| Winter driving is challenging for most motorists. | | | | speed to the prevailing road conditions, the four |
| Whether you live in a state that sees a lot of | | | | key elements of winter driving become easier to |
| snow and ice every winter, or you live further | | | | master. The elements are steering, acceleration, |
| south where you may only have a few weeks of | | | | braking and skid control. The key is to use |
| nasty weather, winter driving can be hazardous. | | | | smooth inputs of the steering wheel, the |
| Weather conditions can be unpredictable, placing | | | | accelerator and the brake. |
| extra demands on your vehicle and your driving | | | | Steering: |
| skills. To ensure your driving safety this winter | | | | Initial movement of the steering wheel is |
| season, you must be prepared. As in so many | | | | important. Begin turning the wheel gently, then |
| circumstances in life a little preparation before | | | | accelerate the rate of motion once the turn is |
| hand can make all the difference later on. | | | | initiated, if it is necessary. Too much steering is |
| Getting your vehicle ready for winter driving | | | | bad. If a slick section in a turn causes your front |
| conditions is relatively easy and inexpensive. One | | | | tires to lose grip, the common - but incorrect |
| factor that is often overlooked is the importance | | | | reaction is to continue turning the steering wheel, |
| of maintaining correct pressure in your tires. | | | | causing the tire to lose additional traction. A little |
| Maintaining the proper pressure helps optimize fuel | | | | bit of steering goes a very long way in an |
| economy and tire performance. In fact, correct | | | | emergency. |
| tire pressure boosts ride comfort along with | | | | Acceleration: |
| performance and durability of your tires. Under | | | | The first few fractions of an inch of pedal travel |
| inflated tires can compromise both safety and | | | | are critical. Start slowly; once the vehicle is rolling, |
| fuel-efficiency. | | | | increase pressure on the accelerator; keep it |
| One of the important external factors governing | | | | below the wheel-spin threshold. |
| tire pressure is temperature change. In fact, for | | | | Braking: |
| every 10-degree change in temperature, a tire | | | | Brake before you turn into a corner, steer |
| can lose approximately one pound per square inch | | | | through the corner at a safe speed, and then |
| (PSI). So, while your tires were properly inflated all | | | | accelerate again when you straighten out of it. Do |
| summer, they now will require additional air to | | | | not accelerate or brake when in a turn. |
| maintain the proper pressure as the temperature | | | | Skid Control: |
| begins to fall. | | | | If your car begins to skid remember to look and |
| Winter Driving Preparedness | | | | steer where you want to go! Counter steer into a |
| Sometimes the best tip for winter driving is just | | | | skid as necessary, but do not shift the |
| to stay at home, or at least remain where you | | | | transmission and stay off the brake and gas |
| are until snow plows and sanding trucks have had | | | | pedals. |
| time to do their work. If you chance driving in a | | | | Other Winter Driving Hints:o It is a good idea to |
| heavy storm and crash on a snowy or icy road, | | | | let someone know your travel route and when |
| you'll certainly be late arriving at your destination | | | | you are expected to arrive.o Be careful not to |
| anyway or maybe not at all. But since you can't | | | | waste battery power when engine is not running. |
| always call take a day off, it's better to learn how | | | | Balance electricity energy needs: the use of lights, |
| to correctly deal with driving in the snow. The | | | | heat and radio.o Be extra alert on residential |
| most important thing you can do before anything | | | | streets. Snowdrifts can hide children or other |
| else is to prepare your vehicle for winter by | | | | vehicles.o Give snow plows plenty of room to do |
| stocking it with necessary supplies and performing | | | | their job safely. Be patient and follow at a safe |
| normal maintenance. | | | | distance.o Be watchful for "black ice." If the road |
| Things Every Car Needs in the Wintero Chains or | | | | ahead looks slick, it probably is. Bridges, areas in |
| winter-specific tires (called "winter tires" by tire | | | | the shade, off-ramps, and intersections are all |
| makers) are necessary to provide adequate snow | | | | likely areas for black ice. Be cautious when |
| traction. These tires provide superior traction over | | | | approaching these areas, and be alert for any |
