Winter Driving Tips
By:
Angelo Olsen
The dog days of summer have come to a close, and the pristine white of
winter is coming. I love this time of the year. The crisp cool air, the
sight of falling snow, snowmen, snowball fights with the kids, it's all
great! There is but one downside and what a downside it is. Driving! The
snow and ice can make this necessity of life miserable and dangerous. There
are some ways that you can make driving in the winter safer for you and your
family.
Here is a short list of items that you should check on your vehicle at the
beginning of winter.
1. Have your battery checked. If you vehicle is having a difficult
time starting in warm weather then you will definitely have troubles come
winter.
2. Check the tread on your tires. Excessively worn tires will give
you very little stopping power. Studded snow tires will give you the best
traction, both for starting and stopping you vehicle. If you have a good set
of all season tires and don't want to spend the extra money on another set
of tires, you can have your tires siped. Siping your tires is the cutting of
groves in your tire tread with specialized equipment. Having the extra
grooves allows for better traction and can improve the life of your tire.
3. Have your cooling system checked. For most areas a 50/50 mix will
work. This means using 50% anti-freeze and 50% water. For some area's you
might want to go with a 70/30 mix. Most gas stations will do this and it
takes only a couple of minutes. You definitely don't want your cooling
system to freeze. Remember when liquids freeze they expand, and there goes
your radiator and maybe even your engine block.
4. Keep your gas tank over half full. If you are to get stranded,
your vehicle could be your only source of heat. Remember, if you are sitting
in your car with it running, make sure to have the windows cracked. This
will allow fresh air to come in and help to prevent you from excessive
carbon monoxide exposure.
5. Regularly check your windshield washer fluid. Keep it full. You
will be amazed at how much washer fluid you use in the coarse of a day,
especially on those warmer winter days when the roads are a mess. It is a
good idea to keep some extra fluid in your vehicle, just in case. I would
recommend buying the good stuff. Frozen washer fluid will do you know good!
6. Check your windshield wipers. Old and warn windshield wipers will
do you no good no matter how much wiper fluid you have. By not being able to
see clearly will only compound the problems associated with winter driving.
7. Keep winter supplies in your vehicle. Invest in a snow brush and
ice scraper for you windshield, and for heavens sakes clear off the entire
windshield and all other windows, not just some little spec that you can
barely see out of! It's also a good idea to carry a shovel and small bag of
sand or cat litter for traction. You never know when this might come in
handy. Throw a blanket and some old winter clothes that you don't regularly
use. And remember to always dress for the weather. It's better to over dress
then to kick yourself when you stranded out in the freezing cold!
8. If you have a cell phone then make sure and keep it charged and with
you whenever you are traveling.
9. SLOW DOWN! Give yourself more driving time during the winter.
Rushing to get to an appointment or to work will also compound the dangers
of winter driving. Its better to get to your destination late then not at
all.
Enjoy this winter and safe driving to all.
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