winter roads

 

Winter roads can be tricky to drive on. There are three important keys to driving safe in the winter; stay alert, slow down, and have control of your vehicle. Remember to keep your gas tank sufficiently full – at least half a tank is recommended. Winter driving conditions such as rain, snow, and ice dramatically affect the braking distance of a vehicle. When handling slippery winter roads, the keys to safety are slower speeds, gentler stops and turns, and increased following distances. Drivers need to reduce their speed to half the posted speed limit or less under snowy road conditions.

Inspect the tires

 

Tire pressure usually lowers itself in winter and raises itself in summer. Under-inflated tires can cause a car to react more slowly to steering. Every time the outside temperature drops ten degrees, the air pressure inside your tires goes down about one or two PSI. Tires lose air normally through the process of permeation. Drivers should check their tire pressures frequently during cold weather, also adding enough air to keep them at recommended levels of inflation at all times.

Road conditions

 

Sand and salt play a big role in keeping roads safe. Spreading road salt prevents snow and ice from bonding to the road surface. Salt is spread early in a storm to prevent snow build-up and to aid in snow removal. You will want to leave enough room around snowplows to make sure that you do not run into them or have an accident. Being aware of the road condition, weather condition, and surroundings are important.

Windshield wipers

 

Correctly operating windshield wipers and defrosters are essential to safety while driving in snow and ice conditions. Properly maintained windshield wipers are a must. You can use special blades that are available to assist in the removal of snow from the windshield. The defroster effectiveness is essential in the initial clearing of snow and ice from the windshield. If you notice an issue with your vehicle or how it is heating, bring it in. We can inspect the vehicle for you.