Winter Driving Tips: Driving in the Snow
Driving on snow covered streets can be difficult, even for an experienced driver. To reduce your chances of a experiencing a car accident while driving in the snow, read and follow the safe winter driving tips listed below.
Prepare Your Vehicle for Winter Driving
Since visibility is decreased when driving in the snow, it is important that you keep your windshield clear so that you can see what is happening on the road ahead of you. Always invest in a good set of quality windshield wipers for your car, preferably wipers designed for easy snow removal. Also, make sure that your wiper fluid is always topped off.
If the tread is getting low on your vehicle’s tires, do not attempt to get more miles out of them during the winter months. Replace them immediately. Having very little tread on your tires is already dangerous enough when driving in regular weather conditions. Those dangers double when driving on wet and snow covered roads. Try to schedule a car inspection with a mechanic before driving older cars during winter months.
Remember, even if you have perfect tires on your car, they can easily lose pressure in the cold weather. Make sure, before you hit the roads, that you check your tire pressure and put air in them as needed. Never attempt to drive on icy or wet roads with low tire pressure. Doing so could cause you to have trouble steering your vehicle out on the roadways, which can get very dangerous.
Investing in snow tires or chains is one of the most highly recommended winter driving tips. Chains are far more effective for use when driving on ice or snow covered roadways. Snow tires are also a great option, but you will still need to keep your distance when driving, as snow tires are known to cause a vehicle to slide when driving on snow or ice covered roads.
Make Sure Your Car Has a Full Tank of Gas
Not only does having a full tank of gas add weight to your car, which helps improve traction, but it also helps improve your vehicle’s overall performance when driving during the wintertime. If, for some reason, you are ever stranded in a snowstorm, a full tank of gas should help keep your car running and help keep you warmed up until assistance arrives.
Pack an Emergency Car Kit
When driving during the winter, it is important that you always be prepared for the worst. Here are a few essential items to keep handy in your emergency car kit:
- First Aid Kit
- Blankets
- Fully Charged Cell Phone and Car Charger
- Jumper Cables
- Flashlights
- Snacks (protein bars, nuts, canned food, etc.)
- Water
- AM/FM Radio
- Reflective Triangles or Flares
- Sand or Cat Litter (for tire traction)
- Shovel
Of course, there are always more items that you can add that will meet your needs; however, these items can be used as a guideline when making your own kit.
If you are unsure of what to pack, think of what you would need if you were suddenly stranded in the cold on the side of the road. To make things easy, some retailers these days even sell vehicle emergency kits that are already prepared with basic essentials motorists will need should they become stranded on the roads – one of the most useful winter driving tips.
Drive Safely – Be a Defensive Driver
Speeding on icy roads is just asking for trouble. Keep a safe speed at all times. That way, if you need to stop, you do not need to slam on the breaks suddenly to do so. If you do, you could lose control of your car. Instead, tap on your brakes to stop slowly.
If you are driving a manual transmission car, downshifting works well when you want to come to a slow stop. Always wear your safety belt. You may be a safe and cautious driver, but the people you are sharing the roads with may not be.
For drivers that still don’t feel safe driving during the cold winter months despite these winter driving tips, they might want to consider using an auto shipping company to avoid the risk of driving in extreme weather. Car transporters have the experience necessary to drive in most severe snowy climates.
