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DRIVING
TIPS
Winter
driving can be hazardous and stressful. Wind, snow, ice
and blizzard conditions increase the normal dangers of
driving. There is a lot you can do before the winter
driving season and during a storm to protect yourself
and your family.
Before
winter arrives, have your car inspected to be sure it is
ready for the road conditions. You can do this yourself
or take it to a qualified mechanic. Check the battery,
wipers and fluid, thermostat, brakes, ignition system,
antifreeze, exhaust system, lights, oil level, heater
and defrosters. Make sure everything is in good working
order to keep you safe throughout the cold weather.
Check
your tires to be sure they are road ready. Install tires
that are appropriate for the driving conditions. In
moderate amounts of snow, all weather radials will do
the job nicely. If you live in a climate where you
experience a lot of snow, consider snow tires. These
have better tread to deal with snow and ice.
Prepare
an emergency kit to keep in the back of your car. This
will ensure that you are prepared in the event that 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 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 calm
in the event you get stuck.
Charged cell phone (always carry this, especially in the
winter)
Keep your
gas tank at least half full at all times. This adds
weight to the car and will ensure 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 conditions
in the winter months. If the weather is bad, stay home
if at all possible. If you must venture out, travel in
the daylight. You are more likely to find help if you
get stuck during the day. Never warm up your vehicle in
the garage. This releases carbon monoxide, which is
toxic and can kill you.
When
driving, always wear your seatbelt. Wear sunglasses to
protect your eyes from the glare of the sun reflecting
off the snow. Know your car and how it handles in the
snow. Features like traction control and antilock brakes
can be useful in bad weather conditions. Know how these
work and if your car is new, practice driving it in a
snow covered parking lot before venturing out on the
road.
Take it
slow, especially in icy conditions. Don’t tailgate and
be sure to allow a safe distance between vehicles. Do
everything slowly, stopping, accelerating and turning.
Leave plenty of time and space to maneuver. Sliding and
skidding usually happen when turning, stopping or
accelerating. Going extra slow will ensure your safety.
If the
visibility is low, 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 cause
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 sure other
drivers see you.
In the
event your car gets stuck, don’t get out. Put up the
hood and tie your cloth to the antennae. This will make
you more visible to emergency vehicles and other
drivers. Keep the windows, air grill and tail pipe 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 freezing. Move your body
around to stay warm.
Keeping
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 remove salt
and wax to protect the paint. Salt also leaves a coating
on your headlights that can impair their operation. This
will make you less visible to other vehicles. New Lite
Headlight Cleaner and Restorer will return the lights to
like new condition.
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