wheel drivers are out in the cold trying to fit chains with numb fingers.
TIP:However, if the driving conditions are heavy or icy, you'll be forced to do the same thing, so practice putting them on before you have to – it's not as easy as you may think. Chains can be hired at places in close proximity to the snow, and it's mandatory to carry them in alpine areas in winter anyway. Make sure they are the correct size.
TIP: When driving with chains fitted, go easy on the accelerator. Chains have the potential to damage brake lines and inflict guard damage if they come off, plus driving too fast with chains on can also damage your tyres. You should check that they're fitted properly after driving 100 metres or so. With chains on, you're perfectly safe. If the rangers deem that the conditions are too atrocious to drive through, they'll simply close the roads. (Remember to have some cold weather clothing easily accessible in the unlikely event that you will have to fit chains, as well as an old pair of gloves, and a towel to wipe your hands clean afterwards. A small tarp to kneel on is a good idea too.) Remove the chains as soon as it's practical to do so.
Heavy going
TIP:While driving in four-wheel drive with open centre diff will be fine for most situations, if the conditions are really treacherous and you're getting lots of wheel-spin, push the transfer case lever one notch forward to 4LLc to lock up the centre diff. This links the entire 4WD system, and minimises the possibility of snapping an axle differential. If you're in an automatic, leave it in drive, though you can change the gears manually to retard the vehicle going down hills, thus minimising the need to use the brakes. If you own a manual, change gears normally, but don't open the throttle too much. Slow and steady is the name of the game here. Again, use gearing rather than brakes to slow down. The whole secret of snow-driving is to make everything sm-o-o-o-th.
TIP: If you do brake and start skidding or sliding, steer in the direction you want to go, lift off the brakes and if you don't immediately regain traction, blip the throttle. Likewise, if your slide occurs under acceleration, lift off the throttle initially, and gently apply the brakes if you have to. Because snow and ice are low traction surfaces, any sudden changes – be they throttle, steering or brakes – are a recipe for disaster. Drive to suit the conditions.
General Tips
If you have to pull off the road for any reason, leave the vehicle as much on the road as you can to be safe for both yourself and other drivers. Snow conceals a variety of hazards like drainage channels, stumps and so on.
When you get to the car park, don't put on the handbrake – it can freeze solid overnight. Rather, put the vehicle in gear. Fold out your windscreen wipers for exactly the same reason. It may also be a good idea to replace your standard radiator/water jacket coolant with anti-freeze before you even leave home, and diesel owners should fuel up with alpine diesel (which has a lower freeze point and additives to stop the fuel waxing up) before getting to the resort. It's available at service stations near the winter playgrounds.
It's a good idea to carry an ice scraper to get ice off your windscreen – this often occurs in the mornings on the slopes. If you don't, a credit card can perform the same function.
Finally, take an extra car key in your pocket. It's amazing how many people lock themselves out of their cars when fitting chains or just racing to get into skiing!