With winter comes snow and hazardous driving conditions due to slippery roads. Black ice is also a huge factor in seasonal accidents. It accumulates on freeway bridges, overpasses, and other areas. Car and truck tires heat the road surfaces up thus turning them into large sheets of ice; "black ice" -- so called because you cannot see it when driving. It is the same color of the pavement!
Here's a list of driving tips for the winter season:
During the first few heavy days of snow fall, avoid driving if possible and just stay home. The reason being is that most folks have not yet acclimated to these driving conditions and have not considered just how slippery roads can get in a short time. They continue driving as if it were just rain. The first few days of the winter season are when most accidents occur (in my opinion).
If you must get out and drive (which most of us do), it is important to drive defensively. This means to expect the unexpected. Check your rear view window when stopped at stoplights. Look for speeders who won't have enough time to stop before smacking the rear of your vehicle. Look for anything that might happen during your commute.
Make sure your tires are in good working condition and properly inflated. Poor tire pressure can lead to spin outs -- putting you and other drivers on the road in danger. Also make sure you replace your wipers at the beginning of the winter season. You will know when to replace your wipers because your windshield will wipe blurry during snow or rain.
Flush your radiator fluid and refill with new fluid at specified intervals. If your heat blows cool air or periodic cool air, this could mean that your fluid level is low, or you need a new thermostat.
If you find yourself in an unnerving tailspin, steer your front wheels in the direction that the rear of the car is going. This means, if the rear of the car is going to the right, steer your wheel to the right -- to correct the vehicle. If stuck in a rut of snow, slowly give the accelerator gas to slowly correct the situation. I know you might want to give it lots of gas and get out of there; however, this will just heat up the snow and get slicker, making it harder to correct. Lastly, maintain at least 1/2 tank of gas in your vehicle. This is so your fuel lines do not freeze or allow water condensation to accumulate in the gas tank.
Ok, folks. Be careful out there!
Here's a list of driving tips for the winter season:
During the first few heavy days of snow fall, avoid driving if possible and just stay home. The reason being is that most folks have not yet acclimated to these driving conditions and have not considered just how slippery roads can get in a short time. They continue driving as if it were just rain. The first few days of the winter season are when most accidents occur (in my opinion).
If you must get out and drive (which most of us do), it is important to drive defensively. This means to expect the unexpected. Check your rear view window when stopped at stoplights. Look for speeders who won't have enough time to stop before smacking the rear of your vehicle. Look for anything that might happen during your commute.
Make sure your tires are in good working condition and properly inflated. Poor tire pressure can lead to spin outs -- putting you and other drivers on the road in danger. Also make sure you replace your wipers at the beginning of the winter season. You will know when to replace your wipers because your windshield will wipe blurry during snow or rain.
Flush your radiator fluid and refill with new fluid at specified intervals. If your heat blows cool air or periodic cool air, this could mean that your fluid level is low, or you need a new thermostat.
If you find yourself in an unnerving tailspin, steer your front wheels in the direction that the rear of the car is going. This means, if the rear of the car is going to the right, steer your wheel to the right -- to correct the vehicle. If stuck in a rut of snow, slowly give the accelerator gas to slowly correct the situation. I know you might want to give it lots of gas and get out of there; however, this will just heat up the snow and get slicker, making it harder to correct. Lastly, maintain at least 1/2 tank of gas in your vehicle. This is so your fuel lines do not freeze or allow water condensation to accumulate in the gas tank.
Ok, folks. Be careful out there!
related video: winter driving tips
Have a safe driving commute.
In A Hour.com
