How You Can Prepare Yourself for Winter Driving

As the weather turns colder you are probably thinking about how to prepare yourself for driving in snow and ice. Severe weather can make driving not only frightening, but dangerous as well. Preparing yourself and your car for winter driving conditions is one way to stay safe on the roads, but you should also know when you shouldn’t be driving at all.

How to Plan a Winter Drive

If you do have to drive in the winter you want to make sure you are well rested. Get plenty of rest before taking the trip to help reduce driving risks. Check your car’s fluid levels and tire pressures. Always keep at least a half a tank of gas in your car. Before heading out on your trip pay attention to the weather forecasts for the areas you will be driving in. Pack a winter survival kit to keep in your car, include insulated blankets, emergency numbers, shovel, clothes, food, water, and medications.

What to do if Stranded

If you break down in the middle of nowhere during a storm you want to stay with your vehicle. Tie a brightly colored cloth to the antenna to act as a signal.  If you are stuck in the snow don’t over exert yourself trying to dig or push your car out of the snow. Keep the exhaust pipe clear of snow and ice to prevent carbon monoxide from leaking into the car when it is running. Only run the car’s engine long enough to take off the chill.

Driving in the Snow

When driving in the snow make sure to drive slowly and never in a hurry. Everything from starting and stopping takes longer on snowy roads. Following distance needs to be increased to ten seconds so you have a longer distance if you have to stop suddenly. Avoid coming to a stop on hills. Never slam on the brakes or push hard on the accelerator as that can increase the risk of fishtailing.

If you are going to drive in the snow the most important thing you need to learn is how to avoid driving in the snow. If you don’t have to go out in the snow then don’t. You might know how to drive on snow-covered roads, but other drivers might not. Pay attention to weather forecasts, if a severe storm is going to be hitting soon do your errands before the storm hits. If you are planning a long distance trip and the weather is unfavorable delay your trip until the weather is more favorable.

No matter how much work you put into preparing for winter in Toledo you can still end up in a car accident. No matter what kind of winter driving advice you are giving there are some things you just can’t control, such as freezing rain or black ice. If you are involved in a winter crash, bring your vehicle to Yark Body Shop.