Winter is quickly approaching on the west coast. When the snow falls, driving in Vancouver becomes tricky at best. Motorists across the country make fun of us, and probably for good reason. But knowledge is power, and the more you know about winter driving, the more comfortable you’ll be on the road.

We’ve put together a guide on some of the most common challenges encountered by Vancouver motorists.  With a little preparation and knowledge, you can drive with the same confidence held by your fellow Canadians when snowy situations arise. 

Black ice

Black ice is the answer to why Vancouver drivers need winter tires. They are made of a special rubber compound that is designed to stay flexible at low temperatures, which means you maintain maximum traction in icy conditions.

Black ice appears when wet roads freeze overnight—something that happens fairly often on the west coast. It’s transparent and impossible to see, making it very dangerous for drivers.

Check the weather reports and listen to traffic reports for black-ice warnings. The best advice is decrease your speed and keep a large amount of distance between you and the vehicle in front when there’s a risk of black ice in the area.

Visibility

Driving on a rainy Vancouver night makes for challenging visibility. Make sure your headlights, wipers, and windshield are in top shape.

If you haven’t replaced your wipers in the last 18 months, get a new set. You’ll be amazed at the difference. Check your lights and replace any burnt bulbs. And remember, headlights are useless if you forget to turn them on. Daytime running lights don’t count!

It may seem obvious, but make sure your windows are kept clean. Clean windows are less prone to fogging. TIP: to defrost your windows super quick, turn on the defrost vent without heat or opening the windows. This isn’t the most comfortable for passengers, but it’s the fastest method for defogging.

Winter tires

Vancouver may see less snow than the rest of Canada, but it doesn’t take much to cause rush-hour chaos. A set of winter tires can mean the difference between arriving home safely and bumping into the rear of another vehicle at a red light.

Your vehicle’s anti-lock brakes, traction, and stability control systems need maximum traction to function properly. Thanks to special compounds and tread, winter tires perform much better than all-season tires on snow, ice, slush, and cold dry roads.

When the temperature is consistently lower than 7° Celsius, it’s time to switch tires. If you’re using an old set, keep in mind that once they wear down to the wear indicators, they are considered illegal for use and it’s time for replacements.

Some people only install two winter tires, but mixing tires is dangerous. You have a higher risk of spinning unexpectedly when two tires have more grip than the others.

Keep your distance on wet roads

According to ICBC, one of the top three reasons for automobile crashes in B.C. is high-risk driving. This includes following too closely and driving too fast for the conditions.

The general consensus is an average driver needs at least 1.5 seconds to perceive, react to, and avoid any hazards or changes in conditions. Even a slight overestimation of reaction time can lead to a lot of damage and potential injury. Be sure to follow the two-second rule at all times, and increase to four seconds when in dangerous weather conditions.  

Navigating slippery hills

Driving up and down slippery hills is a skill that takes practice. If possible, find an empty parking lot and practice navigating your car on the ice/snow. The more comfortable you feel handling your car on a flat surface, the easier it will be to conquer icy hills.

How your car handles on an icy hill depends a lot on how you start driving from the bottom of the hill. Accelerate before the hill, that way you have momentum as you climb. If traction is an issue, try starting in a higher gear. Finally, if you start to swerve, don’t panic. Just release pressure on the accelerator and steer toward where you want to go.

Don’t break down

The last piece of winter driving advice is keep your car well-maintained by visiting your dealer service centre. Their service technicians are trained to know which parts and tires are best for your car’s make and model. It’s never fun when the stalled car announced on the traffic report is actually you.

Finally, stay calm, people! Spring is only five months away.