WINTER DRIVER 101: A COMPLETE GUIDE FOR STAYING SAFE AND READY

This winter driving guide includes

• What to do in an emergency?
• Tips for driving that will keep you and your loved ones safe.
• A comprehensive checklist for getting your vehicle “winterized.”
• Seven easy DIY maintenance items you should be aware of during winter.
• Things to include in your emergency kit that we often overlook.
• States are using new technology to keep travelers safe.

Winter Driving 101 – The Complete Guide to Staying Safe and Ready

Winter driving can be a challenge. Your car’s behavior on a dry road is different from how it behaves when the roads are icy or snowy. Just like us, cars can be grumpy if it is freezing outside. Instead of worrying about winter, we’ll help you become a winter hero with our winter driving tips.

This guide will help you prepare yourself and your vehicle to better handle snow and ice. The actual number of accidents that occur during the winter months may surprise you. Contrary to popular opinion, crashes do not increase during winter.

Maureen Vogel is the spokesperson for the National Safety Council. Often drivers don’t realize just how much they have to slow down in bad weather. “Many drivers tend to drive too quickly for the weather conditions, leading to unnecessary accidents.”

Driving at a lower speed isn’t the only thing to keep in mind when it snows. This winter driving guide gives you a detailed look at how to prepare for snowy conditions.

Vehicle Safety Checklist: Four Essential Points

This winter driving guide will begin by looking at the condition of your car. This is best done before snowfall or any winter long trip.

#1. What Was Your Last Service?

It’s bad enough to break down, but being stranded outside in the cold winter is even worse. Visit your local mechanic for an inspection. You may also want to check any items that you have forgotten about. You can do this by changing your oil, other fluids and repairing any leaks. Replace worn parts, replace drive belts or repair leaks.

Prioritize safety first when replacing parts. Unchecked brakes, tires, wheel-bearings and other suspension parts can directly impact safety. Ask your mechanic if you are unsure how a part functions and whether it affects your safety.

#2. Check for Safety Recalls

Check your vehicle’s safety recalls. It’s possible that if it is a serious problem, it could be even more dangerous in freezing temperatures. To see if your car is affected, visit the NHTSA Recalls & Safety Issues Page.

It is easy to use the website. Enter your VIN or make and model and then proceed.

#3. Purchase New Shoes for Your Vehicle

It’s important to make sure that your tires are up to the task. You need to ensure that they are up to the job. The tread depths and designs were designed to provide traction when driving on wet or icy pavement. The greater the “depth” of your tire, the better it will grip. As a rule, replace your tires once the tread depth reaches 4/32″.

What about snow tires? All-season tires are good for winter driving, but can they handle it? Not necessarily.

Michael Calkins is the Manager of Technical Services for AAA. He said that if temperatures are above 15degF, and snowfall is light or moderate, all-seasons tires might be sufficient. If you live in an area where the temperatures are often below 15degF, and there are storms that regularly bring several inches of snow to your region, snow tires can provide significant traction, handling and safety benefits.

Related to : Which is better, Snow Tires or AWD?

Snow tires are made from softer compounds to provide grip at freezing temperatures. Snow tires have aggressive tread patterns with different biting edges and sipes for better traction. Some snow tires come with metal spikes to increase traction in deep snow.

Calkins explained that if your car slides and slips on icy or snowy pavement, it’s hard to brake and accelerate without locking or spinning the wheels. Snow tires are a great option if your car struggles to maintain traction in corners.

Goodyear offers great deals on winter tire sets online, including free installation in a local store.

#4. Tire Pressure? Check Tire Pressures

Tire pressures fall by an average of 2 PSI per 10 degrees drop in ambient temperatures. The amount of air in the tires is as important as their actual tires.

It isn’t necessarily bad to lower the tire pressure when dealing with icy roads. In low-traction situations, having the tires slightly under-inflated will help to generate more traction. How low can you go before it becomes dangerous?

Consult the owner’s guide for recommended tire pressure ranges. The recommended tire pressures are also printed on the inside of the driver’s door jamb.

Check the tire pressure prior to travel and at every fuel station if necessary. Always keep a handy tire pressure gauge in your car. Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) is also available in most cars. You will see a warning on your dashboard if a tire is too low.

Tires are one of the best ways to protect yourself from winter weather.

Seven Simple DIY Items for Winter Driving

There are a few DIY maintenance items that you should check, even if your tires and car are in good condition. These items are included in our winter driving tips because they can be easily forgotten.

#1. Check the Battery

Battery charge decreases faster in cold temperatures, which makes it more difficult to start the motor. Replace the battery immediately if you notice any cracks or damages on its casing. Use a Multimeter for checking the battery voltage. If you get a reading below 12,40 to 12,75 volts it could be time to replace the battery.

While you’re at, tighten the battery cables to ensure that the engine starts perfectly the first time.

#2. Check the Coolant Reservoir

The term “coolant” can be misleading. Coolant is primarily used to lubricate all metal and aluminum components in the cooling system. Radiator, water pump and other internal components are included. Antifreeze or coolant will prevent the liquid inside the cooling system from freezing or hardening. Consider flushing your cooling system with antifreeze and filling the radiator to 100 percent.

Consult your owner’s guide or your mechanic to find out how often this should be done. This is a topic that has many different schools of thought, but it’s still an important item to maintain.

#3. Wiper Blades Are Important

You don’t have to wait until the windshield is streaky to replace the wipers. This low-cost method will allow you to see better in bad weather.

#4. What Is the Washing Fluid?

During the winter, you will use a lot more windshield wiper fluid. Fill up the reservoir before you leave with fluid formulated for winter. Check the reservoir each time you fill up with gas. Always keep a jug (or two!) of extra fluid in your trunk.

