Škoda: Winter tips from the rally pro
SPECIAL ATTENTION Škoda works driver Jan Kopecký explains in an interview how drivers can recognize treacherous road conditions early on and stay safe on the road even in difficult conditions. Whether in wet or snowy conditions: driving in the winter months requires special attention. It becomes dangerous at temperatures around freezing point because the road conditions can then change quickly. The Czech rally professional Jan [...]
Whether in wet or snowy conditions, driving in the winter months requires special attention. It becomes dangerous at temperatures around freezing point because the road conditions can change quickly.
Czech rally pro Jan Kopecký, Škoda works driver and 2018 WRC2 World Champion, gives valuable tips on how drivers should behave in an interview.
Thinking ahead prevents stress
Mr. Kopecký, as a rally driver you are used to driving in difficult road conditions such as wet, snow and ice. In normal road traffic, drivers are confronted with such conditions, especially in the fall and winter. How can you prepare for them?
Jan Kopecký: "Every driver should heed the most important piece of advice at all times, not just in the fall and winter: You should not allow yourself to be distracted at the wheel and always drive with foresight, with sufficient safety distance and at an appropriate speed. Drivers should always check the weather forecast before setting off and allow extra time if necessary. Leaving early prevents stress, especially on the way to the office. Before setting off, the car should be completely cleared of ice and snow. This also includes the roof and hood. Only those who have good visibility can react well. In addition, cars behind you must not be endangered by falling snow or ice. The driving style must always be adapted to the road conditions. Every driver should prepare their vehicle for driving in the cold season. Winter tires with a sufficient tread depth of at least four millimeters are a must."
Three seconds gap
How do you recognize early on whether the road is slippery or slippery?
Jan Kopecký: "Darker patches on the road at low temperatures are a sign of slippery roads, so if there is glitter anywhere, you should definitely take your foot off the accelerator. The road is often slippery, especially when it's snowing, and the salt makes the snow slushy and increases the risk of slipping even more. You should also reduce your speed if the snow cover is firm, as the road surface may be frozen under the snow, which drivers may not notice immediately. It is therefore essential to drive with foresight and keep a safe distance. You should always maintain a distance of three seconds from the vehicle in front in such situations."
Ride like on raw eggs
What is the best way to behave if you come across a slippery road surface?
Jan Kopecký: "Rule number one: keep calm and don't rush. In principle, drivers should reduce their speed by at least half on snowy or icy roads. This is because the braking distance is quickly three to four times longer in these weather conditions. To prevent the car from skidding and becoming uncontrollable, abrupt steering and braking should be avoided. Believe me, in my private life I either don't drive at all on slippery roads or I drive as if I had raw eggs in the trunk. In vehicles with a manual gearbox, you should also depress the clutch if the vehicle swerves, then the wheels only have to transmit the longitudinal forces. If the car starts to slip in a bend anyway, it is usually enough to reduce the steering angle a little to find the right direction again. Lane changes across snow between lanes also work best if you depress the clutch and let the car roll onto the other lane with slightly increased momentum."
Ice scraper and broom
Not only an adapted driving style, but also the right equipment can prevent problems in winter road conditions. What should drivers always have in their vehicle in winter?
Jan Kopecký: "You should definitely have an ice scraper and a broom for clearing snow in your car. At Škoda, these two Simply Clever features are included as standard in the new Octavia, for example, in the fuel filler cap and in the door. Sometimes a de-icing spray can also be helpful: it makes the job much easier if the layer of ice is particularly thick or you don't have that much power. Snow chains are a must when driving in the mountains, but you should practise putting them on beforehand. There should also be enough windshield wiper fluid and antifreeze in the water tank. If you have older car batteries, it doesn't hurt to check them before you set off into winter."
