Winter Driving Tips!
Old man winter can put an extra strain on your vehicle and its systems. He can also create some hazardous and unexpected driving conditions. Here are a few things you can do to minimize "his" impact on you and your vehicle:
Preparing Your Vehicle
Winter Driving Tips
Properly Jump-Starting Your Vehicle
What about a tune-up? It's a good idea to check the owner's manual to see if your vehicle is due, or past due, for a tune-up. A $20 to $50 tune-up now can seem like small change later when you're stranded on a cold winter's night. You might think about a coat of wax to protect against the salt, snow and ice.
Where the rubber meets the road. Check the condition of your tires (including your spare) now and replace any that are questionable. Tread depth and tire pressure will affect your traction and are critical for controlling your vehicle in snow, ice and rain. A simple test is the tride and true "penny test." Simply insert a penny (Lincoln's head first) into the tread of the tire. If the tread doesn't reach the top of Abe's head the tire should be replaced. Remember to check your tire pressure frequently (at least once a week) during the winter months. As temps drop, so does the pressure in the tires, as much as 1 pound-per-square-inch (psi) for every 10 degree drop in temperatures. One caution regarding studded tires; while studded tires offer improved traction in snow and ice, they can reduce traction on dry roads because the studs prevent the tires from truly gripping the road.
Are you charged up? Cold weather is hard on all batteries, so put your vehicle's battery at the top of your check list. What you can do? Check the condition of the battery's terminals and make sure they're tight and free from excessive corrosion. Look at the date of purchase typically found on the top of the battery with punch out numbers. A common rule of thumb is to replace the battery if there's less than one year left on its warranty but to be sure you can always take your vehicle to a qualified technician to determine its condition by use of a load-tester.
Make sure your vehicle gets plenty of fluids. You should do a thorough check of your vehicle's fluids and filters and don't forget about those belts and hoses. These include the oil, coolant, brake, power-steering and transmission fluids/filter/belts/hoses. Don't overlook the windshield washer fluid reservoir. If its low you might consider adding some commercial no-freeze fluid from a local auto parts store. This is also a good time to check the windshield wiper blades too. They're not expensive and fairly easy to replace. If the old blades can't clean the window in a couple of swipes, it's time for a change.
Don't forget your lights. Inspect and keep clean your vehicle's headlights, taillights, brake lights, signals, emergency flashers and fog lights. Remember, its now a Missouri state law to have your headlights on anytime you're required to have your wipers on.
Inside the car. Its a good idea to have some spare fuses for you vehicle's fuse panel. Make sure the heater and defroster work as well as the fan. Check the exhaust system for damage and leaks that could allow dangerous exhaust gases inside the vehicle. Remember, carbon monoxide gas is odorless and you'll probably be driving with your windows up.
Last but not least - FUEL. Throughout the winter, it's a good idea to keep the gas tank at least half full at all times to avoid gas lines freezing up.
1. Keep up-to-date on changing weather conditions. Avoid traveling, especially alone, if severe weather is threatening. Remember to inform someone at your destination of your expected arrival time and route.
2. You should equip your vehicle with the following winter driving equipment: an ice scraper with brush, small shovel, jumper cables, tow chain or rope, bag of sand or kitty litter, de-icer and possibly tire chains.
3. Don't forget about a winter emergency kit which should include: a flashlight, reflective triangles, first aid kit, blankets or sleeping bag, waterproof matches or other fire starting device and candle, towel, cell phone, multi-tool, large plastic bags, spare winter clothing, fresh drinking water and non-perishable high-energy foods (nuts, dried fruits, energy bars or cans of liquid nourishment).
4.
Starting out: thoroughly clean the vehicles windows and clean the snow off of the hood, roof and trunk. Snow left on the hood can blow into the front vents and cause defrosting problems, not to mention creating visual problems. Pay close attention to cleaning the headlights and taillights so others can see you as well.
5. On the road: start out slowly and plan ahead. Increase your following distances and remember that bridges and overpasses freeze first. Keep your speed slower than normal. Depending on the weight of your vehicle it can take you 3 to 12 times more stopping distance on icy roads than on dry ones.
6. When stopping, ease off the accelerator and use light steady pressure on the brake pedal to slow. If you have anti lock brakes you won't have to worry about locking your wheels on slick surfaces. If you begin to slide, remain calm, ease off the accelerator and turn the steering wheel into the direction of the skid (or the way you want the car to go). Once the car responds and begins to correct you will have to straighten the steering wheel and you can apply light steady brake pressure; applying more pressure if conditions allow. Remember, if you lock your front wheels you loose steering control. If you have anti lock brakes (ABS) simply apply firm steady pressure while steering. Never pump brakes with ABS and be prepared for your brake pedal to vibrate and make some noise. That's ok, its just the ABS system doing it's job.
7. If after all the best driving precautions you find yourself stranded, try to stay calm and stay put. Your chances of being rescued are usually better if you stay put. Stay in your car as much as possible to reduce the risk of frostbite or hypothermia. Try running your vehicle's engine for heat about once an hour (or every half hour in extreme conditions). Make sure your vehicles exhaust pipe is clear to prevent the back up of carbon monoxide and leave one window slightly open. Set out your reflective triangles, flares or tie some bright article of clothing on your antenna to alert others and use your cell phone to call for help.
Jump-starting a weak or dead battery correctly:
1. Position another vehicle with a healthy battery and your vehicle so that they do not touch each other and make sure both batteries are of the same voltage.
2. Check your owner's manual of both vehicles for any special directions.
3. Make sure the ignitions are off on both vehicles and set the park brakes with the vehicles in park.
4. You should wear safety glasses and gloves when using jumper cables.
5. Unless given different directions in the owner's manual, connect the jumper cables in this order:
1. Clamp/connect one end of the positive (+) jumper cable to the positive (+) post of the dead or weak battery.
2. Connect the other end of the same cable to the same marked post (+) of the charged battery.
3. Connect the second, negative (-) cable to the other post (-) of the charged battery.
4. Make the final negative (-) cable connection on the engine block of the stalled vehicle away from the battery.
6. Start the vehicle with the charged battery and let it run for a few minutes, then try starting the stalled vehicle.
7. Once started, remove the cables in the reverse order of connection, being very careful not to let the cable clamps touch each other or come in contact with car parts. Also, avoid the fans of the engines (electric fans may run without the engine running).
This general information is provided by the Missouri Safety Center as a public service. It is not meant to replace the specific information in your vehicle's owner's manual or the advice of a certified automotive technician.
