If you're a driver, you need to know what precautions you can take to keep yourself and your car safe in the winter, and what to do if you find yourself in a situation where you're stranded.
A crucial consideration when planning a drive in hazardous conditions is whether or not the trip is really required. It is very risky to drive on ice roads with low visibility, so if you don't need to go out of the house, stay put. If you must go outside, though, here are some pointers to keep in mind.
Make sure your car is ready
Before you go on your vacation, do a few quick maintenance checks on your vehicle to make sure it's ready for the elements. In fact, it is a legal obligation to have a good vision of the path ahead before you drive so your vehicle windows aren't coated in snow.
In addition to defrosting the windshield, clean the snow from the headlights, roof, and the rear windscreen heater. It's possible that the windshield wipers have frozen to the glass and might blow a fuse when the engine is started.
In addition to making sure your tires have adequate tread and are properly inflated, make sure you have enough gas in your tank in case you get stuck and need to use your vehicle's engine to remain warm. Winter tires may be a good investment if you live in a region that sees a lot of snow.
A two-wheel drive vehicle will have considerably superior traction and will actually come to a halt sooner than a 4x4 with conventional tires. When traveling in frigid weather, it's a good idea to have a few essentials in your vehicle.
Having a fully charged cell phone and a vehicle charger available are the most crucial things to keep in mind. Always carry some food and water in the car as well as some de-icer in the event of an emergency. A caution triangle should always be attached to the vehicle.
Driving In The Snow
Driving in very cold temperatures necessitates significant speed reductions, which should be observed at all times. If the road is coated in snow or ice, it will be very difficult to stop, and experts suggest leaving as much as a 10-times larger distance between you and the vehicle in front of you.
Make sure to shift into second gear when starting off with a manual automobile, then decrease the ratio while going downhill. When traveling in thick snow, turn on your headlights and, if necessary, use your fog lights.
Preventing skids by slowing down before a turn is recommended. Drivers who begin to skid must take their accelerator foot off and steer softly into the skid.
If a driver gets into an accident, they should go to a safe location and phone for help. Alert other drivers with a caution triangle.
These are just some tips that will help you better prepare for driving in the snow this season. We also recommend bringing your vehicle into our shop for a thorough inspection to make sure your vehicle is ready to take on the cold. Call us or stop by Global Car Care today!