European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - October 29, 1987, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Thursday october 29. 1967 the stars and stripes Page 13 car Corner on snowy Roods smoothness is the key winterizing the car and Driver it s that time of year again a time when Winter driving in Europe soon must be reckoned with. So Lei s get started with our annual report. Today let s talk first about driving in Winter then Well look Al a Tew actions needed to prepare our cars for the win Ter driving  most Eup Cru agree that smoothness is the key to Safe and successful Winter driving and that two absolute rules gov Ern. The first Rule is to adjust your Speed to prevailing conditions and the second is to avoid rough use of the accelerator and brakes on ice and Snow. Why because hard acceleration is practically guaranteed to produce a slide or a spin and the same goes for hard braking. To these two basics one might add some backup advice the exercising or caution on snowy and icy roads and the use of common sense at All times. Once under Way on a snowy Winter Day remain in the highest gear possible o pre vent wheel spin. Speed should be smelly limited and Normal safely distances be tween cars doubled or even tripled. When planning a Slop slow much sooner than you would on dry pavement always braking gently. Stopping on Iee and Snow Ean require 3 to 12 limes More distance than on a dry Road. This is an example of where common sense comes into play. After All it s easy to drive fast on Snow and ice but it s impossible to make a Quick Slop. But if you have gone Loo fast and the wheels lock up under braking Provok ing a slide pump the brakes once or twice a Quick repealing action to free the wheels and provide some steering control. When the wheels arc locked you can t steer. Most skids arc caused by going Loo fast in a curve or braking too hard. Even a too enthusiastic downshift on an icy curve can set off a skid so if your ear has a Slick shift make the downshift Well before entering the curve. This by the Way applies in All weather conditions. If you should skid steer into the skid and accelerate smoothly avoiding wheel spin. And avoid braking until the skid is corrected. An easy Way to remember is 1c the Back of the car is skidding left turn the wheel left. If skidding right turn right. In every Case be prepared to Correct. When a front wheet drive targets into a front wheel skid reduce acceleration and decrease Hie Angle of the turn until the skid is corrected. It s easy to write about skid correction but driving out of a skid is another thing. The Best idea is to find a deserted area and go out and practice skids on the first snowy Day. Once you provoke your own skids you won t fear them. A gravel surface will also serve the purpose for practising. You la learn a loj and it s fun. Loo. Most driving schools in Europe in clude a skid session so you May want to Check thai out. Summing up to maintain control of your vehicle the Wircs must grip inc Roud. And Noi spin or slide. In Winter that Means avoiding sudden acceleration braking or change of direction. Any time you change the Speed or direction of your vehicle you change the Load on the tires. On ice or Snow thai can mean 3 loss of control if you Are not prepared to respond properly. Where inc car itself is concerned Lake it easy on inc engine especially Dunn re irume cold. Never race the engine after starting from cold because the pans arc not fully lubricated. Allow the engine to warm up a minute or iwo then drive Oft slow in and maintain a moderate Road Speed until the engine is thoroughly warmed. And if stuck in Snow Don l abuse an the Vinter driving season is approaching rapidly. Automatic transmission by shift rocking rapidly at High engine revs. This could Burn out inc transmission bands. The various Aulo clubs in Europe meanwhile offer some relevant lips on Winter situations. Here arc inc most important ones be. Especially Alert in the Early morning and Lale evening when Road icing is most Likely to occur. Icy stretches arc most Likely 10 be found on and under Bridges on inc High sections of roads Al inc lops of Hills exposed to wind in deep valleys and in forests and on roads near Rivers lakes and along foggy areas. � in heavy fog slow Down and switch on All necessary lights slaying on Tow beam. Lower your window slightly for venting. Keep your distance and pass Only with extreme care. If even in the slightest doubt never pass the euro Pean fog code is slow Down keep your distance and use your  keep Alert for fallen leaves. Even when it s not raining leaves retain Mois Ture and can create a Slippery Road sur face. When driving on a wet Road there s always a Strong