Before winter appears, have your car inspected to be sure it is ready for the road conditions. You can do this by yourself or take it to a qualified mechanic. Check the battery, wipers, fluid, thermostat, brakes, ignition system, antifreeze, exhaust system, lights, oil level, heater, and defrosters. Make sure everything is in great working order to keep you safe throughout the cold weather.
Check your tires to be certain they are road-ready. Install tires that are suitable for driving conditions. In moderate quantities of snow, all-weather radials will do the job nicely. If you live in a climate where you encounter a lot of snow, consider snow tires. These have better tread to deal with snow and ice.
Prepare an emergency kit to retain in the back of your car. This will guarantee that you are prepared if you get stuck in the snow. Things to include in the kit:
Ice scraper
Small broom
Small shovel
Kitty litter or a bag of sand (to give traction if you get stuck in snow or ice)
Blankets or a sleeping bag
Flashlight with batteries
Flares or warning triangles
Plastic bags
First aid kit
Tool kit
Jumper cables
Bright cloth to use as a flag
Help sign for the back window
Extra hat and gloves
Food and water to sustain you if you get stuck
A book, Bible or Prayer Cards to keep you busy and relaxed in the event you get stuck.
Charged cell phone (always carry this, particularly in the winter)
Retain your gas tank at least half full at all times. This adds weight to the car and will assure that you won’t run out of gas in the event you get stuck.↚
Driving in the Snow
Pay attention to the weather forecasts and road states in the winter months. If the weather is bad, stay home if at all possible. If you need venture out, travel in the daylight. You are more likely to find help if you get stuck throughout the day. Never heat up your vehicle in the garage. This frees carbon monoxide, which is toxic and can kill you.
While driving, always wear your seatbelt. Wear sunglasses to guard your eyes against the glare of the sun reflecting off the snow. Know your car and how it manages in the snow. Features like traction control and antilock brakes can be beneficial in bad weather conditions. Know how these work and if your car is brand new, practice driving it in a snow-covered parking lot before venturing out on the road.
Take it slow, particularly in icy conditions. Don’t tailgate and be certain to allow a safe distance between vehicles. Do everything slowly, stopping, accelerating and turning. Leave lots of time and space to maneuver. Sliding and skidding normally happen when turning, stopping or accelerating. Going more slowly will ensure your safety.↚
If the visibility is weak, slow down even more. Consider getting off highways and driving even slower. This will take you out of the path of large trucks that can affect accidents. Use only your low beams, as your high beams will reflect back off the snow and won’t increase your visibility. Turn on your hazard lights to be positive that other drivers see you.
If your car gets stuck, don’t get out. Put up the hood then tie your cloth to the antennae. This will make you more visible to emergency vehicles and other drivers. Keep the windows, air grill and tailpipe clear of snow. Wrap up in blankets and huddle up with passengers to stay warm. Run the heat for fifteen minutes each hour to keep from icing. Move your body around to stay warm.
Maintaining your car clean throughout the winter is important. Salt on the roads is important for safety but will wreak havoc on the finish. If left on for long periods, it can cause rusting. Wash your vehicle weekly to separate salt and wax to protect the paint. Salt too leaves a coating on your headlights that can impair their operation. This will make you less apparent to other vehicles. New Lite Headlight Cleaner and Restorer will return the lights to like new condition.
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