How To Drive In Ice & Snow

It finally happened, the first dusting of snow appeared this week in the Albuquerque metro area, and in true New Mexico fashion, it melted within hours. Melloy Dodge wants to take this opportunity to remind our community about safe driving habits when there is snow and ice on the roads. It’s important to know your limits, what driving conditions you prefer to stay away from, and if the risk of driving in those conditions is worth it. 

• Drive Smoothly: This means applying gentle and deliberate pressure to the brake, the gas, and the wheel. 
• Plan Ahead: You are likely driving a route you often take, which can be used to your advantage. Consider all the roads you take, and if you think one may be more dangerous to take in snow and ice conditions, plan by changing your route.
• Read the Road: Does the road look shiny or dull? Are there bare spots, or is there a pretty uniform layer of snow? What’s the temperature- is it cold enough to keep the ground frozen, or is it warm enough for a slushy-like consistency? In general, shiny is bad- meaning ice or water. Dry spots on pavement can lead to a false sense of security, meaning you could assume better traction and let your guard down. 
• Constantly Assess Traction: Areas within the metro see more snow than other parts, and depending on the length of your drive, it’s best to assess your traction constantly. Here at Melloy Dodge, we say it’s better to be more prepared than unprepared, which applies well to driving in the snow. 
• Emergency Driving Kit: When cooler weather hits, we recommend that your winter emergency driving kit be loaded in your car for winter weather emergencies. If you are unsure about what goes into that kit, you can view our previous blog about it here. 

For more driving safety recommendations, you can visit our previous blog, where we went in-depth about things to do when driving in snow and icy conditions. If you haven’t considered snow tires and the benefit they can have if you travel along snow-packed roads often, you can also read about snow tires here. Melloy Dodge hopes everyone’s winter driving season is safe and that these tips help to keep you and your loved ones safe.

Winter Emergency Driving Kit

Emergencies occur when you least expect them, and they can happen to anyone. Melloy Dodge understands the need to be prepared for almost anything, and that includes having a winter emergency driving kit easily accessible within your Dodge, RAM, or Fiat. Since we have yet to receive any snow in the metro or the surrounding mountains, you may be planning a trip up north in search of snow. Melloy Dodge recommends that you and your family travel

with an emergency driving kit that contains the following: 

• A  case of water
• First aid kit
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• Blankets, mittens, hats, and socks
• A tool kit and tire repair kit
• Jumper cables
• Tire chains and snow straps
• Hand warmers 
• Non-perishable snacks; granola bars, protein bars, nuts, and dried fruits, crackers, and packaged tuna or chicken pouches are just a few items, to begin with.

Most of these items can fit well in a duffle bag in the vehicle's rear. Before heading out for your snow adventure, check your bag and update things as they are used. We recommend that your emergency driving kit remains in your vehicle so that if you ever need anything from it, it won't be at home when you are in need. If you are looking for a car that does well off-road and can get you to the places located off the beaten path, come down to Melloy Dodge, and one of our sales associates can help you purchase your new vehicle just in time for the next snow!

Do I Need Snow Tires in New Mexico?

Living in the dry New Mexico climate doesn’t necessarily mean that we never get snow during the winter months. Melloy Dodge and our technicians in the Express Lane have tire information to help you decide whether snow tires are the best choice for your travels. Depending on where you are headed in New Mexico, snow tires could be the safest option to get you there and back safely. 

But, what is the difference between regular tires and snow tires?

Snow tires are uniquely designed to offer more traction and control during wet and frozen driving conditions, whereas regular tires are not. There are notably three main things that set winter tires apart from regular tires:

1. Rubber Composition: winter tires are made with a rubber that is still flexible and soft in cold temperatures. This is especially important to help retain the grip and traction. 
2. Tread Depth & Pattern: winter tires are designed with a deeper tread depth than regular tires. The deeper tread depth improves traction in the snow and reduced snow build-up. Winter tires also have unique tread patterns, which help prevent hydroplaning. Water essentially is pumped out of the tread and is pushed out and away, so your tire is making solid contact with the ground. 
3. Biting Edges: Winter tires have zig-zag patterns, and regular tires do not. This zig-zag pattern acts as biting edges that help grip the road in snow and ice. 

Most new vehicles on Melloy Dodge’s lot have traction control built into their programming, but they don’t create traction. Traction is needed to drive in these conditions, and having winter tires on your vehicle can help keep the guessing game about whether or not you should have winter tires installed. Many places in Northern New Mexico are lucky enough to see a decent amount of snow yearly, while places like Albuquerque and Rio Rancho and the surrounding areas see it now and then. If you wonder whether snow tires are right for you, you can stop in and visit the Express Lane anytime. No appointments are needed!