#5. Check Exterior Lights

Included are the headlights and taillights as well as signal markers and hazard lamps. Replace any defective bulbs before you drive off.

#6. Fill up Often

In general, we recommend that you keep your gas tank at least one third full while driving in winter. In bad weather, you should keep your tank at least half-full. A full tank will allow you to stay warm if you are stranded. This is also a way to avoid running out of fuel on an icy road.

#7. Change the floor mats

Rubberized floor mats make winter driving a breeze. They are able to trap dirt, slush, and snow without damaging the carpets beneath. Rubber mats are easier to clean. Install the mats correctly and only purchase the right size and shape for your car. If you install the mats incorrectly, they will interfere with your gas and brake pedals.

Prepare an emergency kit & get an Atlas

 

A recent study by Siegfried & Jensen found that 62 percent of respondents felt prepared for a breakdown. Nevertheless, the same study revealed that people only carry four out of eight items recommended by DMV.org.

Ned Siegfried is the President of Siegfried & Jensen. He said, “This research shows how under-prepared drivers for road accidents are.” This misplaced optimism suggests that not enough is being done to inform drivers on how to prepare their vehicles.

Siegfried & Jensen found that only 11% of Americans have a sat nav and less than a quarter keep paper maps inside their glove box. This suggests drivers rely heavily on smartphones to get directions. As signals can be lost in remote areas, and batteries can run out after several hours of cold weather, it is a good idea to keep a road atlas in your car like our grandparents did.

Siegfried stated that “even though getting lost or stuck by the side of the highway for a few hours without a map can be an inconvenience, it is important to prepare for accidents more serious for the safety and security of everyone on the road.”

Your emergency kit should contain: a light, jumper cables or salt, a shovel or scraper, flares, glow sticks, matches, pocket lighters, candles, water and food, medications, extra clothing, blankets and a cell phone. Include any other items you feel will be useful in case you get stranded.

Amazon and other stores sell pre-made winter car emergency kits.

Fewer than one quarter of Americans store paper maps in their glovebox. This could cause problems in remote areas as the signal on smartphones can be lost.

Drive in Snow & Ice – 5 Things to Consider

Here are five tips for safely reaching your destination.

#1.

This is a point that we cannot overstate. It is dangerous to drive at high speeds on slippery roads.

Jim Flegel Special First Lieutenant of Michigan State Police said that the majority of winter traffic accidents can be attributed driving too fast compared to the road conditions. “Drivers should obey basic speed laws, and drive their vehicles at a safe and sensible speed at all times.

Always keep a safe distance between you and the vehicle in front.

Flegel continued, “By adhering the the basic speed laws the driver can maintain proper control of their vehicle as well as be able stop within the distance assured ahead.” The only way to compensate for driving on slippery roads is to increase your following distance and slow down.

#2. Avoid Distracted Driving

Distracted driving on slippery surfaces or when icy is present can lead to accidents. Do not be deceived. Distracted Driving kills, and it is a global problem. Never use your smartphone, text or call while driving. A half-second distraction could mean the difference between your life and death.

#3. Never Drive While Intoxicated

Your motor skills, reaction times, and judgment will be significantly impaired by alcohol and other drugs. These are the things your brain needs to keep you safe in winter. Always know your limit, and designate an sober driver to drive you home.

#4. Electronic Traction Control

 

At all times, keep the stability and traction controls (ESC and ETC ) turned on . These safety features can help you if your vehicle starts to skid, slide, or spin.

#5. Plan Ahead

It is important to check the weather before you travel. Even if it seems calm where you are now, the conditions may be different when you arrive at your destination. In Michigan, travelers can track the location of the plow trucks in real time throughout the state. These trucks have cameras on board so that you can see exactly what the plow driver sees.

Similar programs are Pennsylvania’s What’s My Plow, and North Dakota’s track-a-plow. Tom Sorel, North Dakota Department of Transportation director, believes that we should take advantage of the technological advances.

He said: “This information will help travelers make better decisions about their travel plans by allowing them to know what’s happening on the roads.”

You can check the website of your state’s transportation department to see if there is a program similar in your area.

State transportation departments in Michigan, North Dakota and Pennsylvania offer free plow tracker services to residents. These programs can help drivers prepare for winter driving.

What to do in an emergency

Do not panic if something bad happens. If you or any of your passengers have been injured, follow the Steer It, Clear Itrule.

Flegel advised: “If the vehicle is still drivable and you are not hurt, move it immediately from the road to the shoulder.

Next, call 911 or roadside help.

Vogel suggested that you should take note of where you are, and the mile markers if you live on the highway. This will help them find you.

Other important things to keep in mind if you find yourself on the side of the road following an accident

• Keep your seatbelt securely fastened in the vehicle.
• Use your emergency four-way flashers to alert other drivers.
• Be very aware of traffic if you have to leave your car.
• Do not walk on the road. Instead, find a place that is safe and away from traffic.
• Call 911 to report the accident and give the dispatcher the exact location.

Do not panic in an emergency. Keep calm.

Put It All Together

This winter driving guide will make your journeys safer and more enjoyable. It is impossible to know what other drivers will do in any given situation. You can’t predict the weather either. But it’s important to stay alert to anticipate any unexpected events.

Flegel concluded, “Drive defensively so that you are always on the lookout for motorists who lose control or cross the centerline.” Check the weather forecast, leave early, if needed, and inform others of your planned arrival time and route.

Winter presents many challenges. Vogel said that as a rule, if the weather is bad outside, it’s best to stay indoors. Even in good weather, our roads can be dangerous. Add bad weather and your chances of an accident increase.