| Tips
For Winter Driving
by: David
Maillie
Winter driving can be hazardous
and stressful. Wind, snow, ice and blizzard conditions
increase the normal dangers of driving. There
is a lot you can do before the winter driving
season and during a storm to protect yourself
and your family.
Before winter arrives, have your
car inspected to be sure it is ready for the road
conditions. You can do this yourself or take it
to a qualified mechanic. Check the battery, wipers
and fluid, thermostat, brakes, ignition system,
antifreeze, exhaust system, lights, oil level,
heater and defrosters. Make sure everything is
in good working order to keep you safe throughout
the cold weather.
Check your tires to be sure they
are road ready. Install tires that are appropriate
for the driving conditions. In moderate amounts
of snow, all weather radials will do the job nicely.
If you live in a climate where you experience
a lot of snow, consider snow tires. These have
better tread to deal with snow and ice.
Prepare an emergency kit to keep
in the back of your car. This will ensure that
you are prepared in the event that you get stuck
in the snow. Things to include in the kit:
Ice scraper
Small broom
Small shovel
Kitty litter or a bag of sand (to give traction
if you get stuck in snow or ice)
Blankets or a sleeping bag
Flashlight with batteries
Flares or warning triangles
Plastic bags
First aid kit
Tool kit
Jumper cables
Bright cloth to use as a flag
Help sign for back window
Extra hat and gloves
Food and water to sustain you if you get stuck
A book, Bible or Prayer Cards to keep you busy
and calm in the event you get stuck.
Charged cell phone (always carry this, especially
in the winter)
Keep your gas tank at least half
full at all times. This adds weight to the car
and will ensure that you won't run out of gas
in the event you get stuck.
Driving in the Snow
Pay attention to the weather forecasts
and road conditions in the winter months. If the
weather is bad, stay home if at all possible.
If you must venture out, travel in the daylight.
You are more likely to find help if you get stuck
during the day. Never warm up your vehicle in
the garage. This releases carbon monoxide, which
is toxic and can kill you.
When driving, always wear your seatbelt.
Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from the
glare of the sun reflecting off the snow. Know
your car and how it handles in the snow. Features
like traction control and antilock brakes can
be useful in bad weather conditions. Know how
these work and if your car is new, practice driving
it in a snow covered parking lot before venturing
out on the road.
Take it slow, especially in icy
conditions. Don't tailgate and be sure to allow
a safe distance between vehicles. Do everything
slowly, stopping, accelerating and turning. Leave
plenty of time and space to maneuver. Sliding
and skidding usually happen when turning, stopping
or accelerating. Going extra slow will ensure
your safety.
If the visibility is low, slow down
even more. Consider getting off highways and driving
even slower. This will take you out of the path
of large trucks that can cause accidents. Use
only your low beams, as your high beams will reflect
back off the snow and won't increase your visibility.
Turn on your hazard lights to be sure other drivers
see you.
In the event your car gets stuck,
don't get out. Put up the hood and tie your cloth
to the antennae. This will make you more visible
to emergency vehicles and other drivers. Keep
the windows, air grill and tail pipe clear of
snow. Wrap up in blankets and huddle up with passengers
to stay warm. Run the heat for fifteen minutes
each hour to keep from freezing. Move your body
around to stay warm.
Keeping your car clean throughout
the winter is important. Salt on the roads is
important for safety, but will wreak havoc on
the finish. If left on for long periods, it can
cause rusting. Wash your vehicle weekly to remove
salt and wax to protect the paint. Salt also leaves
a coating on your headlights that can impair their
operation. This will make you less visible to
other vehicles. New Lite Headlight Cleaner and
Restorer will return the lights to like new condition.
About The Author
David Maillie is a chemist with
over 12 years experience in biochemical research
and clynical analysis. He is an alumni of Cornell
University and specializes in biochemical synthesis
for public, private, and governmental interests.
He holds numerous patents including his recently
awarded patent for headlight cleaner and restorer.
He can be reached at M.D. Wholesale:
http://www.mdwholesale.com.
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