How to drive safe during the winter season – tips and info

Maintenance

1) Clean off your car (don’t forget the roof, lights, and hood.)

2) Check the following things periodically

• Ignition system
• Fuel system
• Belts
• Hoses
• Fluid levels
• Brakes
• Exhaust system
• Wiper blades
• Defroster
• Antifreeze
• Cooling system
• Battery
• Lights
• Tire tread and pressure

3) Keep your gas above half tank-

-Try and keep your gas at full tank to avoid gas line freezing

4) When checking your tires and treads

-Make sure there is 1/8 inch tire tread & that they’re properly inflated.
-A good idea is to get snow tired or chains for traction.

Be Prepared

1) Keep the following winter supplies-

• Jumper Cables
• Multiple Blankets
• Snow Shovel & scraper
• Flashlight with extra batteries
• Extra Clothing
• High Calorie/non-perishable food (ex: canned nuts, dried fruits, hard candy)
• First aid kit
• Sand or strips of carpet (for traction)
• Tow Rope
• Cell Phone
• A jack, lug wrench, and spare tire

2) Check conditions & weather information before going out

-If the roads are bad, decide if it’s really worth the risk of leaving.
-Only drive when absolutely necessary.

3) Tell someone where you’re going and when your expect to arrive.

4) Brakes – knowing the difference before you drive

-ABS (Automatic breaking system) – If you have this system you should hold the brakes with constant pressure and don’t pump them

-Standard Brakes – If your car isn’t equipped with ABS brakes then you should pump them instead of using constant pressure.

(You’ll find which type you have simply by looking in your driver’s manual.)

Driving safely

• You should always wear it, but make sure you put on a seat belt.
• Reduce your speed
• Speed limit signs are for dry pavement conditions
• Leave plenty of room for stopping
• Brake early, slowly, and smoothly (no sudden stops)
• Leave plenty of room between you and the car ahead of you (8-10 second distance)
• Think ahead while driving. (Slow down early) if you know there’s a big turn ahead
• Don’t use cruise control
• You need control when you lose traction.

1) If you rear wheels skid-

1. Take your foot off the gas
2. Steer where you want the front wheels to go
   -Sliding right – steer right
   -Sliding left – steer left
3. Either pump or apply constant pressure to your brakes (depending on which type you have)(See earlier in article)

2) If your front wheels skid-

1. Take your foot off the gas & shift to neutral, don’t try to steer immediately
2. As your wheels skid sideways the car will slow down & traction will return.
3. After you gain some traction steer in the direction you want to go in.
4. Then shift back into drive or release the clutch, and accelerate gently.

If you get stuck

1. Don’t spin your wheels (they will dig deeper)
2. Turn your wheels back and forth (to get snow out of your way)
3. Accelerate very slowly & gently (ease your way out)
4. Use a shovel to move snow away from your tires
5. Use the sand or carpet strips to get traction
6. Rock the car back and forth (check owners manual before trying this to see if damage would be done to your transmission.

If you become stranded

1. Call 911
2. Stay in your car and don’t leave unless necessary.
3. Only leave if you know where you are
4. Make yourself visible
   -Light flares in front and in back of your car a safe distance away
5. If the exhaust isn’t blocked run the engine in 10 minute intervals for heat. (Watch your gas level though)
6. Keep a window open slightly
   -Snow and ice could seal your vehicle shut.
7. Eat hard candy. This will keep your mouth moist.
8. Avoid overexertion (ex: from pushing your car)

If you’re in an accident

1. See if anyone’s injured
2. Call 911 if necessary
3. Move your car off the road if possible
4. Exchange:
   • Name
   • Address
   • Drive license number
   • Vehicle registration
   • Insurance Information

Insurance

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