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eTyres care about our customers. The
following article may be of interest.
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. 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 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 |
