Winter driving means you need to take extra precautions to stay safe. Here are some winter driving tips to keep in mind:
- Keep your vehicle in good condition. Make sure your vehicle is in good mechanical condition before the winter season starts. Keep the gas tank at least half full to help prevent the fuel line from freezing. Check your tires to ensure they are properly inflated and have sufficient tread. Consider using winter tires, which are specifically designed for cold weather and provide better traction on ice and snow.
- Clear snow and ice from your vehicle. Before you start driving, clear all snow and ice from your vehicle, including the hood, roof, windows, and lights. This will help you see better and ensure that other drivers can see you.
- Keep a safe distance from other vehicles. Maintain a safe distance from other vehicles, particularly when driving on icy or slippery roads. It takes longer to stop on slippery roads, so you need to allow for more space between your vehicle and the vehicle directly in front of you.
- Don't use cruise control. Avoid using cruise control on slippery roads, as it can cause your vehicle to lose traction and increase your risk of a crash.
- Avoid sudden movements. When driving in winter weather, try to avoid sudden movements such as abrupt acceleration, steering and braking. These actions can cause your vehicle to lose traction and slide.
- Keep an emergency kit in your vehicle. It's a good idea to keep emergency supplies in your vehicle in the event that you get stranded. Make a kit with items such as blankets, food, water, a flashlight, a first aid kit, and a shovel. Keep the items in the cab of your vehicle, not the trunk, so that you don't have to exit your vehicle to access them.
By following these tips, you can help ensure that you arrive at your destination safely during the winter season. If you do need vehicle repair, please feel free to bring your vehicle to our repair shop today!