Rising to see snow on Mount Hermon?

That way you will return home safely

Driving in snow or extreme frost conditions is completely different from what we are used to.

Precisely because it is unusual one has to stop and understand how to do it right

Keenan Cohen

20/01/2022

Thursday, 20 January 2022, 14:15 Updated: 15:53

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If you have one of these, you are set (Photo: Rami Gilboa)

With no real possibility of jumping into Europe to tan your eyes in bright white landscapes, the amounts of snow that have rested in the last day on the northern mountains and those that will still fall later are the big attraction of the current winter.

This coming weekend is expected to bring a lot of visitors to the roads of the Golan Heights who went out to catch some of this white before it disappeared again.

But along with this great fun also comes the difficulty of driving in conditions that are completely different from those to which we are accustomed the rest of the 360 ​​days a year.

So just before you pack your kids in coats and head north - go over these tips.

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To the full article

What is your ventral space and where can you get in without getting into trouble (Photo: Keinan Cohen, Keinan Cohen)

1. Before leaving

Even before we get to the snowy landscapes, there are some preparations that are important to make more at home.

Check your itinerary, try to find out if there are blocked roads or updates at the Netivei Israel traffic center or Israeli police notifications about roadblocks and changes in traffic arrangements.

If there are any, take them seriously and obey them.

Sometimes even if the beginning of the road looks fine to you, there may be areas that are difficult to cross or dangerous along the way.

Severe and stormy weather can cause trees to collapse, mudslides or even sections of the road itself.

In the past, there have also been cases where mines have been swept away from unexcavated minefields.

As a rule, prefer to move in the main axes.

These are the roads that will most likely turn away from the snow.

The most Europe you will have in the near future (Photo: Walla! NEWS system, Rami Gilboa)

2. Equip

No one expects you to set off with snow chains, we are really not in this place in Israel. But there are some things you should throw in the car before going out in the snow anyway and may be useful if you choose to get off the road - which is not recommended unless you know what you are doing.

One simple accessory that can be very useful is a broomstick or something similar in case you got off the trail and decided to turn around. Generally - do not get off the trail, but if there is no choice exploring with the stick before turning will make it easier for you to understand the depth of the snow so that you do not find yourself in a pit or ditch hidden under the snow.

Admittedly a bit extreme, but if you have how to get your hands on the folding shovel - it's better to take and not have to than to have to and not take.

Swap clothes or shoes. If for some reason you got out of the car, slipped, and got wet, the last thing you want to do is drive home wet and frozen.

In cold conditions, your battery does not work optimally.

Equip yourself with a starter booster or cables in case you or anyone else needs help.

Fuel, how trivial is so important.

Make sure you have enough fuel before reaching the snowy areas.

Blocked axis, traffic congestion, navigation error, other disruptions - all of these can get you stuck in the car for hours.

In front of your vehicle there is an opening for connecting a towing ear, find it (Photo: Keinan Cohen, Keinan Cohen)

Get to know the vehicle

In snow-covered areas, it is not uncommon to find homes that have a dedicated "winter vehicle". Usually has dual propulsion, ventral clearance and suitable tires. Most cars in Israel - surprise - are not like that. But there are a few things you should know about your vehicle in case ...

1. What propulsion does your car have? Dual propulsion cars get along better with driving in low grip conditions due to the ability to more efficiently lower the power to the ground. For front-wheel drive cars (most cars) a little harder. In rear-wheel drive cars the situation is better in terms of the ability to move in low grip conditions, however there a higher skill is required in order to control the vehicle.

2. ventral spacing and vulnerabilities. So that you are not surprised by stones hidden under the white snow, it is important that you know and be aware of the height of the bumpers and the vulnerable parts at the bottom of the vehicle. They will dictate where and how far you can advance in the snow.

3. We will touch later on on dragging and simple rescues.

But before that, it's important for you to know where the towing ring connection points are.

They will be noted in the vehicle book and can also be traced using the plastic "caps" behind them is the dot.

