It’s the most wonderful time of the year… The season of snow and ice has approached us once again. We would like to give the community a few tips for driving in the snow. Please, if you do not have to drive, stay home. If you are prepared for blizzard conditions, you should have enough food and supplies to last your family up to 72 hours. This way you are not out running to the store for milk, getting stuck, and becoming part of the problem. If you absolutely MUST drive, please keep these tips in mind…
Know your car
Every car is different and has different capabilities and handling characteristics. Be aware of what you and your car can and cannot do in the snow and ice. Make sure you are aware of whether you have front, rear, part-time or full-time four-wheel drive; antilock brakes; traction control; and stability control. What kind of tires are on the car? Do you know how all of these work, and how they will or will not help you in bad weather?
Have a winter emergency kit in your car in case you get stuck
Make sure to have a decent snowbrush/ice scraper, extra windshield washer fluid, a warm blanket, flashlight, an old pair of boots and an extra coat, granola bars, bottled water, crosswords or a magazine for entertainment. Depending on the weather, and how many people are out, it can take a while before crews are able to get to you. Be prepared!
Prepare your car for driving before you even leave the driveway
Give yourself plenty of time in the morning before you go to work. Clear your entire car, not just the driver’s side windshield and window. Visibility is already poor in snowy and sleeting conditions, give yourself all the visibility you can by making sure every glass surface is clear and transparent. Your side-view mirrors and all lights should be brushed and cleared as well. Clearing the snow from the rest of your car will prevent snow from sliding from your roof to your windshield as you decrease your speed. It will also prevent the snow from falling off your car and onto someone else’s windshield causing them to crash or rear end you. Law Enforcement requires you to have a completely unobstructed view from your vehicle. Also, take your car in for a winter check-up and check the next items throughout the winter.
Make sure your windshield washer reservoir is full
On a snowy or messy day, you can easily go through half a gallon or more of windshield washer fluid trying to keep your windshield clear.
Make sure your windshield wipers are in good shape
Be sure your current wiper blades clean the windshield well and allow you to see clearly in wet weather.
Keep your gas tank as close to full as possible
In the winter, if you do get stuck or stranded, the engine will be your only source of heat. You can run the engine at idle to stay warm as long as you have gas. Be sure to get out periodically and remove snow from around the tailpipe to keep it unobstructed. Make sure to crack your window for fresh air
When driving in the snow, do everything slowly
Keep in mind that driving in snow, sleet, and ice is very treacherous. And even if you maintain control of your car, not everyone else will. So don't ever get lulled into a false sense of security. Do everything slowly and gently. Remember, in the snow, the tires are always just barely grabbing the road. Accelerate slowly and gently, turn slowly and gently, and brake slowly and gently.