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Winter Care and Driving Tips that You Need to Know

Posted By: Park Place Texas - 2011-11-17

Freezing rain, cold air, snow and ice bring dangerous weather. Here are some tips to help keep you safe during the winter of 2011 and 2012.

1. Stop engine freeze with antifreeze…

One of the easiest and most important things you should do to ensure that your vehicle is prepared for the cold temperatures and severe weather to check the level and concentration of your coolant/antifreeze. Antifreeze prevents your vehicle’s circulation system from freezing up and destroying portions of your engine.

2. Ensure good traction…

The last line of defense between you and an oak tree are your tires. Winter is not the time to get cheap about your tires, so take the time to check the tread depth. The National Highway Transportation Safety Board says you need at least 2/32" of depth to be safe. Also, as the temperature drops, so does tire pressure, so check tires regularly.

3. Replace wiper blades or wipers...

Anything falling from the sky is going to end up on your windshield, and unless you have a team of beavers riding on the hood of your car the task of clearing it falls on your wipers. Second, in areas that see snowfall in the winter, you're also driving through that soupy muck that's left the road once the highway department does their thing. It takes wipers that are in top shape to keep your windshield clean and safe.

4. Clear the ice…

Check your washer fluid level as you'll be using lots of it as you try to keep your windshield clean. And, don’t add water to your washer fluid because it may freeze on your windshield - making matters worse. Also, be sure to carry an ice-scraper, we recommend the kind that can brush off snow as well as scrape off any ice.

5. Check your battery - they have problems in cold weather…

Chemical reactions inside of batteries take place more slowly when the battery is cold, so the battery produces fewer electrons. The starter motor therefore has less energy to work with when it tries to start the engine, and this causes the engine to crank more slowly. Make sure you have a healthy car battery to ensure your vehicle starts in cold weather.

6. Carry salt, sand or kitty litter…

Keep a bag of salt, sand or kitty litter (non-clumping) in back of the vehicle. These materials will help your tires find grip when stuck in snow or on ice. And, the weight of these materials stored in the back of your vehicle will assist with traction.

7. Make sure all lights are working...

Winter days are shorter and darker, and winter weather can greatly reduce visibility. If other drivers can't see you, or if you can’t see them, then you could put yourself and others at risk. Have your mechanic check all of your lights, including headlamps, running lights, turn signals, brake lights, reverse lights and, most importantly, your emergency flashers.

8. Utilize good driving skills…

Keep speed as low as practically possible.
Increase the distance between cars, corners, junctions and any other hazards.
Be prepared to use ABS or avoidance braking techniques.
Get all of your braking done on the straights, never brake during a corner.
Be prepared for understeer and oversteer, and know how to correct.

9. Carry emergency supplies…

Make sure your vehicle is stocked with an emergency kit.
You should also carry an emergency blanket, a flashlight, jumper cables, roadside flares, and possibly even a tow rope.

10. Visit your local dealership…

Make sure to have a trusted mechanic inspect your vehicle. They can ensure that your vehicle is properly winterized for safer winter travel.