The towing ear itself is usually located with your wheel replacement kit and screwed into it.

4. Steam defrost systems.

Make sure you are familiar with the dedicated button or air conditioning mode for defrosting.

5. Maintain proper lighting and headlights as clean as possible

Keep the heavy coat for staying out of the car (Photo: Keinan Cohen, Keinan Cohen)

4. Practice

Despite the wintry weather and the desire to curl up inside the pampering coat.

In the driving itself it is possible to leave it aside.

Use the car heating system to keep you in relatively light clothing, one that does not clutter you.

Once you notice the remnants of snow on the side of the road, it's time to make a switch in your head about your driving.

Keep a much longer distance than usual, look much farther ahead, adapt to driving as smoothly as possible in accelerations, braking, turning the steering wheel, etc.

Avoid gripping the steering wheel tightly so that you can operate it gently and so that you can feel better through it the degree of grip of the car.

It is better to wait until the later hours of the morning (Photo: Official website, Netivei Israel)

"Black ice" is a concept less known in Israel, but abroad it is known as a very dangerous factor. It is a layer of water that freezes on the road, but does not change its appearance. And while the road looks wet, it is actually a very slippery layer of ice. In the early hours of the night and in the morning.

You drive in snowy conditions and in front of you is a convoy - do not overtake. It is very likely that what is hindering the movement is snow leveling or a temporary blockage

. The usual.

Make sure that the radiator openings are not blocked (Photo: Rami Gilboa)

5. Parkers and passengers

If you set out in a day to shorten ranges on the day of the hike itself and you park in a snowy area, try not to park under trees that are prone to collapse or collapse of respectable snow branches.

If possible park in a flat area.

If you park on a slope and there is a sidewalk nearby, turn the steering wheel towards the sidewalk so that the car "leans" on it as well.

Did you leave in the morning and the car is covered in snow?

Take a photo for Instagram and then clear the snow from the windows and, no less important, from the roof.

It also adds weight and may also slide forward in your first brake and block the field of view.

In order to remove a layer of ice from the windshields there is nothing to pour hot water or scrape the windshield by sharp means.

A little tip for removing ice: not with hot or lukewarm water, these will accumulate and freeze again.

Use a plastic bag with hot water, the heat will thaw the ice without creating any more water that will freeze in turn.

On the way make sure the wipers are loose.

And so that they do not get stuck and knocked, the next time you leave the vehicle and there is a danger of freezing - put them on.

Get in the car, wipe the soles of your shoes.

That you will not find that they slide insanely just when you press the brakes.

If you have "snow" mode in the gearbox or in the driving modes of the vehicle, use it, if you did not jump out of place in second gear, using the gear selector also in the automatic transmission.

Good morning, first take a picture and then clear the snow (Photo: Rami Gilboa)

6. Risk reduction

You may like risks, but risks do not really like you.

Before you challenge yourself or the car in driving under difficult conditions make a calculation of "what if".

If your answer is unclear, give it up.

But if you find yourself in a situation where the vehicle gets stuck in the snow, try to pull back on the existing tire route.

Another option is to try to turn the steering wheel to the sides in order to clear snow and level a path ahead.

If you can extricate yourself with another vehicle, anchor the binding means only to the designated points.

Not for body parts, certainly not for the wheel or the steering or suspension arms.

Rescues are done in moderation, never by gas "blows" or pulls that can cause damage and aggravate the situation.

Not every car is ideal for driving in the snow ... (Photo: Nir Ben Tovim, Keinan Cohen)

If for some reason you come across snow and it piles up on the front of the vehicle in a way that blocks air passage, stop and evacuate it, as strange as it may sound - blocking these air passages can cause the vehicle to overheat.

The same is true of clearing snow from brake pads.

If you have driven on roads that have been used with salt or other chemicals to thaw the snow - pamper the vehicle with a thorough flush of the vent.

The last thing you want is all these ingredients in hidden corners where they will sit and start eating the tin.

Have a snowy day and do not forget to drive carefully!

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• The Golan Heights

• Mount Hermon

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