Tips for Winter Driving

Preparing the Vehicle• Check the electrical system- make sure

the battery is strong enough for cold-weather starts, check the ignition wires & spark plug wires, make sure all lights are functioning correctly

• Brake system- have your brakes checked regularly and do not delay necessary maintenance

• Tires- the amount of traction that exists between the tires and the road determines how well a vehicle will handle, check for worn tires, have the tread depth checked

• Exhaust system- have your exhaust system checked for leaks or defects, carbon monoxide is odorless and can quickly cause death

• Heating & Cooling system- make sure that the car’s cooling system has antifreeze that will withstand temperatures of -30 to -40 degrees, check to be sure that the reservoir is filled to the line indicating full

• Windshield wipers & washer fluid- winter driving presents unique window clearing issues, be sure that you have wiper blades that clear the windshield without streaks, check washer fluid and be sure it is good to -20 degrees, con’t.

• Wipers (con’t.)- to prevent damage to the blades and/or wiper motor- be sure the wipers are free from ice and snow and turned off before starting the car

• Winter driving kit- it is advisable to have the following items in your vehicle during winter months:

☻bag of abrasive material (sand, salt, cat litter)

☻warning flares or triangles

☻small snow shovel ☻ice scrapper

☻snow brush ☻cloth or paper towels

☻traction mats ☻booster cables

☻flashlight ☻blanket

☻window-washing solvent

☻cell phone

☻gloves or mittens ☻snack pack

• Gas tank- keep your gas tank at least half full to avoid gas line freeze-up and to give extra weight to your vehicle

• Warming up- never let your car run in an enclosed area, as this will produce carbon monoxide- start your car and turn the heater on for a minute or two, this will prevent moisture from forming on your windshield when warm air hits cold glass

Driving Tips• Clean all snow & ice from the entire vehicle–

hood, trunk, lights, windows. Snow left on any of these areas increases the possibility that visibility will be affected when the vehicle is in motion.

• Warm up the car as described above.• Avoid driving while you’re fatigued.• Use your seatbelt everytime.• Traction is greatest just before just before the

wheels spin. Gentle pressure on the accelerator pedal when starting is the best method for retaining traction and avoiding skids.

• Keep your speed low, and your headlights on low beams

• Remember- Do not use cruise control when driving on any slippery (wet, ice, snow, sand) surface.

• The stopping distance required on ice at 0°F is twice the amount required at 32°F.

• Normal following distances for dry pavement (three to four seconds) should be increased to 8 to 10 seconds when driving on icy, slippery roads.

• Keep your lights and windshield clean. (Even if it means you have to stop & get out to take care of this.

• Don’t pass snow plows and salt/sand trucks. The drivers have limited sight and the road ahead will probably be worse than the road behind it.

• When approaching a hill, observe how other vehicles are reacting and keep for enough behind the vehicle immediately ahead so that others will have to slow down or stop.

• Gently increase your speed at or near the bottom of the hill in order to gain momentum to crest the hill.

• Minimize brake use on slippery surfaces. If needed, apply brakes gently, avoid hard braking.

• Don’t assume your vehicle can handle all conditions. Even 4-wheel and front-wheel drive vehicles can encounter trouble on winter roads.

Visibility

• Coping with winter's visibility problems must begin before you even get behind the wheel. It includes allowing enough time to clear any snow, ice, or frost from the windows—all the windows—inside and outside.

• You need 360-degree visibility, and don't forget the mirrors and wipers—front and rear, if your vehicle is so equipped. Use your fingers to break off any accumulated ice on the blades and wipe them clean. Be sure the wiper nozzles are clean, too. A long pin works well for that purpose.

• Metal-edged ice scrapers work best, if you can find them. If not, a paint scraper with a short, strong blade can make an acceptable substitute. Credit-card-like pocket scrapers, or credit cards themselves, do an admirable job on interior frost.

• Be sure to remove snow from all the lights and from the hood and heater air inlet slits (usually at the base of the windshield). Otherwise you might find your initially clear windshield fully frosted over two or three minutes after you drive away.

• When entering the vehicle, kick as much snow off of your feet as possible. Snow tracked inside the vehicle can contribute to window fogging.

• Ensure the heater and defroster are working properly.

