With the winter season in full swing, drivers are having to deal with things like ice, sleet and snow. While driving in these conditions are challenging at times, it is completely possible to drive safely during winter weather conditions. Here are a few tips to help you safely drive in the snow and ice.
**Full Disclosure: This is a compensated post. All opinions are my own.
Avoid using cruise control – While driving with cruise control may be almost second nature to many people, it can be unsafe to use in winter conditions. If your vehicle hydroplanes or skids in the rain, sleet, snow or ice and you have cruise control turned on, it will cause your vehicle to accelerate and will cause the wheels to spin rapidly, causing you to likely lose control of your vehicle.
Carry a winter emergency kit – Emergencies on the roadways can happen to anyone, at any time. It is important to be prepared for the worst-case scenario, especially during winter. Here are a few essential items you should have in your winter car kit- cell phone car charger, flashlight with extra batteries, foldable snow shovel, gloves/mittens, ice scraper, jumper cables, roadside flares, salt/sand/kitty litter, tow rope and wool or fleece blanket.
Keep your gas tank at least half full – During the winter months, you’ll want to keep your gas tank full at all times, or at the very least, half full. There are a few reasons for this. Should you become stranded or stuck in traffic, having enough gas in the tank will allow you to keep your car running for warmth. Also, condensation can build up in the empty areas of the gas tank. This condensation can drip inside the fuel lines and potentially freeze.
Make sure tires are inflated properly – For every 10 degrees that the temperature drops outside, tires will lose 1-2 pounds of pressure. Low tire pressure can result in decreased tire lifespan, increased stopping time and poor fuel economy. Keeping your tires properly inflated helps your car maintain durability, handling and traction.
Put on snow tires – If you live in an area where ice, snow, sleet or freezing temperatures are the norm in winter, snow tires may become your new best friends. Snow tires are designed to maintain traction in cold temperatures. Also, their treads are designed to provide better grip in cold, icy or snowy conditions and to prevent slush and snow from building up on the tires.
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