DENVER (KDVR) — Driving in the winter is a different beast, especially when some of the most common advice for driving in the snow and cold isn’t always accurate.
With much of the country set to deal with snow, ice, and bitter-cold temperatures, Nexstar’s KDVR reviewed some of the most common winter driving myths.
Every driver should pump their brakes on ice
The age-old advice of pumping brakes while on ice isn’t always true for drivers nowadays.
Pumping the brakes, when the driver steps on the brake pedal multiple times in a row to stop the wheels from locking up, is an old-fashioned way to prevent skidding on ice that can be counterproductive for many cars.
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According to Skyler McKinley from AAA, anti-lock braking systems, which pump the brakes for you, have become a standard since the 1990s. These days, most cars have anti-locking brakes, but it’s best to check the manual to make sure.
So, when cars with anti-lock brakes are on ice, the best practice is to apply steady pressure.
Gas freezes if you don’t have enough in the tank
This myth is close but not necessarily true.
McKinley said the gas in the tank won’t freeze until temperatures hit 50 degrees below zero, which means drivers will most likely not be finding a block of gas in the tank anytime soon.
However, your gas tank can freeze, so drivers should keep more gas in the tank in the winter. According to McKinley, this can help minimize the space in the tank for water condensate to form. That condensation could enter your fuel line and freeze, preventing your vehicle from starting and damaging the fuel line.
“The more gas in your tank, the less likelihood that condensate will have a place to form,” said McKinley.
You need to let your car warm up before you drive
Cars used to need to idle for the carburetors to work and for oils to warm up, but with new technology, as long as your vehicle isn’t older than the early 1990s, you probably don’t need to let your car thaw before you hit the road.
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The U.S. Department of Energy notes that guidance from most car manufacturers says your vehicle is ready to drive after 30 seconds of warming up.
However, it can take your engine between five and 15 minutes to completely warm up, according to Business Insider. If it’s an extremely cold day, it may not be a bad idea to let your car run for more than 30 seconds before driving off, according to Todd Wenzel Chevrolet, a dealership in Michigan.
No matter where you’re heading in the winter, be sure to check the forecast and road conditions before you head out, as even these debunked myths won’t help much if the roads are a mess.
Nexstar’s Addy Bink contributed to this report.