Winter driving tips

Winter is on its way. Ice, snow and cold temperatures affect your vehicle and your driving. Simple maintenance steps can prepare your car to get through these winter conditions.

Winter Vehicle Maintenance Tips

• Thorough check of car. Have your mechanic check the cooling, charging, braking and suspension systems.
• Have your battery tested. Even new batteries can lose as much as 40 percent of their cold cranking ability in cold weather, and worn batteries lose even more.
• Windshield wiper blades. Replace worn wiper blades to assist with your visibility while driving, also be sure to have your windshield wiper fluid filled.
• Check tire pressure. With temperatures changing, make sure to check tire pressure in order to have correctly inflated tires.

Winter Driving Tips

• In ice and snow take it slow. In many situations, drivers are driving too fast for conditions. Anticipate your route, check traffic conditions and weather reports. In some situations, only travel if necessary, if you must travel take extra precaution, be patient, and expect delays.
• Vehicle spacing on the road. Allow plenty of space between your car and other vehicles. It takes from four to ten times more distance to stop on ice and snow than on dry pavement. Following distances should be adjusted accordingly.
• Drive for conditions and stay alert. Road conditions may quickly change from bad to worse. Areas that are prone to having more ice are under overpasses, bridges, intersections, hills. By knowing and identifying these areas, drivers can brake or accelerate in areas that offer better grip, such as in fresh snow, or areas that are not so polished. When stopping on ice, brake harder early and then become lighter on the pedal as the car slows. This allows for precise adjustment in the event that a surprisingly slippery spot is encountered.
• Turn on your headlights. Whenever daytime visibility is less than perfect, turning on your lights allows you to see, and just as important, to be seen by others. High-quality fog lights, mounted low and aimed properly, low and wide, offer a dramatic improvement in low-visibility conditions. Remember to turn fog lights off in city traffic; it's not practical or polite to leave them on. When driving at night. Leave headlamps on low beam when driving in snow and fog. This practice minimizes reflection and glare, improves visibility, and reduces eye fatigue.
• Warm up your car and clear all snow and ice. Visibility is crucial. Safe and responsible vehicle operation requires that front, rear, and side windows are clear. Snow left on the hood will blow onto the windshield and clog wipers as speed increases. Snow left on the roof will blow off and obscure the rear window and the windshield of the car behind. Clearing headlights and taillights will allow you to be seen.
• Use floor mats for traction. The floormats of most vehicles can be used as a tool if you are stuck. Simply turn the mats upside down and place them under the drive wheels as a traction aid.
• Be prepared for anything. Even if you don't become stuck, you may be parked or delayed for extended periods due to crashes, road closures, avalanches or poor visibility. Make sure you are prepared with adequate winter clothes, supplies and emergency equipment. At minimum, carry these essentials items: winter boots, gloves, hats, food, water, cell phone charger, a blanket or sleeping bag, shovel, flashlight (with extra batteries), tow strap and jumper cables.