Tips for Winter Driving

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Tips for Winter Driving
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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

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• 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
  cars 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, cont.

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• Wipers (cont.)- 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

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• 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

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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 youre 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

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• Remember- Do not use cruise control when driving
  on any slippery (wet, ice, snow, sand) surface.
• The stopping distance required on ice at 0F is
  twice the amount required at 32F.
• 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.
• Dont 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.

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• 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.
• Dont assume your vehicle can handle all
  conditions. Even 4-wheel and front-wheel drive
  vehicles can encounter trouble on winter roads.

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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 windowsall the
  windowsinside and outside.
• You need 360-degree visibility, and don't forget
  the mirrors and wipersfront 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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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What to do in Skids

• If your rear wheels skid
• Take your foot off the accelerator.
• 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.
• Make slow deliberate motions with the steering
  wheel.
• If you have standard brakes, pump them gently.
• If you have anti-lock brakes (ABS) do not pump
  them. Apply steady pressure.

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• If your front wheels skid
• Take your foot off the accelerator shift into
  neutral, but dont try to steer immediately.
• 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.

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If you get Stuck

• Dont spin your wheels. You will only dig in
  deeper.
• Turn your wheels from side to side a few times to
  push snow out of the way.
• Use a light touch on the gas pedal, to ease your
  car out.
• Use a shovel to clear snow away from wheels and
  the cars underside.
• Pour sand, kitty litter, gravel, or salt in the
  path of the wheels, to get traction.
• Try rocking the vehicle. Shift from forward to
  reverse and back again. Each time youre in
  gear, give a light touch to the gas until the
  vehicle gets going.

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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 wont 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.

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Snowplows

• Drive with extra care and attention around
  snowplows
• Dont crowd the plowgive them room to work. The
  plows are wide and can cross the centerline
• or shoulder. Dont 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 limitbe
  patient.
• A snowplow operators 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.

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

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Winter Driving Slow 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.