As winter comes upon the country, it's vital to you and your family's safety that you are prepared with the proper equipment and kits to be ready for driving and emergencies. Take note of these winter driving tips for your survival.
Related:Winter Car Maintenance Tips
Winter Survival Driving Tips to Keep You Safe
Check your car's tires and fluids
A great place to begin with winter survival tips for driving is to check your car's tires and fluids.
Check to make sure that your tires are inflated to the proper pressure level. If in doubt as to that number, it is written on the side panel of your tires. Make sure the treads are good and that they are capable of handling snow and ice conditions. Many of the new tires on the market work very well but some people like to add extra traction with snow chains, snow shoes or tire coatings.
Inspect all your hoses and belts
In addition to your tires and fluids winter driving tips include making sure you inspect all your hoses and belts for any wear indications.
- Verify that your battery is in good condition and fully charged.
- Inspect the wipers.
- Switch to a thinner oil that performs well in cold weather
- Always keep your gas tank at least half full.
Have a winter survival emergency kit ready.
Once your vehicle is ready, you should focus on what items to carry for any emergencies.
Your trunk is the perfect place to keep an emergency kit which includes flares and a first aid kit along with other items such as blankets, sweatshirts, a shovel, flashlights, water and snacks.
Practice Safety Winter Driving Precautions
Winter survival tips for driving would not be complete without discussing precautions that can be taken for actual driving.
- Begin with making sure that all the snow and ice is cleaned off your windshield.
- Clean off snow from your tires before you shift the car into drive.
- To keep the wheels from spinning it is helpful to accelerate very slowly.
- Make sure you decrease your normal driving speed and allow at least twice the distance when you need to use your brakes.
Remember that things you normally do without thinking such as accelerating, braking and turning must now be done one at at time slowly and with caution.
- Make sure to never take any sudden actions and be ready to correct in case of any sliding.
Winter driving can be made quite safe as long as you are aware of winter survival tips for driving. By preparing your vehicle, keeping emergency supplies and learning defensive driving techniques you will find yourself among the safest of winter drivers.
Education and knowledge empowers people and puts safety first.
Watch this video of Smart Drive Test for more winter driving tips:
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Do you have any other winter driving tips? Please share with us in the comments section below.
