Winter is a more challenging season to drive than any other time of year. Severe cold can slow down or freeze components, snow and ice can eliminate traction on the roads, storms can hamper visibility, and the shorter daylight hours mean less sunlight to brighten your way.
The best advice for dealing with winter woes is to stay at home when you can, particularly when it’s snowing out. But for those times that you do have to go out, here are some winter driving tips.
Get Your Car Ready
Because driving is so different in the winter, make sure that your vehicle has been prepped for the cold.
• Check that all your fluids have been topped up or changed: oil, anti-freeze, brake fluid, transmission fluid, and windshield washer fluid. Your owner’s manual can tell you where the containers for these liquids are located.
• To prevent your gas lines from freezing, keep your gas tank at least half full at all times.
• Run the heater at least once to make sure that it is working properly.
• Inspect your tires to ensure they have enough tread and make sure they are filled to the correct pressure. Consider switching to snow tires, especially if you drive frequently on snow or rough terrain.
• Because its capacity goes down in the winter, the battery should be checked. Clean the terminals.
If you don’t want to do any of these yourself, bring your vehicle into our Service Department at King O’Rourke Cadillac in Smithtown, New York. Our factory-certified automotive technicians will make your car winter-ready.
Stock Emergency Supplies
Poor visibility, a sudden snowstorm, or traffic issues may leave you trapped in your vehicle for a while until help arrives. Pack enough emergency supplies such as food, water, warm blankets, winter clothing and boots, and an extra battery charger for your smartphone.
A first-aid kit helps with any injuries and a flashlight can brighten a dark night. Have jumper cables on hand to restart your car. An ice scraper frees your windows and windshield from snow and ice, a folding shovel can help dig your car out of the snow, and a bag of sand or kitty litter can increase traction around your tires when they’re stuck.
Practice before Hitting the Road
If you’re not used to driving in the winter, practice in an empty parking lot, preferably after fresh snow. Start your vehicle, drive forward in a straight line and in a curve, step on the brakes to slow down, and then stop. Practice backing into and out of parallel and perpendicular parking spots. If you can force a skid, practice getting out of it by turning toward where the back end is heading.
Drive Slowly
If you do just one thing on the road this winter: drive slowly. Ice and snow reduce contact between your tires and the road, which can lessen or eliminate traction. If you’re moving too fast, you may lose control of your vehicle and increase your chances of an accident.
Start your journeys earlier and allow more time to get to your destination. Plan your route in advance, taking note of the weather conditions and traffic. Tell someone where you’re going, when you’re leaving, how long it’s going to take, and when you plan on arriving. Leave more space between you and the next vehicle to give you more room to stop.
Accelerate and decelerate slowly to maintain what little grip you have on the road. Avoid sudden maneuvers, which may force you to skid.
Some Don’ts
Do not drive while you are distracted. You’ll need all of your faculties working in top shape to safely negotiate winter roads. Do not eat, put on makeup, fiddle with the infotainment system, or be inattentive. If you must do any of these things or are feeling drowsy, then pull off the road until you return to full attention.
Don’t use cruise control. As convenient as this feature is, it is not designed to deal with the hazards of winter driving.
Don’t stop fully whenever possible. It’s harder to get going from a full stop when you have little traction. Instead, start decelerating before reaching a stoplight. If you time it correctly, the light will turn from red to green by the time you reach it. You can then start accelerating slowly without having to stop.
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