We all know that you need to take special precautions while driving during the winter months. Here is a quick refresher on some winter driving tips that will help you make it through the season.
- Road conditions can change quickly and you need to be prepared for whatever Mother Nature throws at you. In the winter months, you should keep your gas tank at least half full at all times. If you get stuck on the side of the road or in a road closure, you definitely don’t want to run out of gas. If you do get stuck, it is usually best to stay in your car and run the engine for short periods to provide heat. You shouldn’t run your engine constantly and you need to periodically clear the snow from your exhaust pipe to reduce the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
- SLOW DOWN! Your tires don’t have good contact with the road and your braking distance increases significantly when the weather and road conditions are bad. Give yourself extra room between you and the car in front of you and keep your speed appropriate for the conditions.
- Keep an emergency kit in your car with blankets, a flashlight, emergency flares, protein bars and water. This will help you stay warm and hydrated if you happen to get stuck.
- Along with having good tires, you want to make sure they are properly inflated. This will have a big impact on how well your tires grip the road.
- NEVER use the cruise control unless the roads are dry. The cruise control could cause the engine to accelerate suddenly and cause you to lose control on a slippery road.
- If you happen to get into a skid, turn INTO the skid. This means you should turn your wheel in the direction you want the vehicle to go. You should also let off the gas and DO NOT apply the brakes. Applying the brakes will make the skid worse and could cause you to spin out
- Always remember, when the weather is really bad sometimes the best option is to just stay home
BATTERIES
Your battery has to work extremely hard to get your car started on a cold morning. Not only is a cold engine harder to start, the battery has less energy in colder temperatures. When your battery is weak it might start your engine OK during warmer temperatures but on cold mornings you might get stuck. Sometimes, you might notice your engine is cranking slower and sometimes your battery gives out without any warning. If you’re noticing your engine doesn’t start as quickly or if your battery is over 4 years old, you might consider replacing it. Addison Auto Repair can test your battery to make sure you don’t get stranded.
TIRES
As the snow starts to fly, having good tread on your tires is even more important. Did you know that in Colorado, you may now be fined if you are involved in an accident and you don’t have adequate tires on your vehicle? Fines range from $132 to $650 (if you cause a lane closure).
When your tires are low on tread, they just can’t hold onto the road as well so it is critical that you have good tread on your tires. Tires are considered legally bald when the tread is down to 2/32nd of an inch. Realistically, tires are not very efficient even before they are down to the minimum. You should consider replacing your tires when they are worn to between 3-4/32nds. If you frequently travel into the mountains, you also might consider installing snow tires to get enhanced traction in the snow.
WINDSHIELD WIPERS
Make sure your wipers are in good condition and clearing the windshield well. After a snowfall, be sure to clear the snow from the windshield before operating the wipers to prevent damage to the wiper arms and mechanism. You should also clear snow from all windows and make sure to get the headlights and taillights are clear when getting ready to drive so you can see and others can see you.
