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Meeting the Challenges of Winter Driving

For 60 years, Land Rover has built the world's toughest off-road vehicles traversing remote terrain and surviving extreme environments. Land Rover's legendary 4WD capability, effortless performance and advanced technology give you the confidence to navigate icy winter roads safely. But good vehicle preparation, knowledge and driving technique are also critical and this guide gives you some winter driving tips to ensure your journey is as safe, enjoyable and hazard-free as possible.

ADVANCED PREPARATION

* Book your vehicle in for a pre-winter check. Only your local Land Rover Retailer such as Trivett Land Rover Parramatta can offer a comprehensive check by factory trained Land Rover technicians.
* Make sure your tyres are properly inflated. Over-inflation can reduce the gripping action of tyres because the tread will not meet the road surface as it was designed to do.
* Learn to read the terrain. Bridges and overpasses ice over faster than normal roads. Why? The earth is warm and normal roads have the warmth of the earth underneath. Shady areas cool more quickly than areas in full sun. The shadows from large trees, buildings and mountains can cause isolated icy spots.
* Distilled to their essence, the challenges of winter driving can be defined by two key factors; reduced visibility and reduced traction. Combined, they make winter driving more hazardous than driving in other seasons.
 

GOOD VISIBILITY

* Reduced visibility means you have to budget extra time for every drive. Also time to clear snow, ice or frost from the windows.
* Before you set out, scrape the ice and snow from every window and the exterior rear view mirrors, to maximise your view in Land Rover's command driving position.
* Don't forget to remove the snow from headlights and brake lights as well.
* Use a proper windscreen scraper or de-icer to remove ice from your vehicle.
* Do not use warm water as this may cause your windscreen to crack.
* Do not drive with the heater in re-circulation mode. Doing so re-circulates interior air that keeps increasing humidity.
 

GOOD TRACTION & SMOOTH DRIVING

* Traction is the key to every movement your vehicle makes. Permanent 4WD and Electronic Traction Control helps, but remember, all the control you have is delivered through four palm-sized patches of rubber where the tyres meet the road.
* To maintain maximum traction, it is essential to keep the tyres rolling and not allow them to spin or slide.
* When accelerating, tip into the accelerator pedal gently. If you do sense wheel-spin, ease back on the pedal immediately until you feel the tyres grip again.
* Apply the same principle when braking. Brake gently at first, then increase the pedal pressure progressively. You can brake quite hard, as long as the application is smooth.
* Hill Descent Control will take the guesswork out of steep, slippery slopes by automatically braking to maintain a steady descent speed.
* Brake before you turn into a corner, steer through the corner at a safe speed, then accelerate again when you straighten up. Don't steer if you are braking or accelerating and vice versa.
* ABS and Electronic Brakeforce Distribution systems in Land Rover vehicles can help if you have to brake hard in an emergency. Just keep your foot hard on the brake pedal and the system automatically applies and releases the brakes for you.
 

EXTRA EQUIPMENT

It is advisable to carry some extra equipment when driving in poor winter conditions.

* Heavy duty jump leads.
* Good quality tow rope.
* First aid kit.
* High quality torch (with long life/spare batteries).
* Snow chains. All Land Rovers are permanent 4WD and have good traction in
most winter conditions. Snow chains should be fitted to the front wheels to improve traction and steering on very icy roads.
* Light bulb kit and fuse range.
* Can of de-icer and a windscreen scraper.
* High energy food and drink.

To get a look at some 'Best Breaks'- 3 to 4 minute mini video guides of scenic spots, country towns, beaches and national parks, featuring the Discovery 3 please click here.

For more information on any car from the Land Rover range please contact Trivett Land Rover City & Eastern Suburbs on (02) 8338 2122.