Driving around in the winter may present some challenges, but by taking some precautionary steps, you'll be better prepared for driving on those snowy roads and trails this winter.
Consider Winter Tires
If possible, it’s best to change out your regular all-season tires for winter tires in many areas of the nation. If snow and/or ice are pretty much a certainty in your near future, you might consider buying a set of tires specifically designed for winter driving. In some areas, it’s best to go with studded snow tires, but check your local laws first, as these tires are illegal in some areas.
Prepare Your Car
In addition to your tires, there are other things on your car that you need to check when it starts to get cold outside. For instance, you’ll need to make sure that your coolant is up to the job of preventing the engine block from freezing. If it has been five years or more since the last flush, now is a good time to flush out the radiator and change your coolant. You’ll also need to make sure that your heater works, and that your battery, starter, and alternator are in good condition.
A simple charging system test from your local mechanic should include a test of the battery, starter, and alternator. If your battery is marginal, consider going ahead and replacing it. Winter is the most common time for batteries to die, and you don't want to find yourself stranded with a dead battery in the middle of a snow storm. You should also make sure that your wipers are in good condition, and that your headlights and high beams work. Double check your taillights, turn signals, and side marker lights, too.
Take It Slow
Remember that speed limits are set based on perfect driving conditions. So, while it might be perfectly fine to do 55 mph on the highway when the sun is shining and it’s warm out, that’s not the case in the winter. Common sense should prevail here – slow it down. Always reduce your speed, and make sure to leave more space between you and the car in front of you than you would in good weather.
Get Your Chains Out
If you don’t invest in a set of studded snow tires, or snow is possible but studded snow tires aren’t legal where you live, you should invest in a set of tire chains. Again, these aren’t legal in all areas of the country – just in those where snow accumulation is the norm. Buy a set sized to fit your tires, and then make sure they stay in your trunk. This can help prevent you from being stranded if an unexpected snowstorm pops up. Of course, you need to make sure you know how to put your chains on. Practice several times if you’ve never had to do it before, or if you’re feeling a little bit rusty.
Keep a Winter Safety Bag on Hand
Winter is not the time to find yourself stranded and unprotected. Make sure that you have a wintertime safety bag, and that it’s fully stocked in your car. It should include extra clothing, a blanket or a sleeping bag, road flares, hand warmers (chemical-based) and anything else you might need to survive a night if you’re stranded somewhere without help and the mercury plummets. This can include a flashlight (with spare batteries), an ice scraper, gloves, and more. Wisconsin’s government has a good example of what you should pack in your kit – you can add or subtract from it as you need, but this is a great place to start.
Practice Driving on Snow and Ice
If at all possible, find an empty parking lot or another infrequently traveled area where snow and ice are present. Practice driving here to familiarize yourself with how your vehicle moves on slick surfaces, and how it reacts to different actions on your part. Take it slow, but go through all the maneuvers that you know.
Know How to Handle a Skid
The most common way that people find themselves in an accident in winter weather is by skidding out of control. It’s vital that you know how to handle a skid if you find yourself in one. Your first instinct will be to try to steer the car straight. That is, you’ll want to steer out of the skid. That’s not the right move, and it could result in flipping the car over. Instead, turn into the skid. So, if the car is skidding to the left, turn left as well.
Don’t Stop
If you’re driving on ice or snow and ice, try to avoid stopping if at all possible. This is particularly true for hills, but applies to level roadways, as well. Stopping could mean getting stuck if your tires lose traction. However, avoid the temptation to power up hills – this can make your tires spin. You’ll lose traction and possibly lose control of your car.
Stay at Home
If there’s serious winter weather in the forecast, consider just staying home unless you have no other option. Each year, hundreds of people across the country are stranded or involved in auto accidents in the winter simply because they decided they wanted to get on the road when they really did not have to do so.
Know Your Common Hazards
Depending on where you live, you’ll face a number of specific hazards. For instance, snow is pretty common in the Northeast and some western states like Utah. In the Southeast, ice is the issue. It’s actually easier and safer to drive on snow than on ice, but both surfaces require different precautions. In some instances, you might have ice overlaid by water, such as during storms with freezing rain or sleet. In this case, you’ll have very little traction in your car, and it’ll be very easy to lose control. Know the winter driving hazards that are most common for your particular area and then prepare for them accordingly.
Keep an Eye on the Weather
A prepared driver is a safer driver. Keep an eye on the weather and know what the forecast is for each day, particularly if you’re going to be driving around in it. Obviously, you will want to be prepared if there’s a major snow event on the way, but the same thing applies if you’ll be experiencing freezing rain, sleet, or just rain with the potential for the temperatures to drop below freezing before you can make it back home. Make sure that you watch the weather every day, and if possible, install a trusted weather app on your phone (The Weather Channel is one of the best options, but there are others that might be worth your time).
Conclusion
Ultimately, driving in the winter is dangerous, and it pays to be prepared. Make sure that your car is ready for the rigors of wintertime driving, and that you know how to handle the various situations that you might encounter. When you’re on the road in winter, caution should be the golden rule. However, if you can avoid getting on the road in the first place, this is the best possible decision, particularly if the weather is bad.
