Winter Road Conditions
Winter Road Conditions:
If you must deal with the snowy, icy, weather conditions the winter can bring with it. Make sure you and your car are prepared for the months ahead. Safety and slow driving could help save lives.
First you must get your car ready for the cold months ahead:
A car check-up; check the ignition, brakes, wiring, hoses, and fan belts.
Check and replace any spark plugs that need replacing.
Check your air, fuel, and emissions filter, also check the PCV valves as well.
Inspect your distributor, and check your battery.
Check and replace any tires in need of replacing; Check tire pressure, air, sidewall wear and tread depth.
Check all your fluid levels; anti-freeze etc.
Get your car a tune up before the winter months.
Get snow chains on tires.
Always have a emergency survival kit assembled and readily available and let your passengers know where its located in case they should need it.
Now that we have winterized the vehicle lets talk about those nasty hazardous rode conditions (try to practice this in an open vacant parking lot to be prepared for such an occasion) driving an an icy road can be dangerous here are a few tips to help you avoid an accident:
Try to decrease your speed and try to leave your self plenty of room to stop.
You should allow at least 3 feet of space between you and the car in front of you to avoid a collision.
Gently tap your brakes to avoid your vehicle from skidding. If your wheels lock up on you ease off the brake.
Turn on your headlights to help you visibly see the on coming traffic and which in turn lets them see you as well.
Keep your windshields clean throughout the winter months and replace any wipers that need to be replaced.
Use lower gears to keep your traction to the road especially on hills.
Don't drive with your cruise control or your overdrive on icy, snowy roads.
Be careful and use caution when crossing bridges due to the temperature bridges create patches of ice.
Do not drive in a larger vehicle be aware and stay out of their blind spots. In heavy weather conditions it makes it extra hard for trucks to see you in their blind spot.
Don't ever assume your vehicle can handle several different road conditions. Even four-wheel drive trucks and other front-wheel drive vehicles can encounter difficult road conditions.
If your right rear tires skid release your foot off the accelerator steer the the direction you want your vehicle to go; if your right tires are going left, steer left and if your right tires are going right steer right.
If your rear tires start sliding ease the steering-wheel towards that direction. You might need to steer left and right a few times in order for you to get complete control over your vehicle again.
If you have standard brakes pump them very lightly. If you have anti-lock brakes Do Not pump the brakes but instead apply pressure to your brakes; you will start to feel the brakes pulse a bit that is normal.
If your front tires skid or slid try taking your foot off the gas and put your vehicle in neutral, but do not steer the vehicle immediately. As you feel your tires begin to to skid sideways, this is good this will slow the vehicle and return traction to the vehicle. As it does steer the vehicle in the direction you want the car to go. Then put your transmission in drive or release the clutch and gently accelerate.
If you get stuck do not spin your tires; this will only dig you deeper into the snow.
Try turning your wheels side to side to release snow from the tires.
Try a light push on the gas to get your car out.
Use a shovel from your survival kit to dig your way out; also use some kitty litter also a part of your survival kit and try to clear a path to return traction to the tires.
Try rocking the car back and forth to help break up some of the snow.
Then try shifting the vehicle from forward to reverse, then back again. Each time your in gear give a light tap on the gas until the vehicle gets going.
I hope these techniques will help make your winter a little safer, and help you take control of your car when nature takes its course.