possibility that  May lie ahead. The Best Way to recognize he is condition is by surface reflection. While on a wet Road in Winter inc surface will reflect or even glitter in some instances. But that Dull Patch you Sec ahead is Black ice so gel off the Gas fast once on ice do not accelerate Brake gear Down or make a sudden change in direction. Keep a Safe distance from other cars. Finally the european Aulo clubs say if the sea incr is really impossible Lake a Streetcar or a train and forget about  now let s look at the car and gel in ready for Winter. Fortunately the Modem automobile no longer requires the maintenance once demanded for Winter driving and if you have a new or relatively new car and have followed the inspection intervals As suggested you need Only Wash and Wax your car for the a incr months ahead but if Lens is not inc Case then read on. To avoid a no. I problem in a incr inc no Starl miseries your engine must be in a Good stale of lunch. Lithe in Gnu components Are not properly maintained even a new or Well charged Battery can quickly Wear Down in Winter because Mure voltage is required to Start a car when it has cracked ignition cables. Worn spark plugs and All inc rest. The experts Sny that a dead Battery in Winter is usually a symptom of disease and not he Rause. Regarding i in Battery itself make cer Tain 111,11 inc cables and Battery terminals arc clean and lightened Down. If in Douht about your Battery have it checked. Now for some questions of a incr priorities. You can carry out most of  is Ilu couling system of and is there enough Antifreeze in in to provide the neck or Protection if in doubt about the sire Iglo of the amid rec a. Have it Etc eked. Is in Radiator clean and Leaf free and arc Iii. V Joni hoses in Good Condi Tion and clamped Down tight is the exhaust system in Gutel condition and free of leaks Check car fully. This is important because of potential Carbon monoxide leaks. What about the Windshield wiper Blades if they Don t sweep clean replace them. Your vision in Winter darkness is vital. And just As important do you have a Windshield sort Cut in i he Reservoir Strong enough to Cope with Low tempera lures this solvent is a Musi in Winter and it s a Good idea to keep an extra bottle in inc trunk. Another item to keep on Lund is one of the moisture dispelling in Duci that comes in a pressurized can. If you have a Wal engine that won t Siart this stuff can work miracles. A can of do incr for open ing door locks is also a Good idea this de icer also quickly effective in Clearing Frost from windshields and windows also make certain to have a plastic ice scraper and a whisk Broom Lor Clearing ice and Snow. Clean your windshields and windows Well. Peephole driving is dangerous. The Heater defroster systems Are essential to both safely and com Fri in win Ter so be certain icy work properly. Lights must operate at maximum efficiency and if your car is equipped with fog lights so much the letter. In heavy weather clean your Light often so Wilh your car in Good condition you have Confidence in it and Confidence is important in Winter driving. Wuh a Well prepared car and a knowl Edge of some Basic win scr do my techniques All should go Well. Maniett Winter tires Are they o necessity when discussing the Winter izing of cars tires remain a special subject. The big question. Of course is Are Snow Wircs really necessary if you live in real Snow country or spend a lot of time in ski areas the answer is an obvious  if you Don to then Snow tires Are not vital. Although some peopk1 swear by Snow tires and have them mounted in Early autumn regardless of where they live in Europe others consistently go through a Winter season with Norma radial pay tires Good tread is essential. Of course i. An i with chains lured in inc trunk Mil in  another approach involves All weather Liris. Which Are becoming increasingly a Jpilar in Europe and the United  All weather radials de signed Lor year round use arc Good for relatively High Speed use in the 100 Mph run gel and they Uear Well. No Mailer what approach you take. It s a Good idea 10 have a set of chains in the trunk and know How to mount them  heading out for inc ski areas on nest Mountain roads in euro i authorities Slop cars ten  Ilijic mind film in Lieal areas unless they Are Chain  " ii you should opt for in i  should buy a set of four inuit european countries require Lour Ami All car makers highly Recu Nimi Iid four. In Germany i Skol l plated car owners Are allowed i ii by with Juil two Snow Liiva bul they must he mounted on i he wheels thai kick out i he Power on Ilu  wheels of a rear wheel drive  Limi i n the t not wheels no j r mini Heel me air and the we inn Vilirie goo for i wins.