Ford’s Winter Safe School: Honing Winter Driving Skills
Are your winter driving skills up to snuff? Even experienced drivers can benefit from brushing up on techniques, especially with the advancements in vehicle technology. Ford recently invited me to Team O’Neil’s Winter Safe School in Dalton, New Hampshire, to do just that.
My initial apprehension quickly evaporated when Ford offered a 2024 Ranger Raptor for the journey from my home in Connecticut. The itinerary included driving various Ford performance vehicles during the course, providing a varied and exciting experience. Over a few days I had the opportunity to test these machines under challenging winter conditions.
The Ford Fleet
During the Winter Safe School, we tested out four distinct Ford performance vehicles:
- Explorer ST: This vehicle with a 400-hp 3.0-liter EcoBoost V6 engine, sport-tuned suspension, and performance front and rear brake calipers delivered a family-friendly yet exhilarating driving experience.
- Ranger Raptor: This desert racing-inspired pickup boasts a 405-hp V6 EcoBoost engine, advanced four-wheel-drive, and a long-travel suspension with FOX Live Valve Shocks. Multiple driving modes and tech features allow the driver to tune the vehicle to the conditions.
- Mustang Mach-E Rally: This rally-inspired EV delivered impressive speed with its dual-motor all-wheel-drive producing 480 hp and 700 lb-ft of torque and the lowest center of gravity. A RallySport mode optimized the suspension, throttle response, and damping.
- Bronco Raptor: Sharing the same powertrain as the Ranger Raptor, the Bronco Raptor features a Raptor HOSS suspension and 37-inch all-terrain tires making it excellent for off-road driving.
Curriculum and Training
The Winter Safe School blended classroom sessions with hands-on driving. The instructors provided comprehensive answers to our questions and a workbook with the course materials. We were enthusiastic to put what we learned into practice on the snow, ice, slush, mud, and gravel.
Each training section featured two students, working in tandem with an instructor. This allowed the second student the ability to observe and learn with the other student. The basic skills we worked on were acceleration, braking, and steering.
Mastering the Skid Pad
On the skid pad, we practiced using the brake and accelerator to control the car’s circular motion. The goal was to apply these techniques while keeping the steering wheel steady and maintaining focus on the direction we wanted to go. We learned that on a slippery surface, the brake pedal could turn the car and the accelerator could straighten it.
The Slalom Course
The slalom course challenged us to focus on the next turning point while carefully using the brakes for turns and the gas/electric pedal to go in a straight line. The point of the course wasn’t about speed but about maintaining the necessary skills.
Accident Avoidance Drills
The accident avoidance training focused on stopping before or maneuvering around obstacles. We first experienced the full braking power of the cars’ ABS systems and then practiced braking hard and driving around pylons. The instructors then added a challenge; after the ‘Stop!’ command, they would yell “Left” or “Right” and our success in avoiding the obstacle depended on our quick reflexes. This was where we had the opportunity to practice steering and counter-steering too.
