Winter Safety Tips:
- Never warm up your vehicle in an enclosed area such as a garage
- Clear snow and ice and defrost your vehicle
Helpful hint: don’t forget to clear the snow from the hood of your car. This will help keep the snow from flying up onto your windshield when you are driving. Snow also adds extra weight to a car which throws off performance.
- Make sure you keep your gas tank at least half full during the winter time – this will help to avoid a gas line freeze-up.
- Make sure your exhaust pipe is not clogged with mud or snow
- It may not always be possible, but try to avoid using your parking break in cold, rainy and snowy weather
- Double check that your tires are at the right PSI
Helpful hint: The change in temperature negatively effects your tire pressure. The tire pressure recommendations are usually listed somewhere on your vehicle or in the owner’s manual. Most cars are different, so double check the correct levels for your car
- Never use cruise control while driving on any slippery surface – especially rain or ice- Always wear your seatbelt
- Only drive well rested – you need to be extremely aware while driving in hazardous weather conditions
- Know the current conditions of the road you will be driving on
Tips for Driving in the Snow:
- Accelerate and decelerate slowly
- Allow extra space between you and the car in front of you – it takes longer to slow down or stop on roads that are covered with snow or ice.
Helpful hint: while the recommended following distance between cars is 3 to 4 seconds, during winter weather following distances should be increased to 8 to 10 seconds.
- Don’t try to speed up hills – if you apply too much force going up a hill, your wheels might start spinning.
Helpful hint: try to get your speed before you reach the hill and then let that speed help carry you up the hill so you don’t have to accelerate too much.
- Never stop while going up a hill if you don’t have to. Trying to restart once you have stopped on an icy hill is extremely difficult and dangerous.
- Stay calm if you start to skid – overcorrecting can cause more problems
Helpful hint: if the backend of your car starts to slide during a turn, slowly let off the accelerator and turn the steering wheel in the direction of the slide. This will help straighten out your car.
While driving during the winter months may be unavoidable, knowing how to stay safe on the road is a must. Your family-owned and operated car dealership near Jefferson City, Missouri is here to help. By following the tips we have provided you with and maintaining a safety-first mindset, you can help reduce the risks that are associated with driving in the upcoming winter months.
Proudly Serving the Columbia,
Jefferson City, and California, MO Areas
California, MO 65018
(888) 455-2107
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