|
Tips For
Winter Driving
by:
David
Maillie
Winter
driving can be hazardous and
stressful. Wind, snow, ice
and blizzard conditions
increase the normal dangers
of driving. There is a lot
you can do before the winter
driving season and during a
storm to protect yourself
and your family.
Before
winter arrives, have your
car inspected to be sure it
is ready for the road
conditions. You can do this
yourself or take it to a
qualified mechanic. Check
the battery, wipers and
fluid, thermostat, brakes,
ignition system, antifreeze,
exhaust system, lights, oil
level, heater and
defrosters. Make sure
everything is in good
working order to keep you
safe throughout the cold
weather.
Check your
tires to be sure they are
road ready. Install tires
that are appropriate for the
driving conditions. In
moderate amounts of snow,
all weather radials will do
the job nicely. If you live
in a climate where you
experience a lot of snow,
consider snow tires. These
have better tread to deal
with snow and ice.
Prepare an
emergency kit to keep in the
back of your car. This will
ensure that you are prepared
in the event that you get
stuck in the snow. Things to
include in the kit:
Ice scraper
Small broom
Small shovel
Kitty litter or a bag of
sand (to give traction if
you get stuck in snow or
ice)
Blankets or a sleeping bag
Flashlight with batteries
Flares or warning triangles
Plastic bags
First aid kit
Tool kit
Jumper cables
Bright cloth to use as a
flag
Help sign for back window
Extra hat and gloves
Food and water to sustain
you if you get stuck
A book, Bible or Prayer
Cards to keep you busy and
calm in the event you get
stuck.
Charged cell phone (always
carry this, especially in
the winter)
Keep your
gas tank at least half full
at all times. This adds
weight to the car and will
ensure that you won’t run
out of gas in the event you
get stuck.
Driving in
the Snow
Pay
attention to the weather
forecasts and road
conditions in the winter
months. If the weather is
bad, stay home if at all
possible. If you must
venture out, travel in the
daylight. You are more
likely to find help if you
get stuck during the day.
Never warm up your vehicle
in the garage. This releases
carbon monoxide, which is
toxic and can kill you.
When
driving, always wear your
seatbelt. Wear sunglasses to
protect your eyes from the
glare of the sun reflecting
off the snow. Know your car
and how it handles in the
snow. Features like traction
control and antilock brakes
can be useful in bad weather
conditions. Know how these
work and if your car is new,
practice driving it in a
snow covered parking lot
before venturing out on the
road.
Take it
slow, especially in icy
conditions. Don’t tailgate
and be sure to allow a safe
distance between vehicles.
Do everything slowly,
stopping, accelerating and
turning. Leave plenty of
time and space to maneuver.
Sliding and skidding usually
happen when turning,
stopping or accelerating.
Going extra slow will ensure
your safety.
If the
visibility is low, slow down
even more. Consider getting
off highways and driving
even slower. This will take
you out of the path of large
trucks that can cause
accidents. Use only your low
beams, as your high beams
will reflect back off the
snow and won’t increase your
visibility. Turn on your
hazard lights to be sure
other drivers see you.
In the event
your car gets stuck, don’t
get out. Put up the hood and
tie your cloth to the
antennae. This will make you
more visible to emergency
vehicles and other drivers.
Keep the windows, air grill
and tail pipe clear of snow.
Wrap up in blankets and
huddle up with passengers to
stay warm. Run the heat for
fifteen minutes each hour to
keep from freezing. Move
your body around to stay
warm.
Keeping your
car clean throughout the
winter is important. Salt on
the roads is important for
safety, but will wreak havoc
on the finish. If left on
for long periods, it can
cause rusting. Wash your
vehicle weekly to remove
salt and wax to protect the
paint. Salt also leaves a
coating on your headlights
that can impair their
operation. This will make
you less visible to other
vehicles. New Lite Headlight
Cleaner and Restorer will
return the lights to like
new condition.
About The
Author
David
Maillie is a chemist with
over 12 years experience in
biochemical research and
clynical analysis. He is an
alumni of Cornell University
and specializes in
biochemical synthesis for
public, private, and
governmental interests. He
holds numerous patents
including his recently
awarded patent for headlight
cleaner and restorer. He can
be reached at M.D.
Wholesale:
http://www.mdwholesale.com.
|
