If you live in a climate with snow, ice, or even rain, your car needs to be equipped for the conditions. You should have winter tires on all four wheels and make sure they are inflated correctly. If you don’t know how to check tire pressure yourself, ask someone who does.
Your batteries need to be fully charged before the cold weather hits so that they can produce enough juice to start your engine when it’s really cold outside. Likewise, if you use battery-operated devices like cell phones or laptop computers in the car during winter months, make sure their batteries are fresh too.
Keep an emergency kit of blankets and hand warmers in your trunk because cars can quickly lose heat once windows fog up from condensation. It’s also a good idea to keep other supplies in your car like windshield washer fluid, an ice scraper, and some extra windshield wiper blades.
If you get stuck in the snow while driving, stay calm and remember that other drivers aren’t going to stop for you so you have to go slow and remain patient. If someone tries to stop but they can’t brake in time, don’t turn quickly or slam on the brakes because it will cause a chain reaction of collisions behind you. Keep a safe speed for conditions and drive slowly until help arrives or until conditions improve enough that you can safely pass the car blocking the road.
Here are some more useful tips:
1. Keep your gas tank full– the last thing you want during an emergency is to have to stop at a gas station when it’s closed because your tank is running low.
2. Keep small children in the back seat– this will keep them safer in case of an accident. Kids should also be wearing their seatbelt while traveling in the car no matter what position they’re sitting in (yes, even if they’re sitting on your lap).
3. Have warm clothes– including gloves, hats, scarves and blankets.
4. Leave extra time for traveling in the snow– it takes twice as long to stop when there’s snow on the ground! Make sure you leave the house early so you won’t be stressed or late getting where you need to go.
5. Use your mirrors correctly– It may sound silly, but using them properly can actually help you stay safe while driving during an icy storm. Wait until there’s at least five car-lengths between your car and the next before switching lanes or turning off onto another street or highway ramp. Also, don’t forget that if one mirror is fogged up , try checking out traffic via the mirror as well as checking both side view mirrors before switching lanes.
The snow is coming and it’s time to get your car ready. Follow these tips for driving in the snow, and you’ll be able to travel safely this winter season: If you are looking for a quality pre-owned vehicle, then visit the Binghamton Auto Exchange at 209 Vestal Parkway West in Vestal, NY or call us today at 607-754-9118.