| all-season tires. Winter tires are best for drivers | | | | sudden loss of traction. Black Ice is most |
| that will have to face snowy roads for several | | | | prevalent in the early morning hours. Test the |
| months. Drivers that won't see a lot of snow | | | | traction with a smooth brake application when |
| may opt to carry chains that can be applied to | | | | safe to do so.o There is absolutely nothing more |
| their all-season tires in an emergency. | | | | dangerous than freezing rain on a roadway. While |
| High-performance "summer" tires have little or no | | | | uncommon in most areas, when freezing rain |
| grip in snow. If your vehicle has this type of tire, | | | | occurs, roads become virtual skating rinks. Avoid |
| consider changing them now before the first | | | | all driving during freezing rain conditions, if |
| snow. When you buy winter tires, buy four.o | | | | possible.o Remember, using handheld cell phones |
| Good wiper blades are a must for winter driving. | | | | or other devices quadruples the chance of an |
| This is a quick and easy fix that can make a huge | | | | accident.o Children who weigh less than 80 pounds |
| difference in the safety of your vehicle. There's | | | | and use adult seatbelts are almost four times |
| nothing worse than turning on your wipers only to | | | | more likely to be seriously injured in vehicle |
| find that six months of sun have rendered them | | | | crashes than kids riding in booster seats. Make |
| virtually worthless in a snow storm. Make sure | | | | sure young children use an approved child seat. |
| your windshield washer system works and is full | | | | If You Do Become Stranded: |
| of an anti-icing fluid and clean the inside of your | | | | Even after proceeding very carefully and applying |
| windows thoroughly. This will help when visibility is | | | | all of your driving skills, you still find yourself |
| poor. Consider carrying an extra bottle of | | | | stranded. You may be stuck in a parking lot late |
| windshield fluid in your vehicle.o Keep your gas | | | | at night, alongside a desolate rural road, or even in |
| tank at the very least half-full. (most important if | | | | a ditch. |
| you are stranded in your vehicle.o Charged cell | | | | This is where the preparation that was mentioned |
| phone with 12 volt charger.o Have a good spare | | | | earlier becomes a major factor.o Do not leave |
| tire, wheel wrench and proper jack for your | | | | your car unless you know exactly where you are, |
| vehicle.o Blankets or warm clothing. These should | | | | how far it is to help, and are certain you will |
| always be in your car, but are doubly important | | | | improve your situation by leaving.o To attract |
| to have in the winter. Don't forget your warm | | | | attention, light two flares and place one at each |
| gloves.o Fresh radiator antifreeze. Make sure that | | | | end of the car a safe distance away and hang a |
| your engine coolant levels are correct and that | | | | brightly colored cloth from your antenna.o After |
| your fluid is ready for the winter.o A "Survival Kit" | | | | checking for a blocked exhaust pipe, run the |
| such as the Deluxe Auto Emergency Kit. This kit | | | | engine and heater for about 10 minutes every |
| should always remain in the vehicle and it contains | | | | hour or so depending upon the amount of gas in |
| sufficient equipment to help you through an | | | | the tank. (glad you filled the tank now, aren't you) |
| emergency situation. Replenish after use.o | | | | Check for snow blocked exhaust pipe regularly.o |
| Non-perishable, high energy foods like unsalted | | | | To protect yourself from hypothermia use |
| canned nuts, dried fruits, hard candy or an | | | | woollen clothes and blankets to keep warm in |
| emergency food and drinking water kit. These | | | | your vehicle.o Keep at least one window open |
| food and water kits have a 5-year shelf life.o An | | | | slightly for ventilation while running heater.o Raise |
| emergency supply of any necessary medications. | | | | the hood to indicate you need help, after snow |
| You may be away from home longer than you | | | | stops falling. |
| think.o Wooden stick matches in a waterproof | | | | By preparing ourselves and our vehicles for winter |
| container or a Zippo Lighter. | | | | driving now, before we are involved in a winter |
| Driving In Snow and Ice: | | | | storm emergency, we will all be more confident |
| First and foremost, always adjust your driving | | | | of surviving winter's worst. |
| speed to existing conditions. If you adjust your | | | | |