Saskatchewan Class 7 Learner's Driving Test Winter Driving Saskatchewan 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What should you do before driving your vehicle on a cold Saskatchewan winter morning?
- Drive immediately to warm up the engine faster
- Clear all snow and ice from windows, mirrors, lights, hood, and roof before driving (Correct answer)
- Only clear the driver's side windshield
- Just use the defroster while driving
Correct answer: Clear all snow and ice from windows, mirrors, lights, hood, and roof before driving
You must clear all snow and ice from every window, mirror, and light for full visibility. Snow left on the roof can slide onto your windshield while driving or fly off and hit vehicles behind you.
Question 2: What gear should you use when driving on flat, icy Saskatchewan roads?
- The highest gear possible
- A lower gear than normal to maintain traction and control (Correct answer)
- Neutral to coast
- Reverse for better traction
Correct answer: A lower gear than normal to maintain traction and control
Driving in a lower gear provides better engine braking and helps maintain control. It prevents the vehicle from gaining too much speed and reduces the need for brake application on ice.
Question 3: How do Saskatchewan winter conditions affect visibility for other drivers seeing your vehicle?
- They improve visibility with the white contrast
- Dirty, snow-covered vehicles are hard to see, especially in falling snow or against snow-covered landscapes (Correct answer)
- Winter conditions have no effect on vehicle visibility
- Only dark-coloured vehicles are affected
Correct answer: Dirty, snow-covered vehicles are hard to see, especially in falling snow or against snow-covered landscapes
Snow-covered and dirty vehicles blend into the winter landscape. Ensure your lights are clean and on, and keep your vehicle clear of snow so other drivers can see you.
Question 4: What causes frost heaves on Saskatchewan roads and how should you respond?
- They are speed bumps installed for winter
- Ground freezing causes uneven pavement lifting; slow down to maintain vehicle control (Correct answer)
- They are caused by snowplows; drive over them quickly
- They only occur on gravel roads
Correct answer: Ground freezing causes uneven pavement lifting; slow down to maintain vehicle control
Frost heaves occur when moisture in the ground freezes and expands, pushing up sections of pavement unevenly. They can cause loss of vehicle control at highway speeds if you do not slow down.
Question 5: Why is it important to keep your fuel tank at least half full during Saskatchewan winters?
- Fuel burns faster in winter
- A fuller tank reduces condensation that can freeze in fuel lines, and ensures you have fuel if stranded (Correct answer)
- Half a tank weighs more for traction
- It does not matter
Correct answer: A fuller tank reduces condensation that can freeze in fuel lines, and ensures you have fuel if stranded
A fuller tank reduces the air space where condensation can form and freeze in fuel lines. It also ensures you have fuel for warmth if you become stranded in a storm.
Question 6: What is the danger of using cruise control on icy or snowy Saskatchewan roads?
- It saves fuel on winter roads
- If a wheel loses traction, cruise control may accelerate the wheel, causing a dangerous spin or skid (Correct answer)
- It is perfectly safe on winter roads
- It wears out the transmission
Correct answer: If a wheel loses traction, cruise control may accelerate the wheel, causing a dangerous spin or skid
Cruise control can detect a loss of speed from wheel slip and automatically accelerate, which can cause a dangerous skid. Always maintain manual control of your speed on winter roads.
Saskatchewan Class 7 Learner's Driving Test Winter Driving Saskatchewan 4
What should you do before driving your vehicle on a cold Saskatchewan winter morning?