Driving on icy roads and in snow

 

Is winter weather coming and have you planned a Greenwheels trip? In the Netherlands we don't often drive on icy roads or through snow. With these tips you'll arrive safely at your destination.

 

Here are 5 tips to take into account when hitting the icy or snowy roads:

Parkeerschijf IJskrabber Veilig Rijden Greenwheels Winter

Tip 1: Clear the car of snow

So not only the windows, but also the hood, the mirrors, the roof and sides of the car. This is not only safer, it also prevents you from getting a fine. How can you do that? Open the windows slightly to let the humid air out of the car, turn on the fan and aim it at the windshield. Do not start the engine yet. In the meantime, use an ice scraper to make the windows of your shared car clear of snow and ice. Every Greenwheels car has a parking disc that doubles as an ice scraper!

 

Only warm up the car while driving. The car engine must be able to warm up slowly. Turning on the engine while clearing the car of ice or snow is not the way to go. The engine hardly warms up and it's bad for the environment.

 

Tip 2: Start driving and accelerate slowly

 

When you start driving, the tires may not immediately have grip on the snowy or icy road. Driving away in second gear can help, this prevents the wheels from spinning.

Greenwheels deelauto openen met kaart

Tip 3: Keep sufficient distance

Of course you do that every time you step into a car. But keeping extra distance from other cars gives you even more time and space to respond. Adjust your speed and double the distance to the vehicle that's driving in front of you. It also helps to look far ahead. This helps you to anticipate any problems in time.

Tip 4: Drive wisely

 

In snowy and slippery weather conditions, it's best to not accelerate too much, steer carefully and do not brake too hard. Try to drive consistently. This not only ensures peace of mind for you but also for fellow road users. Sudden movements can cause you to slip and that is not cool ❄️

Greenwheels winter sneeuw veilig rijden fietser winterweer

Tip 5: Using the brake in snowy and slippery weather conditions

When should you brake? When entering a curve in the road, it is wise to only slow down, not brake. Do this well before entering the curve. When driving in the snow, do not try to 'pump' the brakes. As a result, the ABS system, which ensures that you can make an emergency stop, cannot function optimally.

 

If you do slip, try not to panic. Stay calm and do not suddenly turn your steering wheel, but steer calmly in the direction you want to go.

 

 

What Greenwheels does for you

 

All of our shared cars have all-season tires. These tires perform optimally in Dutch weather conditions. We also frequently check the tire pressure of our shared cars. It is a myth that lower tire pressure gives you more grip on slippery roads, so leave the air in the tire. As always, we are available 24/7 when you are on the road. You can call our helpdesk at any time.

 

We wish you a safe trip!