Tips For Winter Driving
Author: 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