Rüsselsheim. As winter sports fans look forward to – and others wait nervously for – the first snowfall, now is the time for drivers to prepare for slippery, treacherous roads in the cold months ahead. Drivers need to prepare their cars and start thinking about changing the way they drive. Proper planning, practical Opel features and accessories along with a good dose of foresight can take much of the danger out of winter driving.
As a rule, avoid abrupt braking, gear changes and steering maneuvers on slick roads. Instead, drive slower, more defensively and maintain distance to vehicles ahead. Release the clutch carefully or engage second gear when starting off to avoid wheel spin. Select the winter program on automatic transmissions, if your car offers it.
Opel’s common sense tips for unpredictable weather
Tips for winter-proofing the car:
As a rule, avoid abrupt braking, gear changes and steering maneuvers on slick roads. Instead, drive slower, more defensively and maintain distance to vehicles ahead. Release the clutch carefully or engage second gear when starting off to avoid wheel spin. Select the winter program on automatic transmissions, if your car offers it.
Opel’s common sense tips for unpredictable weather
Tips for winter-proofing the car:
- Change to winter tires in good time. Their specific rubber composition and special tread has a better grip on snow and ice that ensures good traction and a shorter braking distance.
- Make sure windshield wipers are clean and smooth and water jets are unobstructed. A quality anti-freeze should be formulated to -20 degrees Celsius.
- Replace old batteries. Opel batteries feature excellent cold-start capability, are maintenance-free and offer full-power performance even for many short trips.
- Check that lighting works faultlessly. Regularly clean the headlamp housings – with xenon and some halogen systems, the high-pressure cleaning function takes care of this. A winter check up at any Opel Service Partner can help.
- Clear the whole car of ice and snow before setting off. Remember to also clean the roof to prevent flying snow from endangering following cars or sliding forward and obscuring the driver’s visibility during heavy braking. All windows, particularly the windshield, must be completely free of ice. The most effective way to clear windows is with an ice scraper or diluted antifreeze windshield washer fluid.
Safe braking and lighting key to safety in winter
- Test brakes when first setting out to get a feel for the road conditions – but check in the rear-view mirror first.
- Should the car start to swerve on a snow-covered road, do not brake suddenly. Instead, engage the clutch to give the wheels more cornering stability, counter-steer and brake lightly if needed.
Opel cars are already well-equipped for the winter. For example, the new Astra features ABS with cornering brake control, traction control and ESPPlus as standard.
Lighting is important: Drivers must be seen as much as they need to see the road and possible obstacles. Daytime running lamps ensure optimal visibility and adaptive braking lights warn the car behind by blinking when ABS engages.
In the winter months, many commuters in northern and central Europe drive almost solely in the dark, making optimal lighting extremely important. Opel has been an industry leader in lighting systems with the introduction of Adaptive Forward Lighting in all segments. It offers affordable halogen curves and turning lights in the Corsa (400 euros in Germany) and the Meriva for instance, or the most sophisticated bi-xenon AFL+ with nine lighting functions, such as adverse weather light and high beam assist on the new Astra and the Insignia (1,250 euros in Germany).
Enhanced all-weather stability with Opel all-wheel drive systems
Four-wheel drive can make a world of difference – and not just on snow-covered mountain passes. It also aids drivers in wet autumn weather on slippery roads. The Opel Insignia 4x4 and Antara four-wheel drive boast very stable handling performance and optimum traction.
The Insignia with FlexRide and Adaptive 4x4 brings extra driving stability even before the electronic stability program (ESP) kicks in. The FlexRide premium mechatronic chassis ensures optimal road holding, while two electronically controlled limited slip differentials send power to the wheels with the best traction. Drivers can turn off the traction control if they need to free a vehicle stuck in deep snow. Turning off the traction control (which can be done by using the ESP button) allows desired wheel spin that helps the vehicle exit a slippery spot.
The Insignia with FlexRide and Adaptive 4x4 brings extra driving stability even before the electronic stability program (ESP) kicks in. The FlexRide premium mechatronic chassis ensures optimal road holding, while two electronically controlled limited slip differentials send power to the wheels with the best traction. Drivers can turn off the traction control if they need to free a vehicle stuck in deep snow. Turning off the traction control (which can be done by using the ESP button) allows desired wheel spin that helps the vehicle exit a slippery spot.
- Even with four-wheel drive vehicles, driving behavior must be adjusted to prevailing weather conditions. Good traction should not be a temptation to drive aggressively.
- Sometimes even the best winter tires aren’t enough – for instance in alpine ski areas. In these cases, snow chains are the answer. It is important to fit the chains before beginning an uphill drive and remove them as soon as the road is clear otherwise the chains, tires and road can be damaged. It is a good idea to practice fitting snow chains at least once before they are actually needed. Opel offers chains specifically designed for its vehicles starting at 76.00 euros in Germany.
Practical Opel features and accessories enhance winter safety and comfort
Safety and comfort in the cabin are just as important. Heated seats and a heated steering wheel are a must for those cold winter mornings. Also available for those whose car stays outside in cold climates, a fuel-fired auxiliary car heater system with remote control and a timer can be an asset. An air conditioner, too, ensures faster fog-free windows by dehumidifying the air.
As driving in the dark is notoriously tiring, drivers welcome the relief of the Opel’s new back-friendly ergonomic seats with the seal of approval from AGR (Action for Healthy Backs), which are available in the new Astra for 500 euros in Germany. They are standard in the Insignia Sport version and optional in other variants. They can be ordered with multi-stage seat heating for the driver and front passenger.
With the right preparation, winter doesn’t have to be a chore. Winter sports enthusiasts appreciate the wide selection of Thule roof boxes available for the new Astra and many other Opel models.
It is important to properly secure all loads, as skis and other equipment can turn into lethal objects if dislodged by the wind, speed or vibrations or in the event of a collision.
In the trunk, a durable, semi-rigid molded Hard Cargo Tray can hold snowy boots and other winter gear to keep the rest of the luggage compartment dry. When the winter outing comes to an end, the tray can be easily removed for cleaning – ready for the next adventure in the snow.
With the right preparation, winter doesn’t have to be a chore. Winter sports enthusiasts appreciate the wide selection of Thule roof boxes available for the new Astra and many other Opel models.
It is important to properly secure all loads, as skis and other equipment can turn into lethal objects if dislodged by the wind, speed or vibrations or in the event of a collision.
In the trunk, a durable, semi-rigid molded Hard Cargo Tray can hold snowy boots and other winter gear to keep the rest of the luggage compartment dry. When the winter outing comes to an end, the tray can be easily removed for cleaning – ready for the next adventure in the snow.
Source: GM Media