Accelerating• Accelerate slowly to reduce wheel spin. If starting

from a standstill on slick snow or ice, start in second gear if you have a manual transmission so the vehicle is less likely to spin the tires. The automatic transmissions on some vehicles have a winter mode that automatically starts in a higher gear.

• Reduce your speed and drive smoothly. In slippery conditions, tires lose their grip more easily, affecting all aspects of your driving: braking, turning, and accelerating. The key is to drive as smoothly as possible, avoiding sudden actions or rapid movements of any kind. Drive as if you have a full cup of coffee on the dash board or a bowl of water in your lap and don't want to spill any.

Steering

• Perform one action at a time when accelerating, braking, and turning. Asking a vehicle to do two things at once--such as braking and turning, or accelerating and turning--can reduce your control. When taking a turn, for instance, slowly apply the brakes while the vehicle is going straight. When it's at the right speed to take the turn, let up on the brakes and smoothly turn the steering wheel. After you're through the turn, slowly depress the accelerator to regain your speed.

• Avoid sudden actions when cornering. A sudden maneuver--such as hard braking, a quick turn of the steering wheel, sudden acceleration, or shifting a manual transmission--can upset a vehicle's dynamics when it's taking a turn. In slick conditions, this can cause it to more easily go out of control.

Braking• Allow longer braking distances. Plan on starting

your braking sooner than you normally would in dry conditions to give yourself extra room, and use more gentle pressure on the brake pedal.

• Don't lock your wheels when braking. Locked wheels can make the vehicle slide or skid. If you have a vehicle without an antilock braking system (ABS), you may need to gently apply the brakes repeatedly to avoid having them lock up the wheels. If your vehicle has ABS, simply depress the brake pedal firmly and hold it down. ABS typically sends a vibration or pulsing sensation through the brake pedal. If you feel this, don't let up; it's normal.

What to do in Skids• If your rear wheels skid…1. Take your foot off the accelerator.2. Steer in the direction you want the front

wheels to go. If your rear wheels are sliding left, steer left. If your rear wheels are sliding right, steer right.

3. Make slow deliberate motions with the steering wheel.

4. If you have standard brakes, pump them gently.

5. If you have anti-lock brakes (ABS) do not pump them. Apply steady pressure.

• If your front wheels skid…1. Take your foot off the accelerator &

shift into neutral, but don’t try to steer immediately.

2. As the wheels skid sideways, they will slow the vehicle & traction will return. As it does, steer in the direction you want to go. Then put the transmission in “drive” or release the clutch, and accelerate slowly.

If you get Stuck…

1. Don’t spin your wheels. You will only dig in deeper.

2. Turn your wheels from side to side a few times to push snow out of the way.

3. Use a light touch on the gas pedal, to ease your car out.

4. Use a shovel to clear snow away from wheels and the car’s underside.

5. Pour sand, kitty litter, gravel, or salt in the path of the wheels, to get traction.

6. Try rocking the vehicle. Shift from forward to reverse and back again. Each time you’re in gear, give a light touch to the gas until the vehicle gets going.

If You Get Stranded…

• Do not leave your car unless you know exactly where you are, how far it is to possible help, and are certain you will improve your situation.

• To attract attention, light two flares and place one at each end of the car a safe distance away. Hang a brightly colored cloth from your antenna. Keep your dome light on, it won’t kill the battery.

• If you are sure the car's exhaust pipe is not blocked, run the engine and heater for about 10 minutes every hour or so depending upon the amount of gas in the tank.

• To protect yourself from frostbite and hypothermia use the woolen items and blankets to keep warm.

• Keep at least one window open slightly. Heavy snow and ice can seal a car shut.

• Eat a hard candy to keep your mouth moist.

Snowplows

• Drive with extra care and attention around snowplows:

• Don’t crowd the plow—give them room to work. The plows are wide and can cross the centerline

• or shoulder. Don’t tailgate and try not to pass. If you must pass, take extreme caution and beware

• of the snow cloud.• Snowplows travel below the posted speed limit—

be patient.• A snowplow operator’s field of vision is restricted.

You may see them but they may not see you.• Keep your distance and watch for sudden stops or

turns.

• Be extra wary of other motorists. They may not be driving as cautiously as you.

Winter DrivingSlow down for wet, snowy, icy conditions.Avoid quick braking or acceleration.Find out about driving conditions before you go.Everytime – buckle up.Turn signals, brake lights and windows need to be clear of snow.You should never use cruise control in winter weather conditions.