Freezing cold. Howling winds. Blinding snow. Yes, it’s almost that time of year again. There may be a number of advantages to winter, especially if you enjoy snow sports, but easy driving conditions aren’t one of them. Precarious conditions such as icy roads and brutal cold require extra vigilance and precautions on the part of motorists. Every driver needs to properly prepare his or her vehicle, have certain supplies in the car, and generally drive more cautiously. To that end, let’s discuss some winter driving tips so you can drive as safely as possible this season.
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Winter Driving Safety Tips
• Have proper maintenance done on your vehicle – have a mechanic do a routine check-up. Have him or her inspect the tires, check the battery, fill up the anti-freeze, check the oil, etc.
• Regularly check anti-freeze levels and tire pressure throughout the season.
• Always keep the gas tank at half full. This will prevent the gas line from freezing.
• Make sure you have the following supplies in your vehicle: blankets, towrope, ice scraper, extra clothes, high-calorie non-perishable foods (i.e. granola bars, protein bars, beef jerky).
• Always keep a phone on you.
• Slow down when driving in the snow. Accelerate and decelerate slowly so as to avoid skids.
• Avoid using cruise control on slippery services.
• Stay home during a storm. Only drive if it is an absolute emergency.
•Monitor the weather forecast. If a period of in climate weather is approaching, you will have time to prepare/make other arrangements.
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What To Do If You Become Stranded
Being a stuck on the side of the road during a winter storm can be a harrowing experience. If you become stranded, the important thing is to not to panic. Losing your cool, so to speak, will only exacerbate the situation. Stay calm, help will soon arrive.
The first thing to do is switch on your hazard lights. This will help indicate your position to the people who will be trying to locate your vehicle. You can also make your vehicle more visible by tying a piece of brightly colored cloth to the antenna. It may be tempting to flee your car and take off on foot to get help. Do not do this, as you may easily lose sight of your vehicle and become lost. Abandoning your car could cause already bad situation to become worse. Your vehicle will provide shelter and keep you out of the storm/wind. Stay there.
Run the engine and heater for ten minutes every hour. This will keep you warm and will help conserve gasoline (versus keeping your engine running the entire time). It is important when doing this to make sure the exhaust pipe is clear. A blocked pipe can cause carbon monoxide to seep into your vehicle. To prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, make sure this pipe is clear.
Finally, be sure to drink plenty of fluids as you wait. You don’t want to become dehydrated. You may have to melt some snow in order to accomplish this.